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Posted by Brother Matthew Michael
February 22, 2019 -
406 views
We live in a world of constant distraction. Even as I write this to you I am using an electronic instrument of distraction. As I go about the world in my daily life I try to remain as silent as possible, only to be asked the inevitable question; "Why don't you talk more"? People love to hear themselves talk, so much so that if you don't join in on their obligatory social chatter-fest they might well become offended. They tend to feel that if you don't go out of your way to converse with them then you're "too good" for them...snooty, uppity, etc. While this may be true for some nothing could be further from the truth for the mystic. We choose a path of silence because we have little to gain from idle chatter and much to learn by listening to others.
The distractions of television and radio are well known, as well as the distractions of social media. They all have their usefulness. We must remember, however, that we are made primarily to love and worship God and to (eventually) acheive full union with him. If we live a life of constant chatter and distraction this cannot happen. We must make time to pray, to contemplate, to meditate, but most importantly to LISTEN to the voice of Almighty God through our silence. To speak little and listen much, not to those surrounding us on this plane of existence, but to the one who created us in the higher realms of glory.
Brother Matthew Michael
