“Words stand between silence and silence: between the
silence of things and the silence of our own being. Between the silence of the
world and the silence of God. When we have really met and known the world in
silence, words do not separate us from the world nor from other men, nor from
God, nor from ourselves because we no longer trust entirely in language to
contain reality.”
-Thomas Merton
Our spoken words, few and far between during our period of
silence and solitude, have taught us something about their power. Perhaps we have noticed that, in the absence
of a conversation we might have had about another person, we have had more time
to focus mindfully on our own inner growth.
The distractions of everyday living, often lived out in dramas large and
small, have been turned off. Gossip
about events and people has been rendered insignificant. Truth in our study of words spoken by men and
women of great faith and intellect has loomed larger.
When we return from any period of solitude and silence to a
circumstance where we re-engage our spoken word, one of the ancillary benefits
of our period of reflection will be that our word will take on a new, perhaps
forever-altered, significance.
My word is my bond.
It holds the power of identification with who I am, and what I stand
for. It takes up space in my mind as I
shape it, time in my day as I speak it, and a piece of my soul as I remember
it. My word also invokes reaction and
response, which can have the power to stay with me and influence my journey.
A benefit we seek from silence and solitude is a
re-commitment to living in truth and harmony on our outward journey, and as a
consequence, finding peace and serenity in our inward journey. For the rest of our lives, we will alternate
between those two paths – inner reflection and outward encounter. While we are reforming our mindset, perhaps
we can think ahead about the ways in which our past behavior, through words and
actions, has damaged our relationships with self and others, so that we may
redirect our future behavior, words and actions toward a more purpose-driven
identity.
What does my word say about me?
You are a gift from God. I cannot imagine your research and total thoughfulness of others.
ReplyDeleteI loved this!
ReplyDeleteAmen. ! Love your yesterday's blog.
ReplyDeleteThis is powerful.
ReplyDeleteI may write something similar in the future.
Because it reminds me of a practice of Vin Scully.
In big moments on the field, he would hush and allow the ambient noise to tell the story.
His quiet was powerful, which made his subsequent words, well chosen in the quiet, seem like wisdom.
We are afraid to surrender the control to ambient noise!
Staying strong in our faith.
ReplyDeleteI am really enjoying reading your blog. You are very articulate in the way you present each topic.
ReplyDelete