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Karen Casey

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October 9, 2011

Seeking the silence is a true gift. . .

I spent a few days this past week enjoying a silent retreat at the Benedictine Center in Maplegrove, MN .  In fact, the retreat was more than enjoyable.  It was a blissful experience.  I had gone to many retreats in my lifetime and have led even more retreats than I have attended.  But I have never been silent for three days.  I unplugged my phone; left my computer at home; had no television, radio or newspapers at my disposal.  The quiet claimed my attention. Nothing more.

Many asked me what was I looking for, including the spiritual director I met with on two occasions.  My answer was freedom from the noise in my head.  Did I get it?  I’d have to say, yes and no.  At first my mind still talked to me.  But before the first day was over, I got the hang of it and simply enjoyed my time with the God of my understanding.   He is there always, of course, but the distractions in my life are many.  Not all of them troublesome or even unwanted.  But I did need to “escape” from the world and the only way that seemed viable was to do what I did.

During those three days I was reintroduced to Brother Lawrence and his wonderful “conversations” as printed in the book: The Practice of the Presence of God, a tiny book of barely 100 pages that my mother-in-law introduced me to in my early recovery when I shared with her my struggle to know God.

Brother Lawrence was a 17th Century Carmelite monk who lived in France.  He entered the order when he was 18. He was on kitchen detail for the first 15 years he lived in the monastery and it was while washing dishes, peeling potatoes, cooking meals and tending to other kitchen duties that he learned to walk in the presence of God.  

When Sister Carol gave me two reading assignments, that had come to her in prayer even before she met me,  I was stunned when one of them referenced Brother Lawrence.  How did she know?  God is indeed mysterious and so ever-present.  To all of us.  Rereading his words and those of Teresa of Avila too, I felt centered once again.  Let me be clear;  I don’t consider myself “a religious person,” but I am eager to find answers, peace of mind and comfort.  All three are available from the God of my understanding.  Having the time for three days to reconnect, while in the silence, was a wonderful gift to myself, one that I intend to experience on regularly scheduled intervals from now on.

 

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karencasey

I am an author, a lecturer, and a workshop presenter. I have presented programs throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, Germany, and Ireland. As of July, 2010 I have published 23 books, with number 24 being released in spring of 2011 and a memoir underway. For a listing of my books and ordering information, go to www.womens-spirituality.com. To contact me about presenting a program in your area, call 239-398-6327 or e-mail me from my web site or at jcasey4991@aol.com

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4 Comments
  • Mary Bugle
    October 26, 2011

    Hi Karen, thanks for this article. This is something that I have been thinking about a lot recently.

    In this fast paced world it is not often that we get to spend 3 hours begin silent let alone 3 days. I think that if we all tried your approach and attempted to spend some time with our own company: no phone, no laptop and no emails, we would all be much better people for it.

    Thanks for a great article, given me inspiration to try my own retreat (even if it is just for a few hours)

    Mary

    Reply
    • karencasey
      Mary Bugle
      October 26, 2011

      Thanks so much for writing, Mary. I highly recommend finding at least a day when you can relish a few hours of silence. Peace. Karen

      Reply
  • Jamie Morgan
    October 15, 2011

    Thank you for sharing on the topic of silence. It is something I often search for. It is getting less and less about the ‘noise’ of life around me and more and more about the peace within me. I have noticed that my prayers center around asking God for peace or his guidance to that peace.
    I love the idea of a retreat, and of course say ‘someday’. Another of life’s gifts found out the hard way is the fact that I know that there always isn’t that ‘someday’.

    Carpe diem,
    Jamie Morgan

    Reply
    • karencasey
      Jamie Morgan
      October 16, 2011

      Thank you so much Jamie. Don’t let the time for the silence get away from you. Make the time. I did.
      Peace,
      Karen

      Reply

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