Sounds of Silence, Part 2

Thank for the good response to Sounds of Silence from last week:

More about how to respond to my “blogs” in a new way up and coming.

See if you can project yourself into this picture and listen to the “sounds of silence”:

“I moved through majestic depths of silences, silences so immense I could hear the corn growing. Under these silences there was an orchestra of natural music playing notes no city child would ever hear. A certain cackle from the henhouse meant we had gained an egg. The creak of a porch swing told of a momentary breeze blowing across my grandmother’s yard. Moving past (the barn) as quietly as an Indian, I could hear the swish of a horse’s tail and knew the horseflies were out in strength. As I tiptoed along a mossy bank to surprise a frog, a faint splash told me the quarry had spotted me and slipped into the stream. Wandering among the sleeping houses, I learned that tin roofs crackle under the power of the sun, and when I tired and came back to my grandmother’s house, I padded into her dark cool living room, lay flat on the floor, and listened to the hypnotic beat of her pendulum clock on the wall ticking the meaningless hours away.”

(A description of sounds of silence in the country, “Growing Up,” Russell Baker, page 58 - Signet-New American Library 1982)

Silence is not easy. How does one cultivate simplicity and solitude?

A lot of "stuff" is flying about here, there and everywhere. You wouldn't believe (or maybe you would) the voices that inundate my computer inbox in spite of "spam" and "virus" filters, and "firewalls." Of course that's not to mention my own initiative in accessing TV, books, newspapers, and whatever other modes of noise intrudes into my space. Tweets, Face(less) Book, My Space. I stopped listening to radio blab years ago, and am attempting to decapitate the TV talking heads in my life. I frequently cut off my home and cell phones and do not respond to unnecessary calls. 

“In the midst of today’s revolution in instant communication, take time…leaving plenty of room for silence, showing a respect for words that is remarkable in this culture, which goes for the fast talk of the hard sell, the deceptive masks of jargon, the chatter of television personalities.”    (Kathleen Norris, The Cloister Walk, Riverhead Books, NY)
                                                                  
Even “Jesus went up in the hills to pray by Himself. He was there alone. Jesus often withdrew to the wilderness for prayer. (Matt.14.23)

“He slipped away quietly with the disciples…”  (Luke 9.10 )

“He walked away alone…and prayed.”  (Luke 22.41)

In the midst of the night, “when you are on your beds, search your hearts and be silent.” (Psalm 4.4 )
 
Too, one can experience silence of the soul without exterior solitude. You can learn to practice interior solitude in the midst of the tumult of a busy life.

In silence, what do I hear in my heart? Write it down.

Incidentally, one will learn that silence and solitude is not loneliness.

To be silent does not mean to be inactive. Rather it means to breathe in the will of God, to listen attentively and be ready to obey.

Finally, from some sages of silence:

"Ah yes, I will say again to the great silent men and women!

Looking around on the noisy inanity of the world, words with little meaning, actions with little truth, one loves to reflect on the great empire of Silence!

The noble silent men and women, scattered here and there, each in his department; silently thinking, silently working; whom no morning newspaper makes mention of. They are the salt of the earth. A country that has none or few of these is in a bad way.

(Thomas Carlyle (1795-1881) Scottish essayist and social historian.)

“Silence is praise to You... O God. You’ve always given me breathing room, a place to get away from it all.” (Psalm 61. & 65)

Learn to Unplug!

Thanks,
Scott Ross

Incidentally, a bow to Paul Simon for the title Sounds of Silence. His new CD So Beautiful or So What, is “wunnerful, wunnerful.”

From one Paul to another: Paul McCartney remarked to Paul Simon in hearing the album that there are a lot of references to God in his songs. And then he added, “You’re Jewish aren’t you?”

And that may be just the point Paul McCartney … Paul Simon’s roots are showing.