Need a burst of brilliance in a flash? This inspiring article is a speedy 2-minute adventure. But if you’re ready to put on your explorer hat and journey to the very heart of the matter, our menu is your treasure map to deeper understanding!
A message from today’s meditation:
Sunday meditation is dedicated to silence, and I enjoy seeking wisdom from great teachers on the value of silence to accompany a Sunday morning journey of togetherness.
Today’s message is based on the work of Thomas Merton, an American Catholic monk, writer, mystic, poet, and scholar. He authored over 70 books, and numerous poems and essays.. His writings span a wide range of genres and subjects, including autobiography, spirituality, social criticism, and interfaith dialogue. Merton was a prominent advocate for peace and nonviolence, and his later work focused on East-West dialogue and a deeper understanding of Asian religions, particularly Zen Buddhism. His influential autobiography, The Seven Storey Mountain, brought him international fame and continues to inspire readers seeking a deeper spiritual life.
“Not all of us are called to be hermits, but all of us need enough silence and solitude in our lives to enable the deeper voice of our own self to be heard, at least occasionally.” – Thomas Merton
“In a world of noise, confusion and conflict – it is necessary that there be places of silence, inner discipline and peace. In such places love can blossom.” – Thomas Merton
“Let me seek then the gifts of silence and poverty and solitude, where everything I touch is turned into a prayer. Where the sky is my prayer, the birds are my prayer, even the wind in the trees is my prayer. For God is all, in all.” – Thomas Merton
“In silence God ceases to be an object and becomes an experience.” – Thomas Merton
Practically speaking, silence can be woven into modern life in micro-doses. Commute with the radio off. Close your eyes for two minutes between meetings. Put the phone in airplane mode while you sip your morning coffee. Notice which thoughts clamor for attention when the volume drops. Meet them with curiosity rather than judgment, then escort your awareness back to breath and body. Over time, these “pockets of nothing” reveal themselves to be full of guidance, creativity, and peace.
There is no destination that you can travel to and finally find God. If God is to be “found” anywhere, it is within YOU, and the surest pathway to knowing the presence of God is through a practice of silence.
Where there is nothing, there can only be God…
A few thoughts to help you explore silence:
- Where can I create pockets of silence in my day?
- What thoughts and distractions arise when I attempt silence?
- How can I use this silence to connect with myself and the divine?
Remember, silence isn’t about complete isolation. It’s about creating space within the noise to reconnect with the quiet wisdom that resides within. As you embark on this journey, may you discover the profound truth that God is not “out there” waiting to be found; God is the very essence of “here and now,” waiting to be experienced through the transformative power of silence.
I hope you have a really beautiful day.
– pierre –
Today’s LIVE meditation is: Finding silence.
A moment of reflection
(If you have the time, use this question as a journal prompt, because whenever you put pen to paper you’re wiring the neural pathways that create your new habits. But if you don’t have the time, just take a moment to reflect on your response.)
Silence as Prayer: Merton speaks of turning everything he touches into prayer, where even the wind and birds become sacred. What everyday activity could become a contemplative practice for me, cultivating the ability to see the divine or meaningful in the mundane? And how might that shift my perception of the sacred?
Today’s LIVE meditation
https://youtu.be/0SCASgv6r94 2025
https://youtu.be/ahvfb26ErwU 2023
Q&A for deeper learning
1. Q: I feel anxious and restless when I try to sit in silence. Am I doing something wrong?
A: Not at all—this is completely normal and actually a sign that the practice is working. When we remove external distractions, our mind naturally brings forward all the thoughts, worries, and emotions we’ve been unconsciously avoiding. This restlessness is your psyche’s way of processing. Instead of fighting these feelings, try observing them with curiosity. Ask yourself: “What is this anxiety trying to tell me?” The goal isn’t to achieve perfect peace immediately, but to develop a compassionate relationship with whatever arises in silence.
2. Q: I’m not religious. Does this practice require belief in God?
A: Absolutely not. When Merton speaks of “God,” you can understand this as whatever represents ultimate meaning, connection, or truth for you—your deepest self, universal consciousness, the interconnectedness of life, or simply the profound mystery of existence. The practice is about moving from seeking answers externally to experiencing whatever is most authentic within you. Whether you call it God, Source, your higher self, or simply inner wisdom, the transformative power of silence remains the same.
3. Q: How much time do I need to dedicate to this practice? I have a very busy life.
A: The beauty of this practice is that it’s not about quantity but quality. Even two minutes of genuine silence can be transformative. You might find pockets throughout your day: the first few minutes after waking, sitting in your car before going into work, or the last moments before sleep. Thomas Merton’s insight was that we need “enough silence” to hear our deeper voice “at least occasionally.” Start small and notice how even brief moments of intentional silence begin to shift your relationship with yourself and your day.
4. Q: What do I do with all the thoughts that come up during silence? Should I try to stop thinking?
A: Don’t try to stop thinking—that’s like trying to stop the ocean from having waves. Instead, practice observing your thoughts as they arise without getting caught up in their content. Imagine yourself sitting by a river, watching thoughts float by like leaves on the water. Some thoughts will be urgent, some emotional, some random. Notice them, acknowledge them, and let them continue their journey. The goal isn’t to control your mind but to develop a different relationship with it—one where you’re the compassionate observer rather than being swept away by every mental current.
5. Q: How will I know if this practice is “working”? What changes should I expect?
A: The changes are often subtle at first. You might notice increased patience in stressful situations, a greater ability to pause before reacting, or moments of unexpected clarity about decisions. Many people report feeling more grounded and less dependent on external validation. The shift Merton describes—from seeking God/truth/peace as an object “out there” to experiencing it as your natural state—often happens gradually. You may find yourself less compulsively seeking answers and more comfortable with uncertainty, more able to trust your inner knowing.
6. Q: I live with others/have children/work in a noisy environment. How can I practice silence when my life is constantly full of noise?
A: External silence isn’t always necessary for inner silence. This practice is about finding the quiet space within yourself, regardless of external circumstances. You can practice while walking, during routine activities, or even in the midst of noise by turning your attention inward. Sometimes the most profound experiences of inner silence happen in busy environments when you suddenly discover that still center within the storm. Consider that Merton found the divine in everyday sounds—birds, wind, the ordinary world around him. Your practice might involve finding that sacred internal space while fully engaged with your responsibilities and relationships.