SOLITUDE & SILENCE

Solitude & silence are disciplines that require us to abstain from being with people and noise. It’s consciously putting ourselves in a place where we can’t accomplish the things that make us feel worthwhile (checking off our to-do list, having conversations, etc.). In abstaining, we learn to find rest in knowing we are worth something to God, even when we aren’t accomplishing something.We let go of the need to talk and to fill empty spaces with our chatter…allowing God to fill the space. We let go of our focus on accomplishing things. We put aside our planning and scheming and focus on listening to God and meeting our true selves…which isn’t always easy or pretty.Being silent and alone means that we are inviting God to relate to us in a personal way and we are opening our eyes, ears and hearts to being transformed…first in the solitude…then in all of life.

Key ideas:

· Loneliness (inner emptiness) vs. Solitude (inner fulfillment)

o In solitude we do not fear being alone, for we know we are not alone.

o To not only refrain from speech, but to learn to listen.

o We separate and quiet ourselves to see God and to hear from him.

§ To draw hear to listen is better than to offer the sacrifice of fools. (Eccles. 5:1)

o To create a “portable sanctuary” that goes with you everywhere.

· Silence disciplines the tongue

o Tongue is our most powerful weapon of manipulation; to give up speaking it to let go of control.

“Real silence, real stillness, really holding one’s tongue comes only as the sober consequence of spiritual stillness,” Deitrich Bonhoeffer

· Solitude and silence prepare us for the inevitable “dark nights” of the soul.

o “When God lovingly draws us into a dark night of the soul, there is often a temptation to seek release from it and to blame everyone and everything four our inner dullness…the preacher, the singing, the worship…we look for a new experience to give us “spiritual goose bumps.” This is a mistake. Recognize that God is lovingly drawing you away from every distraction so you can see him clearly…become still and wait” (Foster 103).

The fruit of solitude is increased sensitivity & compassion for others.

It is in deep solitude that I find the gentleness with which I can truly love my brothers. The more solitary I am the more affection I have for them…Solitude and silence teach me to love my brothers for what they are, not for what they say. Thomas Merton

some ideas for incorporating solitude & silence into your life…

1. Take advantage of the “little moments of solitude” in our day (early morning, driving, showering, etc.)

2. Find a place you can designate as a “quiet place” designed for this practice.

3. Try to live one entire day without words.

4. Four times a year withdraw for 3-4 hours to reflect and listen for God’s reflection on your life.

5. Consider participating in a organized silent retreat or plan your own day or weekend of solitude.

possible practices/activities to get you started…

o Sit in a quiet place and read Zephaniah 3:17….The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing. What song do you need for God to sing over you?

o Do a physical activity like walking, riding a bike, gardening while reflecting on God’s goodness in the activity and in your life. If you find yourself losing focus, gently pull your thoughts back to God and enjoy.

o Step outside just before you go to bed. Look at the stars and feel the stillness of the night.

o Read Isaiah 30:15-22 and pick a phrase that describes the kind of life you’d like to have.Repeat that phrase to God and sit silently and enjoy the prospect.

o Journal your own down-to-earth, conversational paraphrase of Isaiah 30: 15-22.Rephrase it as needed. Rewrite verses 16-17 inserting your sources of hurry and panic. Rephrase verse 18, and replace verses 19-20 with what you believe might be God’s response if you waited on him. Rephrase verse 21, then replace verse 22 with an act of radical obedience that might result.

o Describe in your journal a mental picture or a sensory image that would represent what it means to abide in God. Or make a photo album or scrapbook of these images/symbols. Examples: God singing over you (Zeph. 3:17), resting protected in the shadow of his wings (Psalm 36:7; 63:7), drinking from and romping in God’s river of delights (Ps. 36:8), gazing on God’s beauty; dwelling in his house (Ps. 27:4)

o Pray for someone who is difficult or who has opposed you. Ask God to show you this person’s heart.

o Imagine a future conversation that you’ll have. Visualize being “slow to speak and quick to listen”. Picture yourself focusing deeply on their words without jumping ahead to what you’re going to say.

o Find a hymnal and read (or sing) all the hymns you can find that have the word abide in them.

Without a certain element of solitude there can be no compassion because when a man is lost in the wheels of a social machine he is no longer aware of human needs as a matter of personal responsibility. Go into the desert, not to escape others but in order to find them in God.

-- Thomas Merton