Intervals of Silence
Terri and I both really have loved silence, especially in the morning hours. It is our sacred time together. This one of our favorite memories of our long Camino walk. Not that we did not talk during out day of walking, it just worked out that many parts of our day we walked in silence.
“Sounds and emotions detach us from ourselves, whereas silence always forces man to reflect upon his own life.” (The Power of Silence, by Robert Cardinal Sarah)
I thought this quote, from a book I am reading on silence, was profound. It speaks to why silence in our lives is so important, I believe. We need it so we can go deeper into ourselves and to reflect upon our life. When we do this interior rest and harmony can flow from us.
Yet the reality for us today is silence is a rare commodity. We live in a fever of movement and activity. We become accustomed to permanent background noise, which sickens us yet assures us. We become addicted to it strangely. But why? I suspect as the quote above suggests, because it keeps from confronting ourselves. It keeps us from staying quiet long enough that we might explore deeper into lives and our relationship with others.
“The only person you should try to be better than, is the person you were yesterday” Unknown
Maybe this quote is the secret to why we need “intervals of silence” in our lives. We need it so we can become “better versions of ourselves”. It seems to me, it is critical too living with others. I find when I am silent, I am able to hear, to listen and to welcome better. I look at things I said or did and recognize the need to change. I may see how I could be more charitable and giving to someone that comes to my mind. It seems to me that most beautiful things in my life take place in silence.
“All the unhappiness of men arises from one single fact, that they cannot stay quietly in their own chamber.” Blaise Pascal
So, what shall we do? How do I find time for some “intervals of silence” in my life? It seems first we need to break out of the habit of having constant noise around us. Recognize how important silence is for you. One of the best ways is to simply go for a walk. Another idea is to get up early before your day “roars to life”. There are times in all our lives for silence but we need to look for them, to carve them out of our day.
“What will become of our world if it does not look for intervals of silence?” (The Power of Silence, by Robert Cardinal Sarah)
May grace and blessings of silence abound in your lives,
John
Photograph of the Week
This image was created from a photograph I took at Manzanita Beach, Oregon.
“Blue Skies Photography” is moving to creating more of these kinds of images. Photographs transformed into “Photographic Art” in my digital darkroom. I hope to get back to sharing more of my Photographic Art that I will be printing on canvas at some Holiday Markets later this year.
weareallpilgrims 