In silence lies the ability to listen; to listen to ourselves, to others and to God.

Listening is a lost art. Without it we cannot communicate, we cannot relate to each other and so we cannot live meaningfully. We need to learn to listen.

Sitting in silence allows us to listen to ourselves and to understand. This silence can heal. The worries, the pain can be healed when we listen. Spiritual medicine is ever present in the soul. Whenever we need it, to whatever extent we need it, we can find it within.

The disease of anger need the medicine of tolerance; the pain of disappointment needs the medicine of hope; the violence of revenge and spite needs forgiveness; fear needs courage; ego needs self-respect. Through inner silence we receive strength to heal.

Truly listening means that we can perceive reality. We see our real selves in silence. If we are still and silent, if we step within, we see the blueprint of our original goodness, our true selves.

Ego, anger, fear and wrong desires have created the variety of sicknesses within our minds and within our hearts. These sicknesses are not part of our true selves and we have believed in them for too long. The mixing of our original goodness with this acquired negativity has caused a lot of confusion. To separate and dissolve this sickness of negativity we need the qualities of our original selves – especially the qualities of love and peace.

These original qualities cleanse and heal. Every day we become cleaner, every day we become truer to ourselves. It is in this mirror of silence that we can see our original self. It is in the mirror of silence that our spiritual identity becomes reality rather than distant hope. To consolidate this reality, we must create a daily space for silence. We must listen to ourselves.

Once we have learnt to listen to ourselves, then we will enjoy listening to others. Listening creates closeness, and closeness allows for friendship. What is life without friendship? What we offer from the heart creates the quality of our relationships. A genuine relationship is based on sincerity. A genuine relationship is enduring and constant. It makes life worthwhile. This is the love that sustains. This is the love that nurtures.

Listening to God is the most sublime experience possible for a human being. In silence we can feel God loving us – a love that heals and a love that frees. God is the One whose friendship gives us back to ourselves. This is the relationship that makes us authentic. His love is selfless and never possessive. His love never diminishes us. God’s love is pure.

Pure love heals the most shocking of wounds. This unique love is only found in the stillness of silence. We can only experience this love when we are not demanding or calculating a response. Selfishness blocks the heart.

By Anthony Strano from his book ‘Discovering Spirituality*

An Italian-Australian writer, teacher and traveler who was based in Athens, Greece. He was a member of the team organising the 1st Spirit of Humanity Forum in 2012. As a student and a teacher of the Brahma Kumaris he directed their meditation centers in Greece and Hungary. He practiced Raja Yoga meditation for 40 years and travelled widely across the world to conduct seminars and retreats. He was known as a very sincere practitioner of silence and spirituality.