SILENCE & STILLNESS

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Silence and stillness are basic components of contemplative prayer.

 

You will generally not hear God while you are talking, or when someone else is talking.  This is why monks and nuns -- who devote their lives to seeking oneness with God -- are so often silent.  This is also one of the reasons why there should be silence in a church.

The rule in a monastery was not "Do not speak," but "Do not speak unless you can improve on the silence." Might not the same be said of prayer?
Anthony de Mello, Taking Flight

Prayer … really is a silent surrendering of everything to God because it is not quite clear to me how I should pray.
Søren Kierkegaard, Journals

Being silent, however, is only the prelude to stillness.  It's not enough to be silent, you need to find inner stillness.  Be silent, stop fidgeting, calm your soul and let God be with you.

Be still, and know that I am God
Psalm 46:10

God is all around us, all the time.  Babies hear, and children often do, but as we get older, we allow the things of this world and our own egos to get in the way.  With a little attention, you can relearn the listening skills you were born with. 

Sacred Space I was hornswoggled into attending a meeting at St. Paul's a month or so ago.  The topic was unannounced but I showed up because someone I was beholden to asked me to attend.  The meeting was about sacred space.  Truly I can say to you that when I left I didn't know much more than when I arrived.  It was all rather mysterious to me, but then, many things are.  Oh yeah, the church was sacred space, I knew that.  Somebody pointed out that church music is sacred space.  I never thought of that.  Somebody on the Altar Guild pointed out that the Reserved Host is always present at the high altar.  I knew that, but it's not usually in the forefront of my consciousness.  Recently, I was reading the Rule of Benedict, and Chapter 52, “On the Oratory of the Monastery,” got my particular attention.  Let the oratory of the monastery be what it is called, a place of prayer; and let nothing else be done there or kept there.  When the Work of God [liturgy] is ended, let all go out in perfect silence, and let reverence for God be observed, so that any brother who may wish to pray privately will not be hindered by anther's misconduct. Benedict was talking about sacred space.  Let nothing else be done there?  Perfect silence? Like most Anglicans, I always pray briefly before Mass, just to settle down and prepare for the liturgy.  It's annoying when someone behind me is talking when I'm trying to pray.  When I get down with my praying, however, and look over the service leaflet, I've frequently pointed something out to my wife and made free with a comment or two.  That didn't annoy me at all. After the Mass, it is also my habit to take a few quiet moments to bring myself back into the ordinary world.  It is sometimes difficult when people around you erupt into chatter.  Just a few weeks ago, I was rising from my prayers and was approached by someone with a question.  I started to respond even while Jim Mouw was still playing the organ.  Then it hit me.  Music.  Sacred space.  Around me people were still kneeling.  Others sitting with their eyes closed.  The Body of Christ in the tabernacle of the high altar.  I shut my mouth and motioned toward the Guild Room.  The light bulb came on over my interrogator's head as well and we processed out in silence to continue our conversation where it wouldn't interfere with anyone else.  I get it now.  Church is for praying.  Coffee hour is for talking. Original sin is thinking about oneself.  I fancied I was doing pretty well because at least I didn't talk during Mass.  Father, forgive me for I have sinned.  I also apologize to all those who have had to listen me in the Church while they were trying to pray. -Steven Olderr Reprinted from Feast or Fast, March, 2004

When you understand the principles of silence and stillness, you have the tools to listen to God.  Fortunately, He's easy to locate.
 

Is Your Receiver On? The man whispered, "God, speak to me" And a meadowlark sang. But, the man did not hear. So the man yelled "God, speak to me" And the thunder rolled across the sky. But the man did not listen. "God let me see you." And a star shone brightly. But the man did not notice. And the man shouted, "God show me a miracle" And a life was born. But the man did not know. So the man cried out in despair, "Touch me God, and let me know you are here". Whereupon, God reached down and touched the man. But the man brushed the butterfly away and walked away unknowingly. Ravindra Kumar Karnani (Translated from the Hindi)  This little story say a lot about us as individuals in a world that  emphasizes and believes in the static and instantaneous.  We tend to roll along not expecting anything much from our lives.  However, if we decide it's time for something new and powerful, it needs to happen now -- to provide instant gratification. But remember, we are receivers as well as transmitters, and maybe it time to turn up the receiver, muffle the transmitter, and just listen.  All the miracles that surround you are just below the surface and interior. Sometimes we're so busy responding to the obvious, we fail to see the true nature of things. An article from The Outside In, Vol. 4, No. 1, Spring, 2004, reprinted in the Peoplecare newsletter