Quiet

I am very much looking forward to the “quiet morning” we are hosting at St. Columba’s. Time marked by silence and contemplation is an important piece of the spiritual life. Seeking God in silence is probably one of the most neglected forms of prayer. It may be that we don’t know quite what to do in the silence. It may be that we don’t like what we hear in the silence.

Please don’t let potential discomfort or fear keep you away. Please allow me to offer you a few suggestions about engaging the silence.

First, choose a simple word of phrase that has the capacity to gently capture your attention. It could be a simple and short line from the Bible. It could be a word or phrase from one of the meditations that will be available at the “ quiet morning.” It could be any word or phrase that focuses you.

Internally, repeat the word. When you start thinking about work, repeat the word and let work go. When you think of your grocery list, repeat the word. When you think of some perceived slight, repeat the word. Let your word help you push extraneous thoughts gently from your attention.

Finally, be aware of the silence and listen to it. What is happening as you become attentive to the silence? What do you hear in the silence?

If you are not able to be with us on the “quiet morning,” you can employ the simple method above wherever you are. Use it whenever you are able. Twenty minutes is a good starting point. Twice a week is a fine beginning.

In closing, I leave you with a snippet from 1 Kings. The prophet Elijah was beaten down and in need of God’s presence. God was found in the sheer silence.


1Kings 19:11   He said, “Go out and stand on the mountain before the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by.” Now there was a great wind, so strong that it was splitting mountains and breaking rocks in pieces before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake; 12 and after the earthquake a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire; and after the fire a sound of sheer silence.