Spiritual Practice of the Week: Silence – the Space Between the Words

Finding places for silence in our culture can be a challenge.  It can be hard to listen for the still small voice in the midst of so much activity in our world of sound. Our culture makes it difficult to retreat into our own silence. It encourages us to cling to the things of this world and fill all the spaces with activity. It can be a countercultural act to integrate moments of silence into your youth program.

Silence is often a new experience for people and can be the last thing they feel they want. People may be afraid of what silence holds. They fear being alone in silence, and what they might discover in themselves. Thinking of silence as a friend is a non-threatening way of dealing with the space silence creates.

A number of years ago, I went on an eight day silent retreat. I had lost myself out there in the world and was facing many challenges in my personal life. I really did not know where to turn for some peace. So I signed up for the retreat.

It took me five days to slow my mind down, stop the constant thinking, and rest in God. I worked with scripture and had many dreams. I talked with a spiritual director about my own story and how it related to this time of silence. I had visions and clarity that never could have come had I not stopped all the noise in my life. I didn’t want to leave. God’s presence became very real and clear to me.

Perhaps you’ve already felt called to your own practice of silence and can tell your own story. Perhaps it’s a practice you are thinking of introducing into your life. You don’t have to go away for an eight day silent retreat; space for silence can be incorporated into your life here and now. Remember that the silence we deeply need isn’t the silence of the outside world but of the world inside us. Here are some ways to begin to introduce silence into your personal and youth ministry practices.

1. Have a one minute time of silence at the end of youth meetings. It could be a time to remember those who aren’t there, pray silently, or just be still before going back out into the world. As the group becomes more comfortable with silence, extend the time. It takes time and practice to build tolerance and acceptance of silence, especially if it is a new or scary place for people.
2. If you take your youth on an annual retreat, build silence into the retreat. Allow youth a chance to go off alone to be still and silent for an hour or so. Come back and debrief what being silent was like for them.
3. Once your group has integrated silence into its life, you may wish to have a silent meal. Many monastic communities and retreats have community meals in silence. Start the meal with a prayer and then spend the mealtime sharing space but not voice. This practice works best for youth who have some experience with silence and feel able to take the practice seriously.
4. Be still and know that I am God. (Psalm 46:10) Say each line of the mantra to yourself and reflect on it for a few moments.

Be still and know

That I am God

Be still

Know that I am

Be still

Know

Be still

Be.

5. Spend the first five minutes of your day following rising in silence. Go to your window, look out on the day before you, and notice, listen, and be still. Notice what beginning the day this way feels like. No words are necessary; your prayer is simply your silence.
6. Spend some time writing and reflecting about how silence has claimed you, or how you are waiting to be claimed by it. How do you feel about entering into silence in your life? Do you enjoy it? Is it difficult? Why are you drawn to the practice of silence? What impact do you hope it will have on your life? If you are seeking to be claimed by silence, plan how you will make that happen. Tell someone about your plan and set your intention to follow through.
7. If you are serious about incorporating silence into your life, make a plan to engage in a silent retreat.

© This prayer practice and all of those on the Sunday Morning Blog Post can be found in:  "Go Deep: Spiritual Practices for Youth Ministry" Wood Lake Publishing
Doris is the Youth Director for the United Church of Canada in BC.