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SILENCE AND SOLITUDE

Thoughts on Silence and Solitude

From Celebration of Discipline (Foster 2018)

Jesus calls us from loneliness to solitude. The fear of being left alone petrifies people. …Our fear of being alone drives us to noise and crowds. We keep up a constant stream of words even if they are inane. …But loneliness or clatter are not our only alternatives. We can cultivate an inner solitude and silence that sets us free from loneliness and fear. Loneliness is inner emptiness. Solitude is inner fulfillment. (Foster, Richard. Celebration of Discipline. HarperOne, 2018. p 96.)



Solitude is more a state of mind and heart than it is a place. There is a solitude of the heart that can be maintained at all times. …If we possess inward solitude we do not fear being alone, for we know that we are not alone. Neither do we fear being with others, for they do not control us. In the midst of noise and confusion we are settled into a deep inner silence. Whether alone or among people, we always carry with us a portable sanctuary of the heart. (Foster, Richard.Celebration of Discipline. HarperOne, 2018. p 96-97.)

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Note - When experiencing spiritual practices, you may feel uncomfortable in silence or derailed. It is ok to feel uncomfortable. This experience can be very different from our daily norm and comfort zone. Don’t fight that! Embrace being uncomfortable. Rather than trying to avoid your discomfort, examine it! If you get stuck. Journal and ask God to show you what is getting in your way. You may want to use the Welcoming Prayer to help you process this.



Though silence sometimes involves the absence of speech, it always involves the act of listening. Simply to refrain from talking without a heart listening to God, is not silence. (Foster, Richard. Celebration of Discipline. HarperOne, 2018. p 98.)

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SMPL is great if you:

  • Want a daily connection with Jesus through the Bible.

  • Have daily time with Jesus and the Bible, but are looking for something that will permeate from your head more deeply into your heart.

  • Are looking for a community of brothers and sisters to share your relationship with Jesus.

WHAT PEOPLE SAY

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If there’s a day that I missed practicing SMPL, I could tell you that on those days the challenges that I battle with so much and lack of peace were apparent to me.

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I think it is insane that when you draw near to God he will draw near to you. This is proving to be more and more and more true. In times of anxiety, anger, and fear, I am able to hear God’s heart better, more accurately.

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This spiritual discipline has been an absolute game changer in my relationship with Jesus.

I had grown weary of stale Bible studies that only engaged my mind but not my heart.

...You will be surprised at how powerfully Jesus speaks to you, often in ways you didn’t expect.

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