Communing with Silence: Discovering Inner Harmony

Imagine a moment when words and sounds give way to a deep inner harmony. This state is not merely the absence of noise but an active immersion into the immeasurable substance of silence, capable of filling our soul with peace and inner balance. In this unique experience, one consciously disconnects from the familiar world of sounds to encounter a higher presence that permeates the very essence of being.

Reflections on this state are evident in the experience of a woman who, rejecting traditional prayer words, allowed herself to spend time in quiet contemplation. As a result, she was able to feel that silence possesses its own “internal volume,” where external calm merges with internal serenity, bestowing the sense of the presence of something truly transcendent. Observing this harmony, she stated that true presence is immeasurable and full of balance – something much greater than merely the absence of sounds.

A similar experience is also reflected in the words of a spiritual mentor who advised setting aside time for quiet contemplation. By following this advice, the woman sensed that when it comes to praying, words cannot convey the full depth of presence, whereas silence, on the contrary, helps one feel the warmth and care of the Higher Power face to face.

Thus, intentional communion with silence becomes a powerful tool for attaining inner peace and renewing the soul. This state opens the door to the realization that in simple and unpretentious contemplation lies the deep harmony capable of transforming one’s perception of the world and bestowing a sense of genuine unity with a higher reality.

What does the phrase “to commune with silence” mean and how can such communion influence a person’s inner world?

The phrase “to commune with silence” implies a conscious turn toward a state of inner calm, where one refrains from the habitual stream of words and sounds, allowing inner silence to reveal itself and fill one’s inner world. It is not merely the absence of noise but an active experience in which silence is perceived as a distinct substance, possessing its own “internal volume” capable of imparting the sense of the presence of something higher.

For instance, in one excerpt from link an experience is described of a woman who was asked to “sit for fifteen minutes and simply knit in the presence of the Lord without uttering a single word of prayer.” Subsequently, she shared:
"I noticed that the silence was not merely the absence of sound and noise, that it had another substance. This silence was not the absence of something; it was the presence of something. The silence had an inner volume. The external silence came and merged with inner calm and quiet. Suddenly, I felt that silence is a presence. In the heart of this silence, there was He, who is complete silence, complete peace, complete balance" (source: link ).

Such a “conversation” with silence allows a person to experience profound inner peace, find equilibrium in the soul, and discover another level of perception of reality. In another example, cited from link , Lord Anthony recounts that after his guidance on setting aside time for quiet contemplation was followed, the woman said:
"It is astonishing, when I pray to God, that is, when I speak with Him, I feel nothing; but when I sit quietly, face to face with Him, I feel as if enveloped in His presence" (source: link ).

Thus, “to commune with silence” means not just the physical absence of sounds, but the creation of a space in which the inner silence, with its special substance, can fill the soul with peace, balance, and a sense of the presence of a higher order. This state allows one to experience moments of true harmony and gives the opportunity for the inner world to renew itself and be filled with profound meaning.

Supporting citation(s):
"I noticed that the silence was not merely the absence of sound and noise, that it had another substance. This silence was not the absence of something, it was the presence of something. The silence had an inner volume..." (source: link )

"It is astonishing, when I pray to God, that is, when I speak with Him, I feel nothing; but when I sit quietly, face to face with Him, I feel as if enveloped in His presence" (source: link )