Silence and Solitude Enable Us to Hear the Deep Inner Voice of Our Own True Self

"The world of humanity has forgotten the joys of silence, the peace of solitude which is necessary, to some extent, for the fullness of human living. Not all people are called to be hermits, but all need enough silence and solitude in their lives to enable the deep inner voice of their own true self to be heard at least occasionally. When that inner voice is not heard, when we cannot attain to the spiritual peace that comes from being perfectly at one with our own true self, our life is always miserable and exhausting. For we cannot go on happily for long unless we are in contact with the springs of spiritual life which are hidden in the depths of our own soul. If we are constantly exiled from our own home, locked out of our own spiritual solitude, we cease to be a true person. We no longer live as a human being. We become a kind of automaton, living without joy because we have lost our spontaneity. We are no longer moved from within, but only from outside ourselves."

Thomas Merton
"The Silent Life"

Photo: Ice "waves" on The Loch, Rocky Mountain National Park, CO, December 14, 2015

Please visit:  http://www.resourcesforspiritualgrowth.com/