Finding God (and yourself) Through Silence
"When life is heavy and hard to take, go off by yourself. Enter the silence. Bow in prayer... Wait for hope to appear." ~Lamentations 3:28
I wish I could shout it out from the rooftops: SILENCE WILL CHANGE YOUR LIFE! We live in a world that often seems so insane. Between traffic jams, the ever-expanding presence of “personal” technology devices, workplace noise, family chatter and just… living, silence is truly a rare commodity. And a gift I can’t live without.
Just being quiet can provide so much. If I have a problem and I’m looking for a solution, so often, silence is the way to it. Trying to tap into my creativity? I jump on the quiet train. When I’m stressed out and feeling like I’m going to lose it, silence will coddle me like a newborn baby.
The Dalai Lama once said, “Silence is sometimes the best answer” . . . and clearly he knows what’s up.
Like so many other things that actually work, this sounds counterintuitive. You would think that if you were emotionally hurting, for example, the best medicine would be to talk about it, over and over again. And yes, that can help . . . but I’ve found silence or silent reflection will typically connect me with something bigger than myself. And that is where the real solutions to the real problems can often be found.
Society, on the other hand, would have you think, “Doing more will lead to gaining more.” WRONG.
My experience has been that sitting in silence for some time everyday leads to considerably a richer, more positive existence than running around like a chicken with its head cut off ever could. I’m not saying, “Sit around all day in a dark room.” That’s obviously extreme. I’m just saying, “Give yourself a break and cut out the noise long enough to get yourself back to center.”
Stillness Speaks by Eckhart Tolle, an enlightened and enlightening discussion of spirituality in all its glory (and the role of cultivating one’s sense of presence), conveyed with both Eckhart’s wisdom and gentle wit. Probably better suited for experienced seekers and practitioners, although those newcomers to his brand of spiritual philosophy will likely enjoy it, too. Read the Book >
I have a theory. It has been my experience that everything we need to know is already inside of us. We just need to get quite long enough to listen. It’s like every cell in our body is filled with information, and the way to access it all is to shut the hell up and really listen.
The Universe is constantly whispering to us. “Turn right, turn left, call that person, don’t date that person,” etc. But if we’re constantly allowing ourselves to be distracted, how are we supposed to hear the Ultimate Advisor? The Cosmic Navigator? We are all continuously being guided, but unfortunately, most peeps are too busy texting to actually hear their inner GPS.
I have come to know this to be true: we need to touch our inner soul for change to occur. There is a fullness inside of you that only can be tapped into through silence. That is why meditation is such a powerful practice.
Look it this way, when you dive into your own inner silence, you’re able to pick up the cosmic phone and dial up the Universe. And you know what the cool part is? When you’re in the depths of silence, God will oftentimes actually pick up.
“Silence is the language of God. All else is poor translation.”
~Rumi
There is a fullness in silence that you just can't get anywhere else. And it is its own intelligence. Think of it as going to the best therapist money can buy, except it’s free and available to all of us, at all times.
"Be still, and let the earth sing to you. There is magic to be experienced."