Day of Silence

Day of Silence by Drew

Most weeks here in community we dedicate 1 day for being in silence. Last week we had 3 consecutive days of silence. I am learning that the quieter the mind chatter, the clearer I can hear Spirit and the more open I am to receive His Guidance.

Silence and I are long-term friends; we go back a long way. Since early childhood my biological father would take me to many parks on the weekends where we’d play and explore together. I was blessed to be raised in one of the greenest and most open areas of north London, therefore silence for me has always been held in the highest regard in my life.

As I grew into my teens and beyond, I always seemed to be the only person in my peer group who had a deep comfort in silence. Many of my friends ‘in the world’ told me that they fear and avoid silence because of what tends to come up in their minds, and it’s unbearable for them. They find their own mind chatter intolerable. I’ve no doubt that many of us can possibly relate to that, and so people who find the spiritual journey tend to learn how to sink deep down into the quietude and stillness that resides within.

I have more that I’d like to share about silence, but it can wait for now. Today was appropriately my Miracle Moment for our morning meditation. Last night I read Helen Schucman’s beautiful book of poetry “The Gifts of God”. I found 10 poems that all have silence, stillness and quietude as their theme. I bookmarked each of the poems and would leave it on the Sanctuary / Living Room table for community members to come and read when they have free moments throughout the day. Additionally, I found three Workbook lessons that also have these themes as their main focus, all in the name of listening more intently to Spirit.

The three Workbook lessons are: Lesson 49, 164 and 254.
The poems by Helen Schucman are: The Song of Peace, Quietness, The Arch of Silence, The Singing, The Silent Way, The Resting Place, The Quiet Dream, Awake in Stillness, The Soundless Song and finally, The Peace of God.

I then read from a compendium to the Course called “Gifts from A Course in Miracles”, edited by two famous transpersonal psychologists: Frances Vaughn and Roger Walsh, and I played a song called Turning to Peace by Paul Schwartz.

May Peace be upon you Now!

“There is a silence into which the world cannot intrude. There is an ancient peace you carry in your heart and have not lost. Lay down your arms and come without defense into the quiet place where Heaven’s peace holds all things still at last. Lay down all thoughts of danger and of fear. Let no attack enter with you.

In this quiet state alone is strength and power. Here can no weakness enter for here is no attack and therefore no illusions. Peace is of God. You who are part of God are not home except in God’s peace.

As you close your eyes, sink into the stillness. Let these periods of rest and respite reassure your mind that all its frantic fantasies were but dreams of fever that has passed away. Let it be still and thankfully accept its healing. No more fearful dreams will come now that you rest in God.”