Finding the Signal in the Noise
Before I ever considered becoming a psychotherapist, I studied radiologic sciences in undergrad—Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Computed Tomography (CT), and Radiation Therapy. It was during that time I encountered a concept that has stayed with me ever since: signal versus noise.
Signal is meaningful information that’s being communicated. In MRI and CT, it’s the data coming from the body that helps form a clear image.
Noise is everything else: the random interference or distractions that make it harder to capture or interpret that information accurately.
What a perfect metaphor for life!
In a world flooded with notifications, opinions, and endless input, many of us feel like we’re drowning in noise, while the deeper signal gets lost beneath it all.
So the question becomes:
How do we rediscover the signal in the midst of all of this noise?
“The rush and pressure of modern life are a form, perhaps the most common form, of its innate violence. To allow oneself to be carried away by a multitude of conflicting concerns… is to succumb to violence.
—Thomas Merton
It’s all around us…
The onslaught of competing information that’s being hurled at us from every direction.
It’s in the constant buzzing of cell phones, the flashing of televisions, the bold claims on billboards and magazine covers, and perhaps most distracting of all, the relentless opinions of others.
“Look at this!”
“Buy this!”
“Be this!”
We’ve become lost in a sea of noise.
It’s no wonder that rates of executive functioning challenges and other mental health issues are soaring. Our attention is pulled in so many directions that our capacity to focus and think clearly is quickly slipping away. With this, we’ve nearly forgotten how to genuinely listen to ourselves, to one another, and to the world with compassion and respect.
Even so, it’s still possible to listen again…
There is a way to tune back into a deeper signal that brings wholeness, peace, and clarity.
“There is a voice that doesn’t use words. Listen.”
—Rumi
Just like the noise, the signal is also all around us, but it’s much more subtle…
It doesn’t shout or demand our attention. It doesn’t flash, buzz, or interrupt. Instead, it waits quietly and consistently beneath the surface of things. The signal can be thought of as the still, small voice within, and it emerges when we slow down, let the noise settle, and begin to genuinely listen…
It is felt when we deeply connect with a fellow human being.
It is heard in the way the wind whooshes through the treetops.
It is sensed when we sit in the loving silence of deep meditation.
When we attune ourselves to the signal, it can feel as though we merge with the surrounding world. Boundaries fade away, and we enter into a continuous experience of oneness with life. It’s what some describe as a religious or mystical experience, and what Maslow called a peak experience.
This is perhaps the most vital and restorative state we can allow ourselves to return to, and the more time we spend there, the more of a peaceful, compassionate, and joyful individual we become.
How, then, can we grow closer to the quiet signal beneath the noise?
“The answer to your problem is to see who has it.”
—Ramana Maharshi
The signal never goes away. It is always there, quietly present beneath the noise.
Our brains and bodies act like antennae, constantly picking up on the various signals around us. The signal we choose to tune into—the one we focus on most consistently—is the one that becomes strongest.
When we continually give our attention to the noise of the world, we naturally become more confused, distracted, and anxious. Our internal clarity becomes clouded.
On the other hand, when we tune into the subtle signal that is already inherent within us, we begin to feel more internally quiet, peaceful, and stable. The mind settles. The nervous system softens.
We can increase our signal-to-noise ratio by continuously returning to that signal and developing an intimate relationship with it.
This can be done through simple, intentional practices such as:
Prayer or quiet reflection
Silent meditation that draws attention inward
Deep, present listening with those we care about
Unhurried time in nature, creating space to observe and listen
Small, gentle reminders throughout the day to return to the present moment
The more often we engage in these kinds of practices, the more natural it becomes to remain connected to the signal. Over time, the noise begins to fade into the background. What remains is a more peaceful and grounded connection to ourselves, to the people we love, and to the world around us.
According to modern neuroscience, this is not just a poetic metaphor—it’s observable in the brain.
Research from the University of Wisconsin–Madison found that long-term meditators show sustained gamma brainwave activity, which is associated with mental clarity and present-moment awareness. This shows that with regular practice, the brain can reshape itself. Through a process called neuroplasticity, we can become more calm, focused, and connected over time.
In other words, clarity doesn’t come from the outside or from the noise of the world. It begins within, through reconnecting with the subtle signal of stillness within.
May we rediscover the signal beneath the noise, return to it often, and find peace in its quiet strength.
Max Kristopher Komes
www.MaxKomes.com
Max Komes is a master’s-level mental health professional and author in Pensacola, Florida. His philosophy is that each and every individual holds wellsprings of wisdom within them, and with the right tools, can access this wisdom to live purposeful, healthy, and resilient lives.
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This writing is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. If you have imminent health concerns, please call 1-800-NAMI.
