I was a recent guest on the Pilgrim Podcast.
Lacy Carter Ellman asked me, “The title of your website is “Silence Teaches Us Who We Are.” How does silence teach us who we are and how did you come to know that to be true in your own journey?”
I would like to share my answer with you!
I start my day with a silent sit. My life spawns from my silent sits.
Centering prayer has instilled within me wonderful fruits from God: confidence, an excitement for life that I did not have before my practice, wisdom for daily tasks, inner peace, inner nudges to try new things (write a book, create this web site, teach centering prayer in the community, one on one centering prayer coaching), the ability to slow down and see things I never noticed before. I admit. I am work in progress and that is okay!
My reservoir runs empty. I need a second sit later in the day: early afternoon or in the evening.
I also need mini sits, a five minute silent sit: I am early for a doctor appointment, before an interview or presentation I need to make or to take a short break from a problem that I cannot solve. This sit calms me down and reconnects me with God who is always with me.
Silence spawns my actions during my non-silent times! Silence has taught me what God wants me to do and be during my non-silent times. Silence grounds me in God during my non-silent times.
Silent prayer reminds me that I am never alone. God is always with me. As Paul R Smith appropriately titles his book, Is Your God Big Enough Close Enough You Enough. God is an Infinite God who is beyond us: the Creator of life, love and consciousness, a God who is an intimate friend who walks beside us and a God who is within us: our True Self!
I sit in silence with Jesus so I can arise from my sits and walk with Jesus. Jesus is my daily partner during both my silent sits and my daily actions.
I will continue to sit in silence. I will continue to trust the Silence. I will try to be patient. (I have learned that God is a patient God.)
I will let Silence teach me who I am and what I need to do each and everyday!
Go Further:
Be Still and Listen: Experience the Presence of God in Your Life
Is Your God Big Enough Close Enough You Enough by Paul R Smith
Centering Prayer and Inner Awakening by Cynthia Bourgeault
Living in God by Nicholas Amato
Moving from Stress to Joy by Nicholas Amato
Holy Silence by J Brent Bill
Befriending Silence: Discovering the Gifts of Cistercian Spirituality by Carl McColman
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