Quiet, Silence and Solitude

       During a recent conversation I was asked, “How do I see my life as a 17-year old compared to someone who is 17 in 2019?”  I have thought about that question several times since the conversation. Of course, there are differences and similarities, some obvious and some not so obvious.There is however one difference or perceived difference that keeps creeping into my thinking.  

       I think I had a lot more time to be quiet. A few examples will suffice. At home we had a radio and a television. There were no electronic devices in any bedroom.  We walked and worked and read without earbuds. At school we exchanged classes in silence (or at least that was the teachers’ goal).  We had monthly days of reflection consisting of two or three talks and no talking for the whole school day.These practices would be foreign to most 17-year-olds I know.

       The result for me was the ability to experience and to be comfortable with solitude.Taking a walk in the woods or lying on my bed looking at the bare ceiling provided opportunities to be alone with my thoughts and to be alone with God. I had learned to listen for that “Soft Breeze” that brought calm and clarity to life. Fortunately, my foundation was great. My parents were models. Mother had a chair in the bedroom. We knew this was the time to not disturb her. My father was a salesman who travelled do both urban and rural grocery stores. Drive time was quiet time. Even his rosary had a special hanger on the dashboard to hold his place. I am grateful for my opportunities that have made God a friend forever.

       I do worry that this dimension of solitude is minimalized in the current graduates. I hope and pray that in their heightened activities and noise-filled lives there are some pauses that allow God to be found and time spent with God to be nourished. The rewards are tremendous.

            Sr. Mary Rabe, OSB

Think about it

         In our infirmary on the nurses’ desk, there is a small blackboard which has a new saying every day. This one caught my eye. “Silent and listen are spelled with the same letters. Think about it.” My immediate thought was, “The first word in the Rule of Benedict is ‘listen.’” Later I thought, “The Rule has a chapter on silence.” Finally, I thought, “This would be a good topic for my upcoming blog.”

          I believe it was Carl Jung, the noted psychologist, who said, “People pay $100.00 an hour just to have someone listen to them.” To be a good listener we must give our full attention to the one speaking. That is, we must silence all the voices inside and out. We ought not to be planning dinner menu for the next day or what we will say when the person is finished talking or what have to do at the office the next day. It takes discipline to be attentive and to recognize and still our inner voices.

          At worship and at prayer it is necessary to have inner silence to be present and active. Again, from experience we know how difficult it is to still the inner voices that keep from listening and participating. We have to let go and keep returning to the inner silence. (One writer says that he makes distraction part of his prayer.

          Even to enjoy fully a spring day we need to be inwardly still so that we can hear the sounds around: the birds singing, the branches swaying and the crickets doing whatever it is that they do!

          Regarding our relationship with God, Scripture says simply, “Be still and know that I am God.” (Ps. 46:10)

          Silent and listen are spelled with the same letters. Think about it. 

          Sr. Justina Franxman, OSB

Silence and Word

“A word is dead when it is said, some say
I say it just begins to live that day.”    Emily Dickinson

          Emily Dickenson, a master of words, would probably agree with St. Benedict’s advice that we should choose our words with care. Has anyone ever encouraged you: “Take heed of what you say”, or “Speak from your heart”?  How many times have you heard, “A wise man (woman) is known by the fewness of his (her) words”?

          St. Benedict understood the power of words and of silence.  He lived three  years as a hermit before his journey moved him along a communal path.  He was well grounded in silence; silence that leads to awareness and deepens communion with God, with others.

          In chapter 4 of his Rule, he refers to speech: “Never give a hollow greeting of peace….speak the truth with heart and tongue” (RB 4 2:25, 28), and,”Do not grumble or speak ill of others.”(RB 4 39-40) And again, “Guard your lips from harmful or deceptive speech”.  (RB 4 51)

          In chapter 6, Benedict speaks of restraint.”I have resolved to keep watch over my ways that I may never sin with my tongue.” (Ps. 38)   He condemns vulgarity and gossip and malicious speech.  But more to the point here, he upholds an environment in the monastery conducive to seeking God.

          In community, we know that it takes deliberate times of brief or prolonged practice to walk in the silence that leads to awareness.  This third week of lent our communal  reflection topic is speech.   May the Word live on and flower in each and all of us as we continue our journey!     Sr. Sharon Portwood, OSB