Levels of Silence

#Molinos #100DaysintheSecretPlace #OolaFaith #FindingOola #Silence

"You must enter into Silence if you would hear the Divine Voice within you." Molinos

There's a reason some monasteries are silent. Some believe the soul, or seat of emotions, is evil. They believe talking to one another stirs the soul up and awakens evil.

I don't believe my soul, or my emotions are evil. But I do know my soul can be wounded. And when the wounds in my soul get poked, prodded, or provoked, I tend to react in unhealthy, even sinful ways.

How do soul wounds get healed?

• In God's presence.

• Applying God's word to the wound.

• Replacing the Truth of God for the lie, which is the root of the wound.

I have experienced the place of the Deep Abiding. I've experienced the unearthly Peace and Joy and unbroken communion with God. And I testify that God's word is alive and active and the source of all healing.

But how do you get to the place of Deep Abiding?

Surrender is the door and Silence is the staircase to the Deep Abiding.

Molinos lists 3 kinds of silence:

1. A silence of words

2. A silence of desires

3. A silence of thoughts

When we cease talking we can begin to listen. At first we hear only the external; other voices, mechanical sounds of the working world, nature. But eventually we hear the inward, even our own heart beat. There is virtue in talking less and listening more.

Denying our desires a voice, intentionally, and systematically, we overcome their incessant demands. Then we experience the quietness of a contented child.

Lastly, as we take every thought captive, and lay hold of the silence of thoughts, we find the centre, where Christ dwells.

Here, in the center, God speaks with our inward being. He communicates directly to our spirit. He teaches us Himself. He guides us. He shares from His secret and hidden heart. Here His truth eradicates the lies that wound our soul.

Driving up will power, to forsake the things of the world, will not lead us to the Deep Abiding. Renouncing our desires and hiding away in a monastery, cannot conquer them. There must be an inward work.

This deep work can only be accomplished through the door of surrender and down the staircase of silence. When we descend the staircase of silence we find rest for our body, soul and spirit. It is here He transforms us into Himself.