A Quiet New Year

"Music is not in the notes, but in the silence between them."

-Claude Debussy, French composer

Finding an oasis of silence in this world is a challenging treasure hunt.

But once silence is found and experienced

it becomes a daily dream-destination,

and we become deliberate about seeking it,

decided about finding it,

and determined to behold it.

Because once silence is felt,

the coarseness of noise is painfully abrasive.

Because once silence is audible,

the raucous is nearly unbearable.

Because once silence is known,

all other babble is folly.

The body, mind and spirit are already speaking in numerous ways.

It's loud and clear: constant noise is making us sick and tired.

“Teach me, and I will be quiet;

show me where I have been wrong." Job 6:24

Our human-made noise is causing untold pain.

Noise hurts our external environment

(impacting the behavior of creatures in the wild)

and our internal environment (affecting our body's chemistry,

or even a baby's growth in a mother's womb).

Our constant noise-making (and noise-seeking) is making for a party of pandemonium inside of us: illness, disease, discontent.

We need a long walk in the woods...

to be aware of our health condition.

We need a long walk in the woods...

to be aware of the Healer.

"Only by going alone in silence can one truly get into the heart of the wilderness," said naturalist John Muir (1888).

And only by going alone in silence can we get into the heart of the Creator.

For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him.

Psalm 62:5

We need a stretch of silence...

to experience what the Divine is speaking,

is intuiting,

is creating inside us.

The mystics, hermits, wise ones and seekers have found

that silence is the precursor to awareness,

an awareness which

affirms our identity,

connects us to the Divine both outside and inside of us,

and gives us connection to all Life.

"When you've been able to still all the noise inside of you,

when you've been able to establish silence, a thundering silence, in you, you begin to hear the deepest kind of calling from within yourself. Your heart is calling out to you. Your heart is trying to tell you something, but you haven't yet been able to hear it, because your mind has been full of noise."

-Thich Nhat Hanh in Silence: The Power of Quiet in a World Full of Noise

Yet silence is feared.

Researchers find that people prefer pain to silence,

to being alone with their thoughts, even for a few minutes.

When what is feared and avoided is what is Essential,

the body, mind and spirit are unanimous in the results:

Sickness.

Stunted growth.

Starvation.

Non-stop noise makes for chronic dis-ease:

rattling heads,

restless hearts,

repressed hope.

But we can learn a new way.

Quiet time is practice.

"Quietness is the classroom where you learn to hear My Voice."

-Jesus Calling, author Sarah Young

Quiet time is the fuel for our faith.

The more we receive in silent prayer, the more we can give in our active life.

~ Mother Teresa

Quiet time is power.

In repentance and rest is Your salvation,

in quietness and trust is Your strength." Isaiah 30:15

Quiet time is a critical habit.

Mother Teresa suggests a particular practice for the whole body:

Silence of the eyes, by seeking always the beauty and goodness of God everywhere, and closing them to the faults of others and to all that is sinful and disturbing to the soul. Silence of the ears, by listening always to the voice of God and to the cry of the poor and the needy, and closing them to all other voices that come from fallen human nature, such as gossip, tale bearing, and uncharitable words. Silence of the tongue, by praising God and speaking the life-giving Word of God that is the truth, that enlightens and inspires, brings peace, hope, and joy; and by refraining from self-defense and every word that causes darkness, turmoil, pain, and death. Silence of the mind, by opening it to the truth and knowledge of God in prayer and contemplation, like Mary who pondered the marvels of the Lord in her heart, and by closing it to all untruths, distractions, destructive thoughts, rash judgments, false suspicions of others, vengeful thoughts, and desires. Silence of the heart, by loving God with our heart, soul, mind, and strength; loving one another as God loves; and avoiding all selfishness, hatred, envy, jealousy, and greed.

* * *

May you seek and find ample silence in this New Year.