Comments on: Riffs: 03:05:09: Richard Foster on Solitude; Me on Silence

By: Penn Reel

Penn Reel — Wed, 13 May 2009 10:51:34 +0000

Wow! what an idea ! What a concept ! Beautiful .. Amazing …

By: Vicki

Vicki — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 03:30:10 +0000

Two years ago I was widowed. My husband had been ill for many years, and as his caretaker there was not a lot of “alone” time nor was there much opportunity for silence. After his death, all I heard was the silence.

I am firmly convinced we as human beings flee silence as a dreaded enemy. The noise of silence can become deafening. Yet Scripture instructs us to “lie upon our beds and be silent.” Why? Because in the silence our pain surfaces. In the silence the Holy Spirit can gently recall incidences in need of cleansing, of healing, of confession. In the silence we can quietly behold a God whose glory shines within our hearts in silent revelation.

When we yield to silence it is at first quite painful and disconcerting. But as we embrace silence and solitude we begin to discover something: the reality of the abiding presence of Christ. If we are born-again…it is a fact that He resides within us. But the noise of everyday life numbs us to that fact. In the silence we discover His awesome Presence.

By: Bob P

Bob P — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 20:07:32 +0000

I just read this series of posts from top to bottom. What a blessing! I, personally, need quite a bit of solitude and silence (but then I’m and old dude). I find nature to be helpful in this regard. However, I do have a semi-serious theological question: Will there be golf courses in heaven?

By: JoanieD

JoanieD — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 00:38:25 +0000

http://www.cbc.ca/tapestry/archives/2004/092004.html
There’s a nice 21 minute audio interview of Thomas Keating there about Centering Prayer and the value of silence in our prayer life. Near the end, there may be a couple things he says that would concern “evangelical” folks, but don’t worry, in his books you learn that he is very much a Christian! For those of you more familiar with J.P. Moreland, Moreland also recommends a similar method to deepen our love and union with God. I read Moreland’s book, Kingdom Triangle, in which he writes about this. The last third of the book was the best, in my opinion.

http://www.contemplativeoutreach.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=5251
There are some passages from the Gospel listed there pointing to the contemplative dimension of prayer.

There was a place online that had Keating’s books all available to read online, but I don’t find that anymore. His book Open Heart, Open Mind is probably the one that best explains Centering Prayer.

(Just thought I would give this info to anyone who may benefit from it. This post started four days ago, though, so on THIS site, that’s long ago (!!) so I don’t know how many of you will find it unless you get the Feeds like I am getting now.)

By: JoanieD

JoanieD — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 23:41:39 +0000

The thing about silence is that you can be in a silent place and still be all noisy within yourself. My husband says he cannot turn down the noise “in his head” unless he gets drunk. He does not like silence because then he is alone with the noise and confusion and crazy thoughts inside, so he will turn on loud music or something, just to not have to “hear” inside himself. Then you have the other side…people who can be in chaotic, noisy places and yet be silent inside. And it’s not empty silence. It’s more like full silence.

By: Kat

Kat — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 02:46:20 +0000

William Penn said: “True silence is … to the Spirit what sleep is to the body: nourishment and refreshment.”

Modern Quaker writer Arthur O. Roberts gives these results of silence:
1. fosters awe before the Almighty;
2. indicates submission to God;
3. provides a posture for worship;
4. provides freedom from noise and distraction;
5. condition for tranquility;
6. sets the stage for prayer;
7. signifies respect for others;
8. renews wonder at the world;
9. provides holy space;
10. prepares for effective social witness.

I’m not a Quaker, but I agree with their stress on the importance of silence.

By: Patrick Lynch

Patrick Lynch — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 02:18:12 +0000

Dave138, you might be surprised at how similar-sounding a lot of mystics throughout the ages from any religion Judeo-Christian or not) come off.

By: Dave138

Dave138 — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 02:12:20 +0000

I grew up in a rural Midwestern Quaker church, so I had heard of Foster fairly early on. As someone now leaning Anglican or maybe even further, I now think the Quakers got quite a bit wrong. However, the silence thing I think they definitely got right (and the peace thing and the simplicity thing). Weirdly, I see some connection between the Quakers and the Desert Fathers. Funny the similarity between a lot of Christian mystics from different traditions.

By: Jen

Jen — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 01:25:57 +0000

I love silence too. For me that’s one of the blessings of being single. I can come home and just chill out in silence — no tv, radio, etc.

I truly do think it’s a characteristic that will be valued by my future husband, if the stereotype holds true — women talk talk talk and men are more of the “strong silent type”

By: Anna A

Anna A — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 00:58:28 +0000

Treebeard,

I quite agree with your recommendation about “Into Great Silence.” I saw it twice, once in Columbus and once in Cleveland.

Thank you, I will make sure that my CD of the soundtrack is with me next weekend.

Willoh, I’d say that a fishing pole, a creek or lake makes a good time to reflect.