Authentic silence: The gateway to peace
For many of us who live in the city, we are constantly immersed in
noise and publicity - two elements of modern urban life that can
distract us from the value of silence. In the book, "In the Heart
of the City, In the Heart of God", the fourth chapter is solely
dedicated to the importance of authentic silence.
The book teaches that we should avoid false silence: being glum,
taciturn, or torpid. We should go for authentic silence - that
silence which is obtained through prayer and reflection. And the
book says that Mary knows the secret of this authentic silence -
for she treasured her memories faithfully and pondered them in her
heart.
Even while in the heart of the city, we can learn the secret of
inner silence. We can cultivate this inner silence if we take time
to sit down (or kneel), free our mind and heart of internal noise,
let everything in us settle down, until God's Word and Light comes
to us from His tranquil silence. Once deeply rooted in this
spiritual silence, even at work, in the street, coming or going,
alone or by public transport, we bear within us that key used to
open ourselves to inner silence. When we learn well the art of
interior silence, it will be the gateway for our peace of soul.
The book also speaks of several kinds of silence: silence of the
lips, silence of the heart, and silence of our whole being. The
keys to open ourselves to these three kinds of silence are
(respectively): avoiding idle words, calming unruly affections,
and avoiding external noise. These three kinds of silence will
keep us inwardly calm - a calmness that leads us to greater love
of God.
Silence is especially helpful when we are troubled, tempted, or
tired. It will teach us self-control, restraint, and self-
mastery. Silence will help us lose bad habits, purify us from
much inward chatter, and help us find sincere words to use when we
speak with others. If we constantly discipline ourselves to find
time for prayer, then we shall reap the fruit of silence.
According to author Delfieux, it is "in the crucible of silence",
that we will learn holiness, since silence is the door to humility
and contemplation and mercy. Silence will eventually lead us to
God's presence - wherein we shall rediscover our own life and the
world from the context and ground of God's Light and Love.
Lastly, the chapter on silence teaches us of the great
silence of each evening. For night is an immense mystery. It
is in this nocturnal silence that we are called to watch and pray.
If we make it a good habit to enter into this great silence
each evening, it will help us to sleep better. For silence will
comfort us, assuage us from all inner turmoil, and help us to
trust calmly in a God who keeps watch over us during the whole
night by sending our guardian angel.
posted by Dennis Emmanuel Cabrera @ 7:46 PM
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