Question:
"In the Old Testament we read that
there is 'a time to keep silence and a time to speak' (Ecclesiastes 3:7). What
is the value of silence and quiet in a time when we are always 'plugged
in'?"
Answer:
This passage is actually speaking about silence in terms of when we should
speak. However, your question is more focused on silence in terms of removing
distractions from our life, particularly for times of spiritual focus. Both
aspects are important to consider.
What Ecclesiastes
is saying is that there are times when we should speak, and there are times
when we should not. There are times when we can betray God by speaking, and
there are times when we can betray God by our silence. When to speak or when
not to speak is a question of wisdom, and seeking the guidance of the Holy
Spirit.
How does one
acquire the wisdom needed to make the right choices? One thing we need to do is
to inform ourselves by studying the Scriptures, which contain great wisdom. We
should also seek wise counsel, and we should pray for divine guidance. And
then, you have to make what seems to be the wisest choice, but remaining open
to the correction of others and praying that God will correct you, if you have
made the wrong choice.
The Fathers say
quite a bit about the virtues of silence. One good source to read on this is
"The Evergetinos," which is a compilation of sayings of the desert
fathers, but arranged topically, by St. Nicodemus of the Holy Mountain. In
volume 2, beginning on page 353, there is a section entitled "Concerning speech
and silence, how and when to make use of them, and that idle talk is a
sin." Here are a few excerpts from that section:
"An Elder said: "One man thinks that he is
being silent, and yet his heart is judging others; such a man is always
talking. Another man talks from morning until evening and yet keeps silence;
that is, he says nothing that is not beneficial."
"A brother visited a certain Elder and said to
him: "Abba, give me a word, so that I may be saved." The Elder
replied: "If you go to someone, do not hasten to speak before you consider
what you are going to say." Filled with compunction at this saying, the
brother made a prostration and remarked: "Truly, I have read many books,
but never have I come across such learning." Thus edified, he departed."
"Abba Isaiah said: "Wisdom does not consist
in speaking; wisdom means knowing the time when you should speak and when to
reply as necessary. Make it seem that you know nothing, although you have
knowledge, so as to avoid great distress; for he who appears to have knowledge
lays burdens on himself. Do no boast about your knowledge, for no one knows
anything."
"An Elder said: "If you acquire silence, do
not pride yourself on having attained to virtue, but say: 'I am unworthy even
to speak.'""
From St. Diadochos: "Just as, when the doors of
the baths are left continually open, the heat inside is quickly driven out, so
also the soul, when it wishes to say many things, even though everything that
it says may be good, disperses its concentration through the door of the voice.
Hence, the soul, deprived of suitable spiritual ideas, loses the strength to
struggle against thoughts and babbles with anyone it encounters. Since in this
way (through loquacity) the soul drives out the Holy Spirit, it cannot keep the
intellect free from harmful fantasies; for the Good Spirit always flees from
loquacity, which is the cause of every upset and fantasy. Timely silence is
good, since it is nothing other than the mother of the wisest thoughts."
"Two brothers from Sketis wanted to visit Abba
Anthony. They embarked on a boat, and with them embarked a certain Elder, whom
the brothers did not know and who was likewise going to visit Abba Anthony. As
they sat on the boat, the brothers discussed what the Fathers say about the
Scriptures and also talked about their handiwork. The Elder was silent. After
they had disembarked from the boat and reached their destination, Abba Anthony
said to the brothers: "You found good company in this Elder." Then he
said to the Elder: "You had good brothers travelling with you, Abba."
The Elder replied: "They are good, but their house has no door; anyone who
wants to can enter the stable and untie the ass." He said this in order to
show that they said whatever came into their mouths."
Here are some
thoughts on the question of distractions:
"There are a number of important things that
should be observed by those seeking spiritual development. One of these is
physical and mental quiet (hesychia), made possible by living in a quiet place
[or turning off the TV at home, the radio in the car, etc.], away from noise,
confusion, and distractions. Control of talking is another. Such control helps
bring about inner silence, which strengthens a person spiritually, whereas
unnecessary talking does the reverse" (Anchored in God: Life, Art, and Thought on the Holy
Mountain of Athos, Dr. Constantine Cavarnos).
"Silence greatly helps in spiritual life. It is
good for one to practice silence for about an hour a day: to test himself, to
acknowledge his passions and to fight in order to cut them off and purify his
heart. It is very good if there is a quiet room in the house which gives him
the feeling of a monastic cell. There, “in secret”, he is able to do his
spiritual maintenance, to study, and to pray. A little spiritual study done
before prayer helps greatly. The soul warms up and the mind is transported to
the spiritual realm. That’s why, when a person has many distractions during the
day, he should rejoice if he has ten minutes for prayer, or even two minutes to
read something, so as to drive away distractions" (Excerpts from Family Life, by St. Paisios the
Athonite).
We cannot avoid
distractions all of the time, but we need to set aside times when we
intentionally avoid them, so that we can make progress in the spiritual life.
Great Lent is one tenth of the year. We should treat it as a tithe, and
especially set this time apart for spiritual focus. This does mean we need to
cut down the usual noise, and spend more time in prayer, more time reading the
Scriptures and other spiritually edifying books, and more time in the services
of the Church.
By Fr. John Whiteford
Source: http://fatherjohn.blogspot.com/2016/03/stump-priest-time-to-keep-silence.html
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