SILENCE – SISTER OF THE DIVINE

by Adam Harbinson

Everyone I meet these days says the same thing; ‘I’m too busy.’ I suppose I’m no different. Last year for me was frenetic, and the funny thing is, more and more people asked me to do more and more things for them because, as they keep saying, ‘If you want something done, ask a busy man.’ I’m not sure about that, maybe a busy man isn’t good at saying no.

Being busy gives the impression that things are happening, but often when the frenzied activity ceases and the dust settles, you see you’ve gone nowhere fast. One thing I've decided, I must improve at distinguishing between the important and the urgent. And it’s difficult, because the urgent is the one that shouts, and stamps its feet, and makes demands. In the midst of all the noise you feel intimidated, and you yield, and important things slide to the back of the queue.

I’m praying for discernment to see that if I allow myself to be intimidated by those who think their arguments are more persuasive simply because they are louder, then the intimidator wins. Enough is never enough. Meet this demand, and tomorrow there’ll be a queue of new demands at the door.

Busyness clouds your vision, it wipes out your ability to take time to sit quietly and think, and to enjoy time with your partner, and your children and your friends.

One of my daughters bought me a book for Christmas: Anam Cara, Irish for Soul Friend. The author, John O’Donohue was an ex-priest, philosopher and a best selling writer, sadly he died this month at the age of 53. I think this i one of his best, and what simple wisdom is in his writings.  He quotes the thirteenth century German theologian Meister Eckhart; ‘Silence is the Sister of the Divine.’  

Still your mind and think about that one for a moment. Can you imagine frantic activity, feverish deadlines and unreasonable demands leading to noisy arguments in God’s presence? Hardly, there’s tranquillity, peace and rest.

So that’s what we need, and don’t yell, ‘I’m too busy!’ for it’s down to choice. Turn the TV off and sit for a while with the Sister of the Divine. Allow her quietness to seep into your being, let it wash over your mind, and then do it again tomorrow. It’s nothing to do with not having time. It’s about choice, and priorities.