In the Silence

Silence is a fence around wisdom

German Proverb 

Silence can be found in isolation, but it can also be maintained in the presence of  chaos.  If we can quiet our mind and grow to be comfortable in the mental stillness, we can be any where or be present in any space.  We discover our teachers often times keep still when we are searching for answers.  We are aware of the knowledge the mentor retains, and yet they may remain silent when we long to hear answers.  Perhaps it is in the silence that our answers will appear.    The mentor knows we hold our answers within our own heart and spirit.

It can be good to hold our wisdom to our selves, being silent in the presence of another.  Our silence allows space for the other's inquisitive mind to explore and to put discoveries into a language.  The fence around our wisdom allows us the pleasure of not experiencing pressure to always have the appropriate answer.    We can sit in silence, content in just knowing what we hold to be true.

We can carry our silence with us, hearing the purity of the abundant sounds of nature.  In our silence, we can focus on deep breathing, experiencing subtle oneness.  When all is quiet within, we experience the lofty sense of just 'being' and not doing.  In this silence we will find our Divine in the midst of peace and calm.

Wandering in the Morning

My garden of flowers is also my garden of thoughts and dreams.
The thoughts grow as freely as the flowers, and the dreams are as beautiful.  ~ Abram L. Urban



The temperature is predicted to be high today, so early this morning I sought solitude outside.  I sat on the deck admiring all of the colors spreading across my view.  Then I brought my gaze back to each and every container, enjoying the uniqueness of each plant. 



Then I wandered out into the back yard passing the perennial garden.  I wish the peonies lasted all summer like they do in my childhood memories.  The Lily of the Valley needs to be thinned and the Iris as well.  The Day Lilies are flaunting their colors and the sage is still strong.  The roses remain fragrant.



I slowly examine the three tomato plants that will be our source for this summer.  They are all bountiful and I anxiously await their sweet warm taste straight from the vine.



The little stone bench is waiting for me against the big old tree.  My youngest son gifted it to me so many years ago, and it beckons me like an old friend.  Sitting in the very back of the yard, I take in the fresh grass smell from its recent mowing.  The neighbors have their sprinkler going and the sound adds to the backdrop of birds chirping and squirrels racing around like they were crazy.



The neighbors yard is comparative to glancing at a well used painter's palette.  It is swarming with color and a sight to behold.  They have a bench well hidden in the back of the yard, surrounded by flowering bushes such as the Rose of Sharon.



I find myself to be totally relaxed and thankful for these quiet morning moments before I begin my day.  I begin to drift into day dreams, speculating as to where my children might be.  I slide back in time recalling when they were all so little with hearts and minds filled with innocence and imagination.  How I loved those days.  



I am overly joyful for all that I have ... to be loved and to love, family, friends who have grown to be family, sisters of my heart, free time, health, gifts and talents.  My life is like this yard of flowers, dotted with spectacular color and design.  My heart is filled with gratitude!

Vessel for Words

I was an accomplice

in my own

frustration.

Peter Shaffer

During the last few days, challenges frustrated me beyond my tolerance for impatience.  I am challenged by technology as I just want things to work without mastering the process!

What should have been an easy transition in changing my phone number from Tennessee back to Illinois became equivalent to applying for citizenship.  I cannot imagine how people come up with false identities when I can barely find acceptance of my own.

In the meantime, for whatever reason, I was unable to post on my blog.  I accept my limitations with technology and admit most errors are my own, but for thirty-six hours, I was unable to navigate the procedure of publishing on this blog.  Mind you, I have nearing 700 postings on this blog, most of which have been created daily within the last few years.  You would think I could remedy problems of this sort, but alas, I could not.

I had access to three computers and yet, I could not achieve my long standing goal.  I became so frustrated I was emotionally on tilt.  I wrote six different posts and each one magically disappeared.  I would foolishly grieve the loss, but with courage began once again with a new topic as if that would make a difference.

Desperate, I began a conversation with those who remain invisible toying with both my head and machines. 

"Is there something in particular I need to address?" 

Long pause with no response. 

"Do you find my subject matter offensive?"

Even longer pause without a nudge to indicate which direction I needed to go.

