Silence (Part 1) | In Silence you will Find Peace

When coming to the monastery became a known fact and my decision to enter a definitive choice, everyone had questions for me. One of those questions was about silence. In some instances, the people asking about silence were more terrified of what I might have to face in the quiet than I was myself. Funny!... For example, one individual really thought that I would be taking a vow of silence, and that I would never be able to speak again as long as I live. I tried to explain that this was not the case. This person was convinced, and insisted that I reconsider my decision to venture into the silence of monastic life - I was told that I would lose the ability to use my vocal chords if I became a monk! This is a common misconception. As we will see in this article and the one to follow on Pillars of Carmelite Life, silence is a support for the life of prayer as a whole. It is not the whole of our life as Carmelites and neither are we keeping silence perpetually. We will note the subtle strains of rhythm in our silence - a quiet for the day and a stillness for night, an all encompassing atmosphere for the work of God in prayer, our holiness.

Returning to the question of silence…. It can be a terrible question. The specter of silence is perhaps a little too much to countenance for many in our own times. Let's face it, silence is hard for a world constantly communicating by any number of devices. The world changed with the advent of the printing press. It changed even more greatly with the coming of the internet, satellite communication, and the smart phone. Everyone is connected and everyone is sharing instantly at every moment on a number of platforms throughout the global village (imagine now, in the background, the Grinch's refrain as he thinks about Christmas in Whoville: "noise, noise, noise!"). Okay, this is only a sketch and at best a generalization. However, it is true to say that silence is a challenge today, and for that reason it has value for our lived experience as members of the human family, especially as Christians who are called to transform the world by our presence in it. The Rule of St. Albert, Carmel's formula for life, sets the practice of silence up as an essential support in the life of prayer and contemplation - a pillar of Carmelite Life.

Turning to the Rule of St. Albert we find that the chapter "On Silence" follows immediately after Albert's precept "On Work". In fact, the preceding chapter on work ends with an exhortation: "in the Lord Jesus Christ to earn [their] bread, working in silence. This way is holy and good: follow it." The structure of the Rule is telling us that silence itself is a work. It is an essential exercise of Carmelite life - a great work of the spiritual life, in general. St. Albert outlines for us the way of silence. It is good for us to follow him in the way.

He begins: "The Apostle recommends silence…" Albert recommends silence by way of apostolic command. It is a dimension of life and prayer fundamental to Christian experience. Silence is based upon the authority and example of St. Paul the Apostle. In other words, silence is an apostolic institution (i.e. a teaching, principle, guideline) in the mind of St. Albert. It is valid as a way of Christian spirituality because it rests upon the foundation of apostolic teaching and example. The life of the Apostle includes intense activity (work) and deep stillness (silence). In the Rule of Carmel, work and silence complement one another just as contemplation and the apostolate combine to form the fullness of Christian life and mission in the Church.

I mentioned that the practice of silence is a work. What kind of work? The practice of silence is described as the "cultivation of justice" by the Rule. The phrase appears twice and forms an inclusion within the rule, setting off silence as its own particular exercise of Carmelite life. The inclusion begins with "As the prophet also testifies, 'Silence is the cultivation of justice…'" and closes with, "let him try attentively and carefully to practice the silence in which is the cultivation of justice." What kind of work is being undertaken in the soul? What particular task does silence perform within the field of the soul? It is a work that cultivates virtue and holiness. Themes from Isaiah are playing in the background of the text. Here is just one example:

"Then justice will dwell in the wilderness, and righteousness abide in the fruitful field. And the effect of righteousness will be peace, and the result of righteousness, quietness and trust forever." (Is 32, 16-17).

There are some wonderful words here: peace, quietness, and trust. Silence cultivates these gifts in the enclosed garden of Carmel. Who wouldn't want to experience such blessing? Silence creates the atmosphere for the experience of God and his peace. It teaches trust which is realized not in the frantic activity prompted by the impulsive suggestions of an anxious mind, but in the quiet of a heart that is at rest in God.

Thinking about the value of silence, we recognize that silence is an act of worship because it is nothing other than surrender to, and trust in the loving influence (dominion) of the Lord in our lives, individually and as a people. Silence is also a work of trust. Silence, by an act of surrender, brings about right relationship with God. Silence teaches us to listen to the Word of God, to meditate upon his Law, and follow in his way. In silence, we let God speak - even command the direction and course that our lives take. When we choose our own way, we silence God. We shout until we have our own way… we attempt to speak over God and his counsels until our will is done. The way of Carmel is different - it is the way of silence in which the only word said is "fiat!", that is "let it be done unto me according to your word!" Or, "Your Will be done"… "not my will… but yours!" And finally, in silence we are able to cry out, "Yes, Father!" God cannot begin his work of transformation in the soul, until we learn to practice silence.

Think about how different our lives would be if we learned to live in this atmosphere of quiet and rest. It is a guarantee that there would be more peace in the day, if we learned to refrain from entering into the constant noise in the environment which surrounds us. The guarantee evidences itself, for example, when we allow ourselves to enjoy the quiet beginnings of a day as the sun rises silently on the horizon. Picture the first rays of dawn pouring into the windows of your kitchen as you take in that first cup of coffee or tea. The promise of peace renews itself at the end of the day, after all the activity ceases… savor that sunset! God wants our peace. Silence teaches us how to enter that peace. There is a living silence to be found in the dead of the night when the whole house is at rest. Silence is a refusal to enter into a world of disquiet, unrest, and sin (remember for a moment memories of hard words spoken, arguments, and shouting matches). Life is different when we keep our peace and silently trust in God, who speaks to us moment by moment. In the silence we let him be Lord of our life. Let's end now with a few verses from a Psalm:

"O LORD, my heart is not lifted up, my eyes are not raised too high; I do not occupy myself with things too great and too marvelous for me. But I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a child quieted at its mother’s breast; like a child that is quieted is my soul. O Israel, hope in the LORD from this time forth and for evermore." (Ps 131, 1–3)