Sandwiched between the topics of obedience and humility, Benedict providentially wrote of the importance of silence. His admonition is important to all of us. Too often we are quick to speak. We share our opinions, critiques, desires, fears, and self-valued wisdom with anyone who will pause long enough to offer us an audience.
Social media has become another avenue of “speaking” to others regardless of their desire to hear us. After all, “I have a right to express myself.” Even as I write this article, I feel conflicted by my intent in sharing it. Is my desire to share time honored guidance of spiritual formation, or imposing my thoughts on an audience of readers? I pray that it is the former and not the latter, but also I pray that you forgive me of anything but the purest motivation for sharing.
Many of the tenets of The Rule (perhaps all of them) initiate a wrestling of the soul. This brief chapter may be one of the most testing for the adherent. To wrestle with the discipline of silence effectively one must fully understand the challenge.
Monastic silence can be witnessed by visiting a Benedictine monastery. There are periods of non-talking, especially in the late evening and early morning hours, but at other times there are deep conversations exploring every facet of life. There is singing, whistling, humming, and yes – laughter. These are not examples of disobedience to Chapter 6, but expressions of understanding its meaning. As Sr. Chittister writes, “The goal of monastic silence, and monastic speech, is respect for others, a sense of place, a spirit of peace. The Rule does not call for absolute silence; it calls for thoughtful talk.”[1] Imagine a community of silence from ridicule, criticism, misjudgment, grumbling, crude talk, and amusement at the expense of others. What would such a place look like? Peace-full? It may be a glimpse of Heaven that Benedict is promoting through his call to silence.
The value of silence practiced has the power to eclipse the pride of speech. This is true for everyone and especially the religious, the priest or pastor, the religious leaders from whom advice and opinions are often sought (and may over time be too readily offered). The best advice and opinion may lay within the other, provided by God’s Holy Spirit, and waiting to be coaxed out from their spirit by questioning silence. The religious, the priest or pastor, the religious leader risks squelching the voice of the Holy Spirit by their personal desire to satisfy their own pride, their own feeling of need to possess the wisdom to cure all concerns, their own discomfort with the silence. Whatever the reason for one’s drive to break the silence with their own wisdom, sharing their own experience, telling their own story, Benedict urges them to pause in silence. Listen to the other. Listen to God.
Finally, Benedict’s call to silence is grounded in the inspiration of Holy Scripture. Considering the wisdom of Proverbs 10, he quotes, “In a flood of words you will not avoid sin.” He cites the Psalmist’s example, “I have put a guard on my mouth. I was silent and was humbled, and I refrained even from good words.”[2] There is a kinship between silence and humility, even when the words that we want to share are good words. So, when we desire to share our great wisdom let us ask permission to do so. Sr. Chittister concludes her reflection on this chapter of silence with the following wonderful illustration,
Once upon a time a disciple asked the elder, “How shall I experience my oneness with creation. And the elder answered, “By listening.” The disciple pressed the point: “But how am I to listen?” And the elder taught, “Become an ear that pays attention to every single thing the universe is saying. The moment you hear something you yourself are saying, stop.”
[1] Chittister, Joan, A Spirituality for the 21st Century, New York, NY: Crossroads, 2016. pg. 74.
[2] The Rule of St. Benedict in English, Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press, 1982. pg. 31.
