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An example of this... Among Quakers, reference is often made of sitting in the Silence to listen for the voice of the Light, and without any technique. While I attend Quaker Meeting, I cannot listen for the Light. I can only sit in openness. Sometimes a brief prayer might arise, then leave, and all left is the fecund, quietful emptiness. On rare occasion I have received something to share with the Meeting. I stand up, share briefly, and sit. To me, in Spirit listening is this passive receptivity. This does not entail expecting any inner message. Receptivity is pure for free of expectation, one is not listening for anything.
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The right listening is performed through the unconditional passiveness of the mind, with our heart and being completely open. We don’t anticipate any ideals and, therefore, there are no expectations to fulfill any result.
*Ilie Cioara. The Silence of the Mind.
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Silence is not, however, the absence of sound. We can engage a time of silence by quieting the mind. And, through silence, we become acquainted with Silence. The Silence is prior to quietness of mind. Silence is the timeless Quality, is ineffable Presence. Traditionally, one can say God is Silence. We practice silence to become one who lives from the Silence, in quiet or amid sound. Amid others in the quiet, we may hear of a deepening silence, but the Silence cannot deepen. The body becomes more passive and receptive in silence to Presence, Silence silencing the body, so this is what is truly implied by a deepening silence.
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The sense of the blessing of this being with others in Silence, which happens when I am in a Quaker Meeting, how it inspires me usually arises after the Meeting, not during it. And, while meditation was once more of a private experience, now central to the blessing is I am present in the Silence with others. We are sharing this communion, together.
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