Keeping Quiet

Introduction

‘Keeping Quiet’ by Pablo Neruda is a deceptively simple poem about the need for a little bit of
soul-searching which may help us make peace with ourselves and others. It tells us how a
moment of silent introspection will make us realise the utter futility of our aggressive
endeavours. This project is an attempt to discover the ways man is harming the Earth and how
self introspection can play a role in reducing this damage.

Statement of purpose

Analysis of the poem: ‘Keeping Quiet’ leaves a message of universal brotherhood and peace. It
urges the readers to stop all sorts of aggression, including those towards the environment. The
role of the project is to discover the extent of damage humankind has inflicted on earth through
the medium of research and interview.

Certificate

This is to certify that the contents of this project file submitted by (Student’s Name) of class XII
is his/her bonafide work submitted to Narayana School, Barsat, under the guidance of Ms.
Trishita Bose for partial fulfilment of the requirements for AISSCE examinations of class XII.

_____________
Teacher’s Signature
_____________
Principal’s Signature

How far is man harming the earth?

Humans impact the physical environment in many ways: overpopulation, pollution, burning fossil
fuels, and deforestation. Changes like these have triggered climate change, soil erosion, poor air
quality, and undrinkable water. These negative impacts can affect human behavior and can
prompt mass migrations or battles over clean water.

Pollution is the introduction of harmful materials into the environment. These harmful materials
are called pollutants. Pollutants can be natural, such as volcanic ash. They can also be created
by human activity, such as trash or runoff produced by factories. Pollutants damage the quality
of air, water, and land.

Many things that are useful to people produce pollution. Cars spew pollutants from their exhaust
pipes. Burning coal to create electricity pollutes the air. Industries and homes generate garbage
and sewage that can pollute the land and water. Pesticides—chemical poisons used to kill weeds
and insects—seep into waterways and harm wildlife.

All living things—from one-celled microbes to blue whales—depend on Earth’s supply of air and
water. When these resources are polluted, all forms of life are threatened.

Pollution is a global problem. Although urban areas are usually more polluted than the
countryside, pollution can spread to remote places where no people live. For example, pesticides
and other chemicals have been found in the Antarctic ice sheet. In the middle of the northern
Pacific Ocean, a huge collection of microscopic plastic particles forms what is known as the
Great Pacific Garbage Patch.

Air and water currents carry pollution. Ocean currents and migrating fish carry marine pollutants
far and wide. Winds can pick up radioactive material accidentally released from a nuclear reactor
and scatter it around the world. Smoke from a factory in one country drifts into another country.

Relevance of Meditation and Self Introspection

For centuries, meditation has been practiced around the globe by millions of people. These
practices help transform their inner as well as external environment.

When one is struggling with their own mind and emotions, they have limited energy. Research
shows that we’re capable of physically transferring our stress to another person by our
hormones leaking through our skin. We also impact others around us with our own mindset -
positive or negative. When one feels calm, happy and peaceful, that’s when they can stretch
their circle of belongingness to others and the society.

Meditation increases our cognition and perception; not only does it create physical changes in
the brain's grey matter, but it also allows greater access to areas of the brain involved in higher
cognition. When we’re more aware of our inner environment, we also have a greater awareness of
our external environment.

When we’re aware, we’re able to see our surroundings in a new light - we’re actually able to
"see" the state of the world. A small example is when we drive down the roads in India. If one is
aware, there’s no way that they won’t be concerned with the state of plastic consumption and
littering on our streets; however, if we’re lost in the world of self created or external problems, all
the bigger issues are simply invisible.
With a greater sense of internal and external awareness, one is able to "see" the global issues
facing our world today. Without such awareness, the humdrum existence of life is enough to
overshadow everything else.

Self-introspection is the process of exploring and understanding oneself. It is also referred to as

"inner exploration" or “inner work”. Introspection helps you understand yourself better, an
important way to gain self-awareness.

Self-introspection is a gradual process that allows an individual to understand themselves better,

helps strengthen their emotions and thoughts, and improves psychological well-being by
facilitating identity development.

Self-introspection can be used as an important tool for increased personal growth and self-
awareness.

Interview with an environmentalist

Name - Nayantara Srivastava

Position - Working as the head of Young Environmentalists

How has environmental issues affected you and your community?

She said that are several environmental issues that significantly affect me and the people that
live in my community. One is extractivist projects, especially those done by mining companies,
because they endanger the water sources and biodiversity of the region. Another issue is
monocultures which are affecting the biodiversity of our mountains and endangering species
representative of our region. Finally, there are hydroelectric projects that break the balance and
dynamics of the flows and tributaries of water which modifies the ecosystem and social relations
of the organisms that inhabit these territories.

What environmental problems are important to you? How are you working to solve it?

She says that one of the main environmental problems is the presence of mining-energy
extraction projects. As an active participant in environmental organisations, she is engaged in a
lot of political advocacy addressing this issue. This includes the collective development of
agreements, community life plans and mandates regarding the use of land and water, and the
creation of a “dream” map of the municipality in connection with the other neighbouring
municipalities. They work to bring visibility to these agreements in local and regional political
spaces.

They also work to ensure that children and young people have spaces for real participation, from
the recognition of our territory to sustainability and agro-ecological schools, artistic
representations. They create spaces where, in addition to learning, we can reflect and make
decisions about the present and future of our territory.

What inspired you to take action on environmental issues?

She was inspired by the idea of a future where everything beautiful around her could be
destroyed by extractivist companies that only seek to make a profit. And worse still, that they
manipulate and take advantage of people with economic difficulties to receive social recognition.

Why is it important to recognise children’s right to a healthy environment?

She says it allows the young people of the world, to develop in a better way, both physically and
socio-emotionally, since they can live in a healthy and harmonious environment, where we live
with the other forms of life on the planet.

Conclusion

In an age which accepts rush in a celebratory gesture, Keeping Quiet is a gentle reminder what
life can be like in a brief moment of a silent pause. This message instantly resonates with our
fast paced life which is the cause of destruction of environment and the depletion of its
resources. The theme of quietude and stillness is accompanied with the themes of peace,
pacifism, fellowship, solidarity, brotherhood, justice and ecological conservation. To keep quiet is
to stay still and understand that one is a thread, woven within the exquisite fabric of the cosmic
order. It is to identify oneself with all and in doing so, escape the “sadness of never
understanding ourselves“.

Bibliography

● Flamingo, NCERT
● www.litbug.com
● www.hercircle.com