Silence in the Noise

Our world is a noisy place that gets even noisier every day. The news has always focused on worst case scenarios, but worst case scenarios now overshadow the news. Earlier this year all eyes were glued on BP’s infamous “oil cam” that showed crude gushing into the gulf 24/7. One prognosticator after another offered his dire predictions. Some spoke in apocalyptic terms painting grim pictures of 1,000 miles of irreplaceable wetlands and beaches at risk, fisheries damaged for seasons, fragile species wiped out and a region and an industry economically crippled for years. Some scientists suggested that the oil might hitch a ride on the loop current in the gulf, bringing havoc to the Atlantic Coast. Now we’re back to focusing on worst case scenarios regarding the economy. The scenarios du jour have us fretting over a possible “double dip” recession and an unemployment rate above 9% a year from now. Then there’s noise about the war, about the presidential election in 2012, and whether we’ll be able to get out of Afghanistan in 2014. Thanks to cable news and talk radio our preoccupation with hypotheticals won’t go away any time soon.

“Every part of our life is inundated with words—urgent words, random words, trivial words, hurtful words, managing words, religious words and on and on. Could it be that what we need is time alone with God and a lot fewer words?” (Adele Ahlberg Calhoun, Spiritual Disciplines Handbook, 108). We desperately need to stop talking and stop listening to others talking. We need to escape the noise and be quiet. We need to practice the discipline of silence.

Here’s all you need to know to practice this disciple: no talking, no listening to talking (no reading either). It doesn’t have to be quiet; you have to be quiet. You can practice silence while you do household chores or drive to work. You can practice silence while you walk or run or sit eating at the kitchen table. I shared a meal with monks at an abbey in British Columbia that ate in silence something you do just by eating lunch alone. Walking is my favorite way to practice this discipline; sometimes I read a psalm before I go but not always. How far I walk determines how long I engage in the practice. I don’t always walk the same distance or the same route. I like a change of pace. Sometimes I take Rose the beagle dog.