Beyond the Noise: How Practicing Silence Can Transform Your Life

By Rod Janz

“Without silence, we do not really experience our experiences. We are here, but not in the depths of here. We have many experiences, but they do not have the power to change us, awaken us, or give us the joy and peace that the world cannot give, as Jesus says (John 14:27). Without some degree of inner and even outer silence, we are never living, never tasting the moment.”

Richard Rohr

On my first 48-hour silent retreat, about 29 years ago, I remember feeling incredibly awkward and out of my depth. Just to make things even weirder, something unexpected happened. Back then I was a big talk radio fan, and every time I tried to quiet my mind, the voice of radio host Bill Good kept popping up! For the first 24 hours, no matter how hard I tried to be silent, there was Bill, chattering away. Let’s just say Bill Good wasn’t exactly the silent companion I had in mind!

Since then, I’ve learned to accept whatever comes up and gently return to silence and centering. But that first attempt at a silent retreat was certainly frustrating—just as I know the practice of silence can be for many others.

The Transformative Power of Silence: Embracing Stillness in a Busy World

In a world filled with constant noise, notifications, and demands on our attention, the idea of silence often seems foreign or even uncomfortable. I can hear the voices of people asking, “Why bother?”

Silence offers a profound invitation to reconnect with ourselves, each other, and the divine. As I mentioned above, embracing silence and stillness can be challenging, but it is also transformative, providing depth to our experiences and helping us discover wisdom we might otherwise miss.

Richard Rohr emphasizes silence as a “living presence” that underlies all reality. Silence is not just the absence of noise; it’s a vital space that brings our inner life to light, connecting us to something greater.

When we give ourselves permission to pause all throughout the day or intentionally sit quietly for a few minutes, we begin to see ourselves, our experiences, and the world around us with new eyes.

Silence as a Teacher

As Thomas Keating often said, “The unloading of our unconscious mind” tends to occur when we practice silence. He even compared it to a sewer backing up—gross, I know, but this is sometimes what silence brings to the surface. Unfortunately, it’s not all roses and butterflies.

That said, the power of silence lies in its ability to teach us in ways words cannot. In silence, we learn patience, humility, and the courage to face our inner world. Silence acts as a mirror, reflecting back the truths we often try to avoid in the busyness of life. When we’re quiet, unresolved emotions, thoughts, and even creative ideas have the space to emerge. As I said, this can be uncomfortable, but it is also deeply freeing.

Silence invites us to release our need for constant control and simply be with whatever arises. I can’t emphasize enough how important this aspect of practicing silence is. It’s incredibly helpful to simply “be with” our thoughts, feelings, and emotions. When we do this, silence becomes our guide, leading us toward a nonjudgmental way of seeing life’s challenges and blessings. It teaches us to welcome everything—joy, sorrow, uncertainty, and even boredom—without the need to label or escape it.

Finding Comfort in Silence

While silence is a beautiful teacher, many people initially find it intimidating. In a society that values productivity, silence is often mistaken for inactivity or loneliness. I’ve spoken with many people who avoid even trying silence because they feel they won’t be able to handle it.

It may help to realize that silence is neither empty nor lonely; it’s a sacred space where we come to know ourselves more deeply. When we first enter silence, we may feel uncomfortable, as the noise of our minds—our thoughts, fears, and anxieties—can seem louder than ever.

But just as with any new practice, the discomfort eases with time. I know how hard it can be, but I want to encourage you to push through this initial resistance. Rohr says, “Without some degree of inner silence, we do not have a place to rest or absorb anything.” By making silence a regular part of our lives, even for just a few minutes a day, we develop a quiet confidence that stays with us, offering peace amid life’s inevitable chaos.

Silence in Relationships: Deepening Bonds

One of the most powerful exercises I’ve ever done was during my Spiritual Direction training with SoulStream. It was the first time I experienced the impact of silence combined with focused listening. In this exercise, we paired up and took turns listening to each other for 15 minutes—no verbal responses, minimal facial reactions. I remember feeling truly heard, and others in our cohort felt the same. It was incredibly helpful, even though our partners were completely silent. Just present.

Silence plays an essential role in our relationships. Although it might seem counterintuitive, shared silence can be a powerful form of communication. Moments of quiet allow for unspoken understanding, giving us time to truly listen to one another without the urge to respond immediately. In silence, we become more present and attuned to the needs of others, which naturally strengthens our bonds.

Silence allows us to cultivate what Rohr calls “nondual consciousness,” a mindset that transcends the need to judge or categorize people and situations. This nonjudgmental awareness encourages empathy, creating space for more compassionate relationships. Instead of reacting from a place of defensiveness or assumption, silence helps us respond with patience and love, qualities that make our relationships more resilient and authentic.

The Gift of Silence

I walk almost every morning, and what goes on in my mind and heart is almost always the same. At first, I’m caught up in thinking, and inner silence seems hard to reach. But eventually (with a little help from those exercise endorphins, to be sure), I find myself growing more internally quiet, able to simply be with what is. This sense of inner silence and just being is such a gift, as it frees me from the captivity of constant thought.

Ultimately, silence is a gift that opens us to life’s mysteries, deepens our relationship with the divine, and enhances our understanding of ourselves and others. By embracing silence, we learn to approach life with a gentler, more open heart. We recognize that, despite the noise of daily life, there is a sacred stillness within each of us that we can return to again and again.

If you are ready to explore the transformative power of silence, remember that it begins with small steps. Start today, if only for a few moments, or even a few seconds during your daily activities, and allow the silence to reveal its lessons.

In the words of Richard Rohr, “Silence is the language of God; everything else is a poor translation.” Let silence speak to you, and see what wisdom it brings.

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Sources:

Silent Compassion: Finding God in Contemplation by Richard Rohr

Into the Silent Land by Martin Laird