Silence and Solitude Resources
Hey there.
Whether you are new to the practice of silence and solitude or just feel rusty at it, you are in the right place. Here are a couple of resources that may answer your questions, give you ideas, or help create guide rails as you begin this spiritual discipline.
“Our time is our life, and our attention is the doorway to our hearts.”
Set a time and place - find a time that works best for you and your stage of life
Set a modest goal - don’t go big, start small
Find what works best - if it’s helpful, keep your hands or body busy
Embrace the wander - It is normal and natural for thoughts, to do list items, random feelings, or dark fears to come up when we minimize our input. Record these if it’s helpful so you can return back later. You can use this time to bring these to God one by one but don’t shame yourself for your mind’s pace. Just return to awareness of Jesus, and bring him your distraction. He is kind to receive it and sit with your busy heart.
Sit in Silent Love
Additional Resources
The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer
How to Unhurry Workbook (contains tangible steps for the exercises mentioned in the video above)
Invitation to Silence and Solitude by Ruth Haley Barton
Sanctuary of the Soul by Richard Foster
Anatomy of the Soul by Curt Thompson
Prayer of Examen Guided Video
In the biblical narrative, the world shalom described the webbing together of differentiated parts. In psychology, the webbing together of differentiated parts in our brain is how healing happens. During silence and solitude, it is a practice that literally changes the paths between neurons in our brain. The Wheel of Awareness works to bring together the what our five senses are bringing in, an awareness of our body sensations, the thoughts that come to our minds to help us mend together our souls, and relationships to bring to the Lord as an attention offering for Him to meet us where we are at.
Wheel of Awareness Recording
More information on the Wheel of Awareness Practice