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Silence – a Spiritual Practice

March 19, 2013 By Jean Wise

Silence
Silence? How well do you do with this spiritual practice? I attended a silent retreat for four days this past weekend. Now a few of you who know me more than just through this blog probably think I wouldn’t last or would be expelled. Yes I do talk quite a bit.
But I figured out this was my fifth silent retreat! I find this type of spiritual practice to be one of the most effective disciplines for opening my heart and bringing me closer to God. In fact the few years I didn’t attend one for more than 24 months, I missed them.  Now I try to get to one annually.
We arrived Thursday evening and have a talkative dinner together. After supper we meet as a group, sharing what we think God may be inviting us to experience the next few days. I have learned to let go of my expectations though. Often I will list in my journal questions I would love some insight to during my quiet time with God but then hold them lightly. Sometimes I hear answers; sometimes not.
We begin the silence Thursday evening then conclude on Sunday afternoon with a group sharing. Each day we do meet with a spiritual director to talk that hour about our experience.
During the silence, we spend time praying, listening, reading scripture, possibly reading other Christian material, walking and even napping.
It is amazing how the group bonds by passing each other in the hallway, saying a prayer for that person and eating together in silence, like a sacred communion. We slow down, eat at a snail’s pace and savor each bite.  Food just plain tastes better at a silent retreat.

Why Silence?

 
Silence slows me down. This experience reminds me my identity isn’t found in busyness nor my value in accomplishments.
Silence peels off the layers of the world, often exposing my raw hunger to be loved and to be soothed.
I dial back the world, tone down the chatter and bathe my soul in stillness.
Silence rinses away my worries, concerns, and troubles leaving a fresh renewing fragrance.
I quit drowning in noise and hear my own true voice and can listen attentively to God.
I refocus and am reaffirmed pointing me in the right direction on my life’s journey.
I find courage in my vulnerability and deep surrender in an openness I didn’t know I contained.
Silence brings me face to face with God knowing He is the Beloved and I am His. This cracks open the hard shell surrounding my heart to see His Belovedness in others.
I experience God so when I return to all the crazy noises of my mind and thunder of the world I know He is with me, even when I don’t hear or see Him.
I honor Spirit and my spirit.
In silence my soul receives tender care in a safe and sacred space.
In silence, my ego-riddled resistance melts away into God’s message, words, mercy, and love.
I silence I stand naked before my Creator and He accepts me.
In silence I finally hear my heartbeat reflecting each beat of His Holy Heartbeat.
In silence I am who I am, spending time with the amazing I AM.

Have you ever attended a silent retreat? How do you find silence in your life?

P.S. Here are two other blog posts I wrote mentioning this spiritual practice:

Internal Noise and Busyness

The Practice of Going on Retreat

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Filed Under: spiritual lessons, spiritual practices

Comments

  1. blankNancy Ruegg says

    March 26, 2013 at 7:51 pm

    Yes, it would be fun to meet. Somehow, I think it just may happen–THIS side of heaven, that is!

  2. blankJean Wise says

    March 23, 2013 at 1:59 pm

    Glad to meet another Lent Madness fan too. I really enjoy this fun.

    Do pray about finding a silent retreat. Often if you check out retreat centers and look at their programming for a Silent Directed Retreat you may find one. My first one was required for my spiritual direction training and I really wasn’t to sure what I was getting into but wow, I now try for one annually.

    Hope you can find one. Now don’t forget to vote this week. ( :

  3. blankJean Wise says

    March 23, 2013 at 1:56 pm

    Yes it was a powerful weekend of just me and God. Some people are uncomfortable with that vulnerability but it feeds my spirit and seems to tell me who and whose I am.

  4. blankJean Wise says

    March 23, 2013 at 1:55 pm

    Laura, I really need the full four days to stop hearing the world and the chatter in my mind. I find It is often on Saturday that I finally heal or hear what God is touching/teaching me. What I would really like to do someday is the full 30 day retreat. Wouldn’t that be something?

    I hear Rohr the end of April so watch for posts of him in May.

    Let me know how you like the Naked Now. You gave me an idea as my prayer group also studies books and we are drawing near the end of one. Maybe one of his would be good. I really like Everything Belongs too.

  5. blankJean Wise says

    March 23, 2013 at 1:52 pm

    You made me smile, Lynn – spiritually fattening. Yes yes noise does weigh us down. I wrote in another comment that it took me more than 24 hours to feel the tension melt away. 24hours! that a lot of clogged hearing I would say. Thanks Lynn! Have a blessed weekend

  6. blankJean Wise says

    March 23, 2013 at 1:49 pm

    I just read a post this morning that mentioned Fosters book and took it from my shelf to reread. So glad you mentioned it. Isn’t it amazing when God wants you to read something, He spreads the word through others. We just have to listen.

