The Spiritual Discipline of Silence

Richard J Foster put it this way, “Whether alone or among people, we always carry with us a portable sanctuary of the heart.”

Let’s begin by defining silence. This is not necessarily the silence of physical noise, although it can involve that, this is the silence of inner thought. The noise we want to avoid is defined as distraction. Thoughts or sounds the draw us away from having to be present in a moment, from being self-aware and aware of other people. 

I spend a lot of time in silent thought, trying to work out problems, organize projects, understand situations in my mind. All of that isn’t bad, the problem is I never stop. When I have opportunities for physical solitude, I spend them filling my mind with noise. Why? Because true silence makes me uncomfortable. 

In these moments of silence, when we stop distracting ourselves with all the worries and plans and other distracting notions we actually come face to face with ourselves and we don’t like that – we don’t like looking in the mirror – more like staring at a mirror. T.S. Elliot once observed, “Where shall the world be found, where will the word resound? Not here, there is not enough silence.”

But there’s something more there in the silence that we don’t give ourselves time to discover. Mother Teresa puts it this way, “Settle yourself into solitude and you will come upon Him [God] in yourself.” 

This is why we see Jesus almost constantly going to lonely and desolate places in scripture. To silence His mind and focus on God that He might hear Him. This is why, in 1 Kings 19 God wants to speak to Elijah and the scripture makes a point to say that God did not speak when the wind “tore the mountains and broke into pieces rock”, nor did He speak in the earthquake that followed, nor could Elijah hear Gods voice when a great fire passed by. It was in the quiet that followed, when God had Elijah’s full attention, no distraction that Elijah could hear God’s “still small voice”. God got Elijah’s attention and whispered so Elijah had to focus on listening.

This is why Foster says, “Though silence sometimes involves the absence of speech, it always involves the act of listening.” Ecclesiastes 5:1-2 Solomon the wise said, “To draw near to listen is better than to offer the sacrifice of fools. Be not rash with your mouth, nor let your heart be hasty to utter a word before God, for God is in heaven, and you upon earth; therefore, let your words be few.”

If you are waiting for a “how to” piece there it is. Your intention must be to listen. Sometimes I whisper in my preaching or when I am talking to my kids because I know that everyone will strain to listen more if I do. They will have to focus on listening. Speak your questions but then listen. And don’t break the silence to say “I can’t hear you.” Just keep listening. 

Foster tells us that loneliness is inner emptiness, but solitude is inner fulfillment. Both can be experienced in the midst of a crowd.

Right now, you have a unique opportunity to go off to desolate or lonely places as Jesus did often and listen to the Lord. 

When you do be patient. If you can’t hear Him there is a good chance you still have some noise playing in your brain. It is a discipline learned only through practice. At first it will feel uncomfortable and silly. But before you know it, those silent moments will become the greatest moments of your day. 

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