“Silence is the root of everything. If you spiral into its void a hundred voices will thunder messages you long to hear.”
~Rumi
We are in the midst of the quietness of summer.
As I walk around campus, I never cease to be in awe of how quiet things are this time of the year. But just beneath the surface, the work continues.
For some of us, the silence is a most welcome change from the busyness of the school year. For those of us who love activity, the stillness can be boring, unbearable even. Others still may experience ambivalence. In each case, the quietness of this season can be most beneficial on a spiritual level.
In an article published on Sunday in the Calgary Herald, Rev. John Pentland of Hillhurst United Church writes:
“Silence is something people both fear and love. Some fear it because they are afraid of what they might hear or may have to take notice of. They are too busy doing and not being. Others love it because it is like a well filling us with water. The silence provides inner listening. Our soul is inside us, what is it saying to our life? You can only hear when you pay attention to it.”
Even in this near perfect silence, there are sounds. When you have a little break in your day, take a moment to listen. What do you hear? The humming of machines? Your favorite song on the radio? Conversations between students or co-workers?
What thoughts and feelings do these sounds elicit? Annoyance? Impatience? Calm? Love?
Use these feelings to go a little deeper to the realm of inner listening. What messages do you hear?
May we find time for leisure and rejuvenation. May we be attentive to the voices from within. Even as we must continue to do, may we find time to enjoy just being.
Peace and Blessings,
Cylon George
Campus Chaplain.
Published: Tue, 22 Jul 2014 12:10:57 +0000 by c.george