In the monastic tradition, the practice of keeping silence was called “magnum silentium” or the great silence. The great silence is not merely being quiet but listening more to the voice coming from the depths of our being; hence, it is not emptiness but fullness with the non dual Oneness. It is in silence where we truly discover our higher selves and others too. We are, after all, only drops of the ocean and we tend to identify only with the specialness of our single droplethood rather than the ocean from which we have separated ourselves.
To be silent is not merely to stop work nor stop from being busy. We are silent to reconnect with that from which we came and to which we will return while we go about our activities.
When we reconnect with our Transcendent Source peace arises. If we feel anxious we are on the wrong track although to drop and transcend our small self ego often makes us anxious initially. Stick with the shedding of the ego and peace will arise.
The monk said to the hot dog vendor, "Make me one with everything."
The monk gave the hot dog vendor $5.00 for a $2.50 hot dog.
When the monk asked the hot dog vendor for his change, the vendor said, "Oh monk, you should know more than anyone that change comes from within."
It would be good to take a “day of recollection” at least once per month, and a retreat for three days at least twice per year in the spring and in the fall when we practice the magnum silentium and spend the day(s) in contemplation and meditation.
When we are more centered the grief from loss diminishes and our faith is not only sustained but nurtured and expands.
Have you ever taken a day of recollection or gone on retreat? If so, what has been your experience?
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