A SPIRITUAL JOURNEY TO SILENCE

                        In the last few months I have developed a habit of beginning my day in a state of silence. My backyard is my haven. I have planted beautiful plants and flowers creating a retreat area for myself. It is here I take my treasured books, meditations, pens, notebooks and begin my day before the sun comes up.  For those of you who have been reading my articles for some time, it is here I also enjoy the visits of my beautiful cardinal which has been coming daily ever since our precious Floyd left this realm.

                        Before any reading or writing, I get comfortable, begin clearing my mind, and practice silence. It may be for fifteen minutes, or five minutes. Each day I just follow the lead of the spirit. I have found this practice has changed my life and I want to share the power of this experience with you

                        Silence is a tool worth pursuing and can alter your spiritual and physical life enormously! Silence is getting in touch with the spirit of God within. It is a time we are able to experience the presence without thoughts, feelings, or images to distract us. It is just Being! True silence may only last for a moment, but in that brief moment your life can be dramatically transformed.

                        Scriptures tells us; "Be still and know that I AM God." In stillness of the mind an awakening takes place. We begin to hear a new voice within. A voice which has always been there, but has been dulled by the many voices of the soul. It is the voice of divine spirit we hear. The voice of inspiration. This is the voice which lead and directed Jesus Christ as He fulfilled His purpose in this realm.

                        When we practice silence we become aware of the voices within which must gently and lovingly be brought to rest. It takes practice to truly experience silence, but the quest is well worth it! Silence is a tool which stirs the spirit and helps us get in touch with the divine. It brings in new perceptions, changes our thoughts, and quickens our imagination. Once we touch the presence within, it begins to flow outward as a manifestation of the life of God.

                        It is in silence we are changed, released from bondage, healed in body, and relationships. It is here we enter into the Most Holy Place of our Being. All is very good. All is in perfect order for there is only one in this place, God. All duality experienced in the outer world is swallowed up into the presence. After our encounter in this hoy place, we come forth with a feeling of peace and bliss. We know we are love personified and begin to share love with others. It is here nothing can ever separate us from the love of God and we become whole.

                        Silence is able to forever change us. It can impact our physical life in ways which will amaze us. We will become more sensitive to people and situations which surround us. Nature will become alive and we will feel God's presence everywhere we go. Life becomes a joy and an experience to be treasured.

                        Silence is also a tool we can use when coming to a mountain which seems impossible to climb. As we enter into silence, things miraculously begin to align with truth. We see situations and circumstances from a higher perspective. Fear begin to vanish and we attain an inner knowing we can easily cross the mountain and then expect a rainbow on the other side.

                        Yes, a moment of silence can permeate our whole life, for in that moment we find the pearl of great worth. The amazing thing is, the pearl was always in our house just waiting for silence in our heaven so it could be found!

                        I encourage you to enter into the beautiful realm of silence!

                        Sending Love and Peace From My Silent Place,

                        Mary Lou Houllis
                        Pastor