I wonder if spiritual growth doesn't start with the grace of silence. We know that there are two ways to view everything...through our reasoning mind's eyes (ego based) and through our spiritual eyes (God based).
Silence, too, is two-tiered...there's the mouth-taped-shut silence, self-will all the way, and the silence where no conscious thought is involved, only the grace of gratitude pervading us. It is ours to choose which way we will go in the midst of personal chaos.
Interestingly, we, who are just beginning to accept silence as the answer, will almost always go for the scotch-tape route first. And that is right and proper...keeping the mouth shut however we can buys us time. Our second thought, though, must be toward God...a "thank you" will do that just fine.
I suspect silence in the midst of turmoil is so difficult because our ego is always ready to defend...first, last, always. The ego-based reasoning mind perceives we are being victimized by our own silence and, without a thought of God, its only reasonable response is attack.
The lesson we're learning is that when we feel victimized by our own silence that is simply our ego telling us that we need to respond in kind...in short, to stand up for our self. Yet, the fact is when defense is the answer, we are stuck in the problem.
We need to change our mind...or, put another way, upgrade our attitude. We do that by opening our heart and mind to let God's perfect will flow out...a new way of responding can and will open a channel toward peace for all involved.
The main drawback with this way is it takes longer than shooting a person in the back of the head. But the consequences are oh so much better...they are consequences we can live with.
Thank you.
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