Lesson 4: Soul Tending Inward through Stillness and Silence
(See Soul Tending, pages 36-39)
Food is satisfying. We feel its effects in a full stomach, increased energy, and improved mental focus. We expect to eat three meals a day plus snacks. None of us like to go too long without a bite to eat, something to fill ourselves up. Think of a time when you were really hungry. How did you feel when you finally got to eat?
The spiritual writer Morton Kelsey compares our physical need for food with our spiritual need for silence. He says that as the body needs regular food intake to sustain health, the soul needs regular periods of silence in order to thrive.
Silence can be frightening. One person once said, “I don’t know what to do with silence. I always have music or the television on, even if I’m alone and have no one to talk to.” Does this sound familiar?
Our world is filled with sounds. We are rarely in total silence. Writer Dallas Willard challenges his readers to consider their inner emptiness if they must always surround themselves with noise. Take time right now to sit absolutely quiet for one minute and discover what you hear when your voice is silent.
Read the story of the prophet Elijah and how he met God at Horeb (1 Kings 19:9-15). This passage occurs when the prophet ran away becasue Queen Jezebel threatened to kill him. Elijah is discouraged and wants to die because he feels his life’s work is a failure. Yet, what happens? Elijah in his experience does not find God in the wind. The Lord was not in the earthquake. The Lord was not in the fire. When Elijah finally faced the sheer silence or still, small voice, he heard God. What does this story say to you?
For centuries the breath prayer has existed as a way to connect with God. For some it is a way to befriend the silence; it gives you something to do as you begin to experience holy silence. As you repeat the prayer, its words eventually become background so you can be open to hearing what God may be saying. You can choose your own breath prayer and then repeat it over and over in rhythm with the inhale and exhale of your breath. First, choose a simple phrase that summarizes what you may need from your relationship with God right now. You may choose a line from a song or a phrase of Scripture, as long as it is not too wordy (for instance, inhale “Jesus”, exhale “Christ”).
HOMEWORK: (1) Take a silent walk by yourself through your neighborhood. Use this time of meditation, of opening yourself to God. Try to use your senses to appreciate the beauty of creation around you. (2) Find a place where you can be yourself in silence. Read Isaiah 43:1-5, substituting your own name for “O Jacob” in verse one. Get comfortable and take a few breaths. Then read the personalized verses from Isaiah over and over, slowly. Imagine God speaking these words directly to you. (3) Designate a period of time when you will fast from words. (4) Find a time where you can be still and in silence, and practice your breath prayer.
REFLECT: How is stillness and silence transform your relationship with God, and your relationship with others?