We live in a world of speech and many times noise. Silence is a dimension of man's existence which is not merely the absence of speech. It is a phenomena that existed before man and is the womb of speech because speech originates in the silence of the soul. "Thought is not based on language. ... There is no essential condition between language and thinking except in two senses: that language is a translating device for the imperfect expression of thought or the awareness of experience; and without thinking humans could not produce language." In its essence, language comes from thought but this does not mean that words do not influence out thoughts and the more complex formulation of other words.

The human face is the frontier between silence and speech and before man speaks "it" abides in the inner silence of his soul as his or her thoughts. Man must alternate between silence and speech because he or she needs to reflect on what he said and on what, if any, he will say. Unfortunately in today's world with its cell phones, speaking has become an addiction without much reflection or silence. The depth that silence can give to speech is no longer there.

We sense the need for silence in the soul when we approach divine mysteries. This becomes explicit in the Christmas Carol "Silent Night". In this hymn we are made aware that all of nature stands in silent wonder at what has come to pass.

Silent night

Silent night, holy night,
All is calm, all is bright
Round yon virgin mother and Child.
Holy Infant, so tender and mild,
Sleep in heavenly peace,
Sleep in heavenly peace.

 

With the revelation of Christ, God also spoke to us through a human nature with a human language but Christ's words have an effect for all human history because they were spoken and are being spoken out of the deep Silence of God. It is the silent working of the Spirit in our souls which prompts us to live the Christian life.

It is true we commonly address God in prayer by using words. "However, it is important to understand that true prayer is beyond words, since, ultimately, God does not communicate with us on the level of language. As St. Theophan the Recluse teaches, words are only used to help support and deepen the real prayer that should be occurring on the level of spirit." (Hieromonk Damascene, Christ the Eterna Tao, Valaam Books, Platina, CA, 1999, p. 334.)

Maister Eckhard has written that "Nothing resembles the language of God so much as silence." Language comes from silence and returns to silence at death and the many languages spoken on earth and possibly throughout the universe are like many expeditions to find the absolute word. (The World of Silence, p. 43) And the absolute word which they are seeking is the Word made Flesh.

 

5. Language of Silencee