Man was created as God's silent image, that is, as reflection of God's unified and harmonious nature. His soul was placid or silent like calm water which reflects perfectly the surrounding landscape. This simplicity of soul was pure awareness with simple and one pointed thoughts. He did not suffer from mental distractions. He was aware of the "I", of being a unique creature but did not have the sense of "individuality" which plagues us today, the illusion that I, as a unique person, am self-sufficient. His self-worth did not come from identifying himself with his body, thoughts or possessions.(Hieromonk Damascene, Christ the Eternal Tao, Valaam Books, Platine, CA, p. 217) In other words, he had a placid or silent soul in communion with the God and all creation.

With the fall, man became egocentric. His consciousness shifted from self-awareness to self-consciousness meaning that he and she became preoccupied with oneself.

 

 

 

"Self esteem, like the desire for created things, breaks the Original Harmony, Primal Simplicity."

 

 

Marcus Aurelius, the Stoic Roman emperor, gives us an example of what this means in practice. He wrote,

"There is a type of person who, if he renders you service, has no hesitation in claiming credit for it. Another, although not prepared to go so far as that, will nevertheless regrettably regards you as in his debt and be fully conscious of what he has done. But there is also a man who, we might almost say, has no consciousness of what he has done, like a vine which produces a cluster of grapes and then, having yielded its rightful fruit, looks for no more thanks...." (Marcus Aurelius, Mediations, Penguin Books, 1964, p. 79)

The Christian is also encouraged to strive toward that unselfconscious condition by offering all his or her works to God.

Whatsoever you do in thought, word or deed, do all for the glory of God.

In this way we forget ourselves moving toward that unselfish condition which establishes the soul in "Silence", that silence and peace that only God can give. "A truly silent mind [is not dead but] ... is alert and sensitive to its surroundings. This is because a silent mind is devoid of judging, clinging or rejecting. The silent mind is free from hatred, anger, jealousy, confusion and conflict." This, however, does not mean that we will have no suffering. Rather, the more silent we become the more aware we will be of our sinfulness and our need of Redemption and we will cry out often, "Lord Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner."

 

9. Silent Prayer