“But now I have learned to listen to silence.
To hear its choirs singing the song of ages,
chanting the hymns of space,
and disclosing the secrets of eternity.“
Khalil Gibran
Across history and tradition, there have been those who have retreated from the world, renouncing all that they once enjoyed and forsaking what the world still offered. What did they hope to find in a life of solitude? Enlightenment? Wisdom? Yet, are not the fruits of enlightenment meant to be applied to life in the world, rather than apart from it? Is not wisdom’s true worth realized when it’s imparted to others? These people, as we understand, left the world with no intention of returning. What else could explain what they were seeking, if not something of a spiritual nature—an encounter in which there could only be two participants: the human, and that which is found in silence?
Religious movements toward a life of solitude bear witness to this interior longing—hinting at something of deep value to be encountered there. Austere movements within the Christian tradition provoke our wonder and curiosity—among them, the 3rd century Egyptian Desert Fathers and Mothers; the hermitages of the Eastern Orthodox tradition, with its cave-dwelling hermits; and the silent monasteries of the West.
We have indications from Scripture as to the mystery found in silence, and traces of it come forth from the hidden lives of these contemplatives. Yet the answer can also be found within our own experiences and being. In encounters with Mystery, a profound sense of awe settles upon us and we cannot help but fall silent. Thoughts and words momentarily cease, and a felt sense of wonder arises from within:
Silence is our natural response to an experience of the Divine.
Together, let us explore the wisdom teachings and the gifts that silence offers, not only to the contemplatives of past and present, but for each of us here seeking a deeper communion with the Divine. This deeper exploration will prepare us for the next part of our contemplative journey together, Waypoint 3 — The Inward Journey, where we will discover how, from the stillness of our hearts, we can come more fully into our true selves and the promised fullness of life.3
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1Photo by Johny Goerend on Unsplash.
2Khalil Gibran, AZ Quotes, accessed Dec 19, 2025, https://www.azquotes.com/author/5491-Khalil_Gibran/tag/silence.
3“I have come that they may have life, and have it in all its fullness,” John 10:10 BSB.
