Interior quietude allows you to experience a strong connection with God no matter what is going on around you. It is like a clear communication channel, one that does not easily succumb to distraction or get drowned out by the “static” of everyday life.
Mental silence takes significant time to build up. It is like working a muscle you didn’t know you had (because most of us don’t even know this level of inner quiet is possible). It takes a while to “find” the muscle and then some more time even to really hone in how you can work on it and make it stronger.
Techniques that can help in this area:
- Foster exterior silence
Exterior silence is what most people think about when they think of silence. It is turning off the television or the radio, or tuning out of texting or social media. Working on this kind of silence is stepping away from heated, or even simply empty, conversations. It can be taking that one extra moment to notice the fresh air after a storm, or just taking a deep breath. It is relishing each moment of peace, from the drive to work in the car, or the quick bathroom hideaway, to the miraculous moment when all talk suddenly seems to cease at once. In “normal” people’s eyes this moment can feel awkward, but for the person looking to grow in their love for silence it is a chance for your soul to breathe.
Wait for your moments of silence. Seek them out. Revel in them.
- Seek to spend time with God alone and undisturbed
This is your version of Jesus “going to a deserted place to pray” (Luke 5:16). Get to know Him better so you can truly “recognize His voice” (John 10:27) and better hear Him “above the noise”.
In this step you might take slightly larger increments of time – 1 hour, 3 hours, a weekend – and spend them specifically with God. Get away to nature by yourself just to walk and contemplate. Sit in the back corner of a church with your eyes closed and your hands open on your knees. Hide in your closet from your kids – even if it is just for 5 minutes. It is 5 minutes dedicated to the most fulfilling person in your life!
- Use a prayer journal
Prayer journals, like the one I describe here, are very good to help you slow down your thoughts and eliminate distractions, plus, they increase focus, clarity and openness. They are especially good for people who are very busy and experience large amounts of stress. A journal might help you really get to the core of what matters most, not to mention help you face yourself and God with greater honesty.
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