Have you ever noticed how loud life has become?
From the moment we wake up, we’re met with alarms, the virtual noise of scrolling through newsfeeds, pings from apps, and the constant hum of conversation and motion. Even in our downtime, we fill the gaps: podcasts on walks, background music while we cook, and the TV on as we fall asleep.
In a world that never seems to quiet down, silence can often feel like a stranger. And yet, many of us feel such relief when we finally meet it again.
Why Silence Matters
Silence isn’t just the absence of noise. It’s something that can be felt: a space in which we can hear more deeply. In stillness, we begin to notice not just the rustling of wind in the trees or the rhythm of our breath, but also the quiet voice of the soul.
Studies have shown that time spent in silence can lower stress, improve memory, and restore our cognitive resources. But beyond the science, spiritual traditions around the world have long known what we are just starting to remember: silence is sacred.
In Ignatian spirituality, silence is not just an empty pause. It is a crucial practice that facilitates a deeper connection with God and self-discovery. It creates the stillness needed to listen not just to God’s guidance but also to the inner movements of our own hearts. As Benedictine Christopher Jamison shares in his book Finding Happiness, “Silence is a gateway to the soul, and the soul is the gateway to God.”
In the quiet, as distractions fall away, we begin to notice what we’ve been carrying: unspoken longings, buried hopes, quiet fears, and tender gratitude. It’s in this space that discernment becomes possible. We begin to recognize what brings us life and what drains us, what is ours to carry, and what we can gently let go. Silence becomes a place of return — a way to come home to ourselves and to the deeper voice that calls us toward love, purpose, and presence.
The Discomfort and Invitation of Stillness
Yet for many of us, silence can be uncomfortable. We often resist it. When we stop and sit in stillness, it can feel like our minds get even noisier, flooding with thoughts. Emotions can rise when we are faced with our own restlessness.
We live in a culture that teaches us that our busyness justifies our worth and the louder we are, the more relevant we are. In that context, silence can feel like doing nothing. But what if slowing to stillness isn’t a withdrawal from life but a deeper way of engaging with it?
Simple Ways to Reconnect with Stillness
You don’t have to retreat to the forests or spend days in silence to reconnect with stillness (although we do highly recommend it!).
Here are a few simple ways to begin just where you are:
- Unplug for a morning. No screens, no music — just you and whatever the day brings. Notice how your body and mind react to this time away from the abundance of inputs we normally receive.
- Take a slow walk in nature. Let the sounds of birds, wind, and leaves be your soundtrack. Do not rush. This isn’t a workout. Take in as much of your surroundings as you can.
- Sit for five minutes a day. Close your eyes. Breathe. Let the silence hold you. Set a timer if you need to, but if you can help it, try not to watch the clock.
- If you have a day available, try a Day of Quiet at Loyola House, or even just spend a day in contemplative practice. Even a few hours of quiet can be deeply renewing.
- Silence doesn’t demand perfection — only presence. There’s no wrong way to practice stillness, only an invitation to return when we grow restless.
Rooted in Stillness
When we learn to rest in stillness, even briefly, we find ourselves returning to the world more grounded, more spacious, more fully present. Silence doesn’t take us away from life: it allows us to become more rooted so that we can engage in our day-to-day activities from a place of peace.
So today, wherever you are, take a moment. Turn off the noise. Step outside. Breathe. Let the quiet in. You might be surprised by what you hear.
Ready to dedicate some time towards silence? We have a Day of Quiet unguided silent retreat coming up on May 9th. Come enjoy eveything IJC has to offer, including a delicious lunch from Loyola House Kitchen. More details and registration are here.