When I am liberated by silence,
Thomas Merton
when I am no longer involved in the
measurement of life,
but in the living of it,
I can discover a form of prayer in which
there is effectively, no distraction.
My whole life becomes a prayer.
My whole silence is full of prayer.
The world of silence in which I am immersed
contributes to my prayer.
Let me seek, then, the gift of silence, … and solitude,
where everything I touch is turned into prayer:
where the sky is my prayer,
the birds are my prayer,
the wind in the trees is my prayer,
for God is all in all.
Someone introduced me to the above prayer/poem by Thomas Merton this past Saturday. This prayer resonates with me because both silence and prayer have become a major part of my adult life. I am never the same after standing in the silence and solitude before a predawn sky over Dixon Reservoir. I’ve come to believe it is in the silence and solitude I’m more apt to hear the prayers within me that do transform me. And in that transformation I’ve come to ponder the question, What would our world be like if more people listened in the silence and solitude of prayer? Plus, silence and solitude are great teachers at listening. I’d venture to say the world needs more listeners than talkers.
I began writing this post on Sunday afternoon and will schedule its posting for 7:00 am today, which is when they start my surgery. I’ll let you know how that all turns out later.
8 Comments
Faye White
You’re in my thoughts this morning. 🙏
Monte Stevens
Thanks, Faye. The surgery was a success. I am sore, tired and exhausted. It will take me a few days to recover.
Earl
All our thoughts and warm wishes.
Monte Stevens
And, those thoughts and warm wishes were just what I needed.
Geri Oster
Monte, Bless you for sharing this with us, it is so incredibly timely for me as I finally sit and pause after a challenging day. The stillness of this photo has quieted my heart and mind as I simply sat with it. Thank you. But, my day was buoyed with hope and joy as I kept you in my heart. It’s 5:11pm and I am trusting that you are resting comfortably after what I hope and believe was a very successful procedure. Blessings dear, Monte.
Monte Stevens
Glad you liked the image. I am slowly recovering and expect a week or so before I begin feeling myself, or maybe I need to say, my new self. More will come later.
Mark
Glad to read you are through this hurdle ok Monte. Best wishes on your recovery – may it be speedier than you hoped for.
Monte Stevens
Thank you, Mark. I am hoping it is full and complete.