    Thanks for commenting this week Lyli

  7. blankJean Wise says

    March 23, 2013 at 1:47 pm

    I actually wrote part of this post at the end of the retreat. I was so consumed by the silence and how I felt. Going on a multi day retreat amazes me each time. We arrived on Thursday but it wasn’t until Friday evening this time I felt the tension and noise of the world and my mind melt away – 24 hours!!
    Thanks for being such a wonderful commenter Nancy. Would be fun to meet in person someday!

  8. blankJean Wise says

    March 23, 2013 at 1:44 pm

    Desiray when I miss going on a retreat – I try for one at least annually – I hunger and thirst even more. Like an unsatisfying restlessness. I the silence I connect so much better and it feels like I hear God better and love Him more. Thanks for your comments. I am so far behind this week. Life certainly takes back over quickly.

  9. blankJean Wise says

    March 23, 2013 at 1:41 pm

    Nancy I am sooooo far behind in comments so today is catching up day. Yah I think if we were together we would have a hard time not talking. I did hid in my room lots for some alone time. God always surprises me at these retreats with something I never saw coming. That can be scary too but always what I needed.
    Still have you and your family in my prayers daily.

  10. blankJean Wise says

    March 23, 2013 at 1:39 pm

    Kendall something you mentioned is so true; I do believe we crave more silence as we get older. That is interesting insight. Thanks for sharing

  11. blankLeanne says

    March 21, 2013 at 3:50 am

    I so need a silent retreat. I’ve never actually done one. A quiet one, yes. Which was fantastic and so I want more. One day.
    And also — woo hoo! another Lent Madness fan!

  12. blankMia says

    March 20, 2013 at 10:06 pm

    Dear Jean
    This reminds me so much of the verse that tells us to be still and to know that He is God. I am so glad you enjoyed your retreat. I hope you are refreshed and facing the world with new courage!
    Much love XX
    Mia

  13. blankHugmomma says

    March 20, 2013 at 12:55 pm

    “In silence I experience God so when I return to all the crazy noises of my mind and thunder
    of the world I know He is with me, even when I don’t hear or see Him.”
    “In silence I stand naked before my Creator and He accepts me.”

    Both powerful moments in your post. Both bring you back to the place where you understand, its just me and You, Jesus.

  14. blankLaura Boggess says

    March 20, 2013 at 2:44 am

    Four days! That sounds heavenly, Jean. I also go on a yearly silent retreat, but mine is only over the weekend. I treasure that time, it really opens me up to the Spirit. And guess what? My Centering Prayer group has decided to read The Naked Now together so I really look forward to hearing about your time with Rohr.

  15. blankLynn Mosher says

    March 20, 2013 at 1:39 am

    Ooo…sounds spiritually fattening! We do drown in all that noise, don’t we? So glad you had a chance to get away from the noise and find your “strength is to sit still.”

  16. blankLyli Dunbar says

    March 20, 2013 at 1:28 am

    I just finished reading Richard Foster’s book on Prayer where he discusses the prayer of silence in one of his chapters. This post definitely tied into that and further amplified my understanding of this spiritual practice. Thanks so much, Jean. This was timely for me.

  17. blankNancy Ruegg says

    March 19, 2013 at 9:23 pm

    I love your poetic list of what happens within you during the time of silence. I’ve never attended a silent retreat, but it sounds wonderful–enlightening and inspiring! I do love my quiet time in the morning, as I begin the day with silent study and reflection. It’s a time of affirmation, challenge, and encouragement.

  18. blankDesiray Lewis says

    March 19, 2013 at 2:58 pm

    I have to give it too you sis, when it comes to retreats you my dear are there. I know you are getting lots of things poured into your spirit. God bless you the more so.

  19. blankNancy Franson says

    March 19, 2013 at 2:03 pm

    Can you imagine the two of us together on a silent retreat? We’d get thrown out, for sure!

    But seriously. Thanks for giving me the chance to tag along with you and get a glimpse into your weekend. I especially like what you said about holding loosely your expectations about what God might do. He so rarely acts in ways I expect.

    And that is a very good thing.

  20. blankKendal Privette says

    March 19, 2013 at 9:53 am

    a silent retreat sounds absolutely fabulous. i crave silence more and more as i get older….

Healthy Spirituality – a sacred space to nurture your faith, grow closer to God, and belong to a community, walking together on life’s journey. This blog is written by author, speaker and retreat leader Jean Wise

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