“Presence in silence betokens disponibility. . . . Selfishness centers on the scattered-out self (in the Augustinian sense).”

A “recollected” spirit always feels, thinks, wills, acts in the presence of itself and of God, always moving from its interiority while remaining there in its entire exterior life.¹

There is little attention given to the significance of silence today. Whether we should see this fact more as stemming from or as contributing to a lack of the experience of silence is difficult to judge. In either case, the disregard of silence is a problem that affects persons in themselves and in their relationships with others in a profound way. The claim that this is a problem clearly requires some justification today since silence is now the outsider. Silences are usually seen at present in a poor light: they represent discomfiture, deep-seated anger, defeated concession, being at a loss.² Where silences are valued, they are often such in a merely negative way, as the absence of and rest from burdensome activity or impinging noise.

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