Monday, October 20, 2008

SILENCE


"SILENCE"
ONE
“. . .Peace be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm." Mark 4:39

TWO
“In the attitude of silence the soul finds the path in a clearer light, and what is elusive and deceptive resolves itself into crystal clearness. Our life is a long arduous quest after truth.” Mahatma Gandhi

THREE
“Not merely an absence of noise, Real silence begins when a reasonable being withdraws from the noise in order to find peace and order in his inner sanctuary.” Peter Minard


There is something about the idea of "silence" that pulls me - I find very appealing, alluring, and spiritual. I think the soul thirsts after the interior silence where God speaks and one can hear.

Life seems so busy. My mind is often in hot pursuit of the next thought or action. I may be retired, but busier now than when working.

Commitment to AA, Alanon, and our blogging community takes time. I try to read your blogs regularly. I try also to calm my mind long enough each day to allow some idea for a blog to enter in. Then comes the hopefully thoughtful construction of said blog. I do the best I can.

When I was in treatment 23 years ago, there was involvement in lots of groups focused on multiple needs. There wasn't enough time in the 28 days to address all of them. I never had an opportunity to work on reducing stress. Over the years I have learned some techniques to reduce stress, but still have trouble "quieting" myself at times.

Last, but surely not least is time devoted to my hubby. God's grace allowed us to meet and over time develop a wonderful relationship and marriage. Mr-a-roni and I will be away on a relaxing trip soon and I am looking forward to many moments of calm and silence as we float in the Caribbean.

When visiting patients, sometimes silences are the prelude to intimate thoughts needing expression. The training for pastoral care taught this is called "the ministry of presence". Since I tend to be somewhat in high gear, this will take practice.

Bottom line! I dearly love the thought of "silence". Now what is needed is practice putting silence into action - no - into "inaction".
(A good start would be meditating on the three quotes at the beginning of this blog.)

Prayer Girl

9 comments:

Zanejabbers said...

Floating in the Carribean? I do hope this will be on a SHIP. LOL.

Anonymous said...

Oh my gosh, this is too funny.

I thought I was reading Steve's blog.

And then it says me and my hubby and I was like ok Steve have you switched teams or did your wife write on your blog.

And then I see prayer girl. I did not know you were Steve's wife.

Clearly I am up much too late tonight! Off to bed I go.

Shadow said...

silence. my friend. absolutely. to still the chaos of the world and of my mind.

Anonymous said...

I used to surround myself with "white noise" all the time, TV constantly in the background etc. Now, I love the peace and quiet and the silence. Great post!

steveroni said...

One way I quiet myself is by shutting my mouth. Also I'm not lying when in that mode (except maybe to self-grin-)

Akannie said...

Thanks again, Anna....

Since my own "retirement" I have found that I had no idea just how crazy my life was most of the time. Always rushing about, blah,blah,blah...noisy world we live in. Today, I sit out in the solitude and peace of my little piece of heaven out here in the country and cannot believe how much I need to quiet. I love it out here. I have slowed way down, although sometimes I am busier than ever.

May today, there be peace within.

Have a good trip!

Syd said...

I like to have silence and time to not be "busy". I am around people at work and busy all day so to have some time of silence is important.

Wait. What? said...

I have been working on meditating 5 minutes a day at lunch - just sitting still and quiet and listening to everything around me. It is difficult to do! Cat

Jess Mistress of Mischief said...

I felt much of my life as Patty described.. a need for space to be filled with white noise (or should I call it dark noise?)

I'm just beginning to learn techniques for meditation and quieting not just my mouth (Messy-be-quiet ain't my nickname for nothin') but my head and the committee of they that lives up there trying to move me in a reason-less direction away from the Source and the Light.

I hope to take a unique opportunity to be sent to a Prayer and Healing conference done by Frances and Judith McNutt...

Any opportunity to gain more tools for getting closer to God and serving others. :)