I wasn’t able to fully retreat into silence this week, but I committed to practicing silence in blocks of time. I am looking ahead to Spring break in less than 2 weeks.

Then I will embark more deeply into practicing silence. The snippets of time I’ve attempted silence this week have been small windows into its power.

At those times I noticed an equal feeling of restraint and freedom. Because I was not expecting myself to speak, I was not worrying about what to say, or how my words might come across.

I was not talking just to hear my voice! My responsibility in verbal communication was both constrained and released.

When I am silent I can hear my inner voice, my thoughts, more clearly. I am more aware of them. This has been very revealing. That inner voice is at times jarring.

I have realized the pervasiveness of thoughts of inadequacy and fear. In silence I realize the power and impact of my voice, both my inner and my audible voice.

Today was warm and rainy. I was blessed with time at home today so I practiced silence. The open windows and doors brought the sound of birds and I was reminded of rainy, summer days of my childhood.

A calmness that almost felt like boredom filled my senses, but it wasn’t boredom – that’s just what my childhood self might have called it. It felt more like an openness, a space void of any need to be filled.

There was no commotion. It was very nourishing. I look forward to going deeper into the practice of silence.