Who Are You in the Silence?
Blaise Pascal once said, “All of humanity’s problems stem from man’s inability to sit quietly in a room alone.” This world is so full of noise and distractions, making it difficult to be alone with our thoughts.
Personally, I love me some music. I find myself constantly craving to fill the room with music. Often times it is a harmless thing; however, sometimes I am trying to avoid the silence. But why do I do that? Maybe it is what makes me comfortable, especially while living in the world today where constant distraction is the norm.
Mindless entertainment fills our world, ranging from watching TV/Netflix, scrolling on our phones, videogames, the sound of traffic, etc. There is a pressure to always be “doing” something, to constantly be in pursuit of pleasure. The constant entourage of noise makes it extremely difficult to be alone with our thoughts, or even be alone in a room, because through our computers and smartphones we have access to so many different people with just one “tap,” swipe, or click of a button. Even our own interior noise can be incredibly distracting: worries, fears, annoyances, anxieties.
Why are we so good at avoiding silence?
Silence forces us to face our most painful questions, our faults, regrets, and suffering. Silence often forces us to stare at the truth. But does distracting ourselves from the quiet really help us? Or does it make us feel even more empty, alone and restless?
“He who does not meditate acts as one who never looks into a mirror and so does not bother to put himself in order, since he can be dirty without knowing it. The person who meditates and turns his thoughts to God Who is the mirror of his soul, seeks to know his defects and tries to correct them, moderates himself in his impulses and puts his conscience in order.” – St. Padre Pio
Silence is necessary to grow in virtue, to cultivate a deeper and more fulfilling relationship with Christ and with others. Stillness allows us to meet God who waits for us in the silence of our very own hearts. We become more aware of God’s presence as we empty ourselves of the noise and the distractions, allowing ourselves to be filled with His love. Christ is the perfect example of how to empty oneself to God in solitude. I think about him waking up early to go out and pray in the mountains, I think about his silent agony in the Garden, and even his silence during His trial, carrying of the cross, and crucifixion. God is the friend of silence. In Saint Mother Teresa’s words,
We need to find God, and he cannot be found in noise and restlessness. God is the friend of silence. . . . The more we receive in silent prayer, the more we can give in our active life. We need silence to be able to touch souls. The essential thing is not what we say, but what God says to us and through us.
So how can we make this happen in our daily lives? Begin by setting aside time to be alone in a sacred place with God. If you have distracting thoughts, do not get mad and frustrated. Instead, simply acknowledge them and let them pass. Give thanks for the blessings in your life even the crosses you bear. And throughout the day try to avoid the temptation to complain and criticize. Lift others up and practice listening. “A meaningful silence is always better than meaningless words. With silence comes peace.” -unknown
