Sacred Reading:

Read the following readings through twice or three times, with an attitude of open receptivity. Allow a few minutes of silence between the readings. Listen for any words that call out to you, or that draw you into the sacredness of silence that is deeper than your usual knowing:

Psalm 131

Most Gracious Presence,

let me not be arrogant,

nor boast of my virtuous deeds;

Let me not seek fame or set my heart

on the riches of the world.

Help me to calm and quiet my soul,

like a child quieted at its mother's breast;

like a child that is quieted, be so my soul.

I shall hope in You, O Breath of my breath,

from this time forth and forevermore.

(from Psalms for Praying, by Nan Merrill)

Let the Silence take you in

When the mind becomes unbearable, Silence is the cure.

There is nothing more precious than Silence.

No final conclusion, no ultimate insight, no peak experience;

nothing is more precious than Silence.

This Silence I speak of does not mean the absence of sound;

there may be sound, be it music or noise, but the Silence remains.

When the mind turns towards the heart, you will feel the call of Silence;

It is like the ocean calling its offspring to return home.

It will start to punctuate your day, like a cool breeze flowing through your mind.

Sit with this Silence, then sit a bit longer.

Let the Silence take you in.

Thus ends the oppression of the mind, and begins the reign of Silence.

Watch for its presence in your heart –

you'll feel the breeze of paradise pass through your mind.

Nothing is more precious than Silence.

This Silence is love, for in the absence of any disturbance, when peace prevails, there is only love.

Silence is the cure.

(by Nabeel)