Things to Do After Returning from Silence

Silent meals together on retreat

by Erin Sim after participating in the Spring Woodland Quiet Directed Retreat. Shared with permission.

• Save up higher quality things to say, then speak.

• Listen with greater intensity, as you did to the fire; to the wind rushing the tree branches; for birds your ears now struggle to hear; to the chickens whose conversation never failed to make you grin and want to join in; to the soft purr of kitten, as soft as his fur in so many equally soft shades of orange; to the endless voice of thunder rolling across lightning shattered darkness; to the tell-tale sounds of someone either in or wanting to use the shared bathroom; to the barest tap of soul bowl set on plate by a man accustomed to silence and its creation; to the sound of gravel crackling under car tires at your arrival and, too soon, at your departure.

• Let the silence you packed and brought home with you overwhelm the drone of the supermarket’s parking lot recording letting everyone know the parking lot is under surveillance for our safety. Remember how safe you felt in the quiet darkness.

• Give yourself an extra half hour after waking, to write and reflect on whether your writing feels true in your body.

• Conjure up in memory the paths the Quiet Retreat director led you along with his thoughtful questions during the daily hour of speech.

• Continue to let the tears fall as you are moved.

• Continue to be moved.

• Continue to find wild places in your own world where you can sit and be silently aware of all that’s around you, even without a cat.

• Understand that words respectfully exchanged, parts of ourselves openly shared and warmly accepted, are as sacred as silences.

• Learn that “No” is an acceptable word to use to buy yourself some time for silence.

• Remember that not everything has to be spoken, written, or shared.

• Remember that your own heart is a good listener, and that it does not need your volume set on high.

• Remember that most of what you speak should include “Thank you.” “I love you.” “Alleluia.”