Just Be Quiet! - The Value of Silence and Dropping Away from the Tyranny of Noise

Lest you mistake this article for a Timothy Learyesque' drop-out' message, I'd like to be clear. While retreat is a common tactic in war, it is intended to help regain posture and consolidate power resources, rather than abandoning the battlefield.

Thanks to the internet, many of us are bombarded daily with cognitive overload from useless information, if we allow such abuse. Unfortunately, constantly staring at screens has become the norm for many humans. It is estimated that approximately 70% of the world's population, or nearly 5.775 billion people as of July 2025, is online. Is this a good thing or a bad thing?



The answer is that it is both. The internet has dramatically shrunk and flattened our world of communication, which is excellent for collaborative ventures, but which also benefits malicious actions by begrudged individuals.

The Cyberbullying Research Center (2023) reports that 26.5% of students stated they had experienced cyberbullying within the 30 days preceding their survey. A majority of teen suicides are sparked by online abuse. About 15% of those surveyed by the Cyberbullying Research Center admitted they had cyberbullied others at some point in their lives.

Roughly 20% of adults claim they've experienced cyberbullying. Recently, I had a similar experience with a distant relative whom I have never met, a mysterious, long-lost cousin named Davide DeDominicis. Initially, he behaved normally via Facebook Messenger, sharing information about himself and his history. Then, without warning or reason, he posted a series of rude and bizarre messages, one of which invited me to a debate, about what I do not know. When I declined to acknowledge his adolescent behavior ('extinguishing negative behavior' in adolescent psychology), he called me a coward. Weird, but a perfect example of how one’s information processing style can influence a person's attitude.

This example is typical of how far we are from the ideal of unconditionally accepting and loving one another, as well as respecting an individual's dignity. We may consider individuals disposable and treat them that way with a simple click of a cursor. Such behavior might never occur if people spoke to each other face-to-face. This applies to the two major U.S. political parties, both of which seem populated by grossly immature adolescents, given their focus on discrediting and hating each other, rather than seeking commonalities that bind us together.

The other side of the coin is that new technological breakthroughs, especially artificial intelligence, dramatically accelerate the work of good actors and positive change agents. Consider how all of society's problems are quietly being addressed and treated by the United Nations' sustainable development committees.

Much good news happens every day and is picked up by such outlets as the Good News Network (www.goodnewsnetwork.com), Positive News (https://www.positive.news/), DailyGood.com (https://www.dailygood.org/), and the Happy Newspaper (https://thehappynewspaper.com/?v=0b3b97fa6688).

Aside from online bullying, the internet also overloads us with deceitful information from politicians and unscrupulous marketers. Given the public's naiveté, they are often unaware of how propaganda campaigns are developed over time. In 1934, a brainwashing campaign was carried out by President Eisenhower, the CIA, and the United Fruit Company to overthrow the government of Guatemala. Pause now for 18 minutes and watch this amazing propaganda disgrace:

The Insane Story of How the United Fruit Company Took Over Central America

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G6GjiOu59Ik

Value of Silence for Youth

^{If you and/or your child want better academic grades, consider the cumulative effect of practicing silent study devoid of all distractions, auditory or visual. Scents may also help anchor a memory, especially if the student has a scent preference. For myself, a brief smudging with frankincense, just after arising, puts me in that perennial, Christmasy, receptive, 'love everybody' mood.}

^{Silence allows the brain to reset to its natural default settings of calmness and focus neurologically. This affects memory consolidation. (Take heed, public speakers!), problem-solving (Take heed, parents!) and creativity (Take heed, artists!). Students, remember this simple formula: "Silence = enhanced focus and concentration."}

^{For myself, as I was growing through my adolescent ‘four years of hell,' I remember my brain feeling like a storm was constantly besieging it. I don't know how exactly to put it into words, but my mental world seemed to be constantly buzzing. With rapid hormonal changes, I dropped old childlike habits, started new social behavior patterns, and began an intense curiosity about girls, especially being driven by my curiosity about why I always felt high after a sweet conversation with a girl, and enjoying a 'good to talk with you' smile.}

^{Although I lived in a row-house concrete jungle, my way of finding peace was to climb up onto the roof to catch the sunrise in relative silence, except for the occasional bird or the drone of vehicle tires below. Silence, as a youth, somehow reinforced my self-confidence and reduced my general anxiety after a prolonged time of silence.}

^{This daily practice made me feel like I was gently easing into my day and the necessary to-do list, peaceably and task-focused. I developed better self-discipline and self-control over my adolescent impulses, rather than seeking external entertainment. I felt the joy of taming my young self. Perhaps you can relate if you start your day with mindful meditation or prayer, rather than caffeine and the latest bad news updates.}

^

^{Silence is powerful because, after clearing the accumulated noise of the mind, meditation eventually leads to reflection on one's life and the way one lives. In a world largely devoid of listeners, this may satisfy our primal need to feel heard. You can hear yourself think and how you think if you pause self-talk and surrender to a meditative moment. This is what viewing silent art and panoramic natural beauty does for us. It can stop the stream of consciousness.}

^{Youth benefit from others' patient, silent, and pure listening without immediately formulating a response, which fosters empathy and improves social connections. Lastly, silence, especially before sleep, improves sleep quality, which is a total bio-system reset. Youth who practice this habit improve their sleep patterns, which is vital for stress management, as well as physical and mental development. Hot tip: Eliminate all electronic devices in the bedroom, which should be designed primarily for sleeping.}

Value of Silence for Elders

To elders, silence is a source of deep inner reflection and inner peace. Elders, who are comfortable with silence, are often effective listeners who make good counselors. They hear what is unspoken, and they understand nuanced inflections and affect. They don't reply immediately after someone else speaks, but allow room for a pensive moment. They value silence.



Many elders self-educate by ruminating on the deeper questions of life. Silence brings wisdom, the deeper truths of life that are hidden in experience. Elders find refuge and strength in silence. Elders who enjoy silent time are self-nurturing and building resistance to stress because silence replenishes emotional dollars spent. Silence can mean loneliness or a gift of truly personal time. Silence serves as a bridge to deeper, more meaningful relationships.

This point reminds me of my visits to my friend Ethan, who was losing his battle with AIDS. Just before he passed away, I visited him, and having come from work, I was tired, so I closed my eyes for a few minutes. When I awoke about forty minutes later, I noticed Ethan had also fallen asleep, so I closed my eyes and fell back to sleep. Later, we both awoke and proceeded with our conversation. Somehow, that shared silence had a profound meaning beyond, "I'm here for you."

Silence can motivate elders to become active in creating something with their hands. Studies indicate that 60–85% of all elders engage in some form of creative activity, such as writing, photography, cooking, painting, or writing poetry, among others. Although social isolation and silence are significant societal issues, those who learn the art of silence can benefit from periods of solitude.

Schools with Meditation Offerings

Naropa University (Boulder, Colorado) is a leader in contemplative education, integrating Eastern wisdom traditions, including mindfulness and meditation, directly into its academic curriculum across various disciplines.

Brown University has a prominent "Mindfulness Center" that conducts research and offers various mindfulness programs and training for individuals and professionals.

University of Chicago                                         

Offers "Mindfulness Meditation" courses (basic and advanced) through its Student Wellness department, often held in serene spaces like Bond Chapel. They also