Then out of nowhere, one of the computers began to accept my random post and all was well in my strange little world!  I had

difficulty remembering what I had written and what I had not.  Which pictures had I deleted all for not? 

Being me, I question what lesson this challenge had brought so off to the deck with my journal and thoughts.  I happen to process well with the written word and of course that process of discovery and 'knowing' it was explained why I was so frustrated. 

I love to write.  I truly feel that I am a vessel for words.  It is in the silence my inspiration arrives and flows from my hands to your ears to hear as you read with your eyes.  I don't think there is anything special I may or may not express, but it remains my intention that some little word, phrase or story will awaken a part of your most inner self.  It would seem that I believe Divine Spirit can and will work through my words to open your heart and broaden perceptions of what you mean to the world.

Sinking into the Solitude



 You Reading This, 

Be Ready

Starting here, what do you want to remember? 

How sunlight creeps along the shining floor?

What scent of old wood hovers,

what softened sound from outside

fills the air?

Will you ever bring a better gift for the world

than the breathing respect that you carry

wherever you go right now?

Are you waiting

for time to show you some better thoughts?

When you turn around,

starting here,
lift this
new glimpse that you found;

carry into evening all that you want from this day.

This interval you spent reading

or hearing this,

keep it for life ~

What can anyone give you greater than now,

starting here,
right in this room,

when you turn around?

William Stafford

As the sun slips down into the horizon, I too seem to settle into the approaching darkness.  I have noticed the smallest of things today, and have overlooked that which looms before me.  

I have held dearly the clouds in the pristine sky, the fragrance of the wisteria, and the chirping of the birds building a nest in the tree in the moments of my day.  In learning to carry these glimpses into my evening I am quiet and still.  I fear by turning around I will find that I am not present at all as I am sinking into the solitude of my soul. 

 

Hidden Silences

One of the tasks of true friendship

is to listen compassionately and 

creatively to the hidden silences. 

Often secrets are not revealed in words, 

they lie concealed in the silence 

between the words 

or in the depth of what is 

unsayable between two people. 

A BOOK OF CELTIC WISDOM 

~John O'Donohue 

Anam Cara 

No matter how diverse a circle of women, an unseen bond secures the circle. Over time, each woman in the group experiences the opportunity to articulate the silence dwelling within her heart. Even when fear holds words captive, the women offer understanding and encouragement embracing any unspoken declaration.

When we are separated from our friends, time passes, and life moves on. Then we find ourselves joyfully visiting one or all of our friends and the conversation seems to pick up right where it left off.

There is something endearing about looking into the eyes of a 'sister of the heart' and experiencing a special knowing that silently passes between you. A voiceless communication transpires securing the bond of the relationship.

In a circle of women or in the presence of a dear friend, one does not always find appropriate words. Women capable of listening with compassion to what is not being said is a greater gift than being 'silver tongued'. Even if the women do not totally understand each other, their simple presence brings comfort.

Having a place to sit with our hidden silences is priceless. When we feel totally accepted there is a restoration of spirit. We have newly found courage to move forward once again.

Going Within ...

It takes a sensitive ear

to tune in to the

silence of the heart,

but it is there in each one of us.

The Daily Om

Nurturing Body, Mind, & Spirit

There was an earlier time when I believed enlightenment could only be experienced in a mountain monastery or in the presence of a spiritual guru. After years of seeking, I slowly discovered enlightenment residing inside of myself.  

Resources are wonderful ... books, lectures, trainings, mystical experiences ... but you can save a lot of money and time if you simply go within as you already have everything you need.  You just need to quiet your mind and listen.

Simply light a candle sitting comfortably in a chair.  Let your mind be distracted by observing the dance of the flame.  Breathe deeply and slowly while your heart opens spreading love throughout your body.  Feel the calm melting away thoughts and fears.  It is within this created space where silence resides.   Your body relaxes into this solitude and you can hear your heart speak ... maybe without words, or with color and images, senses or feelings, or a strong impression.

It is best to have no expectations and to keep an open mind.  Results may not be noticed for several hours.  If you fall asleep during the process, your heart still speaks as your spirit listens.

Try to maintain an awareness afterwards in order to recognize the synchronicity this experience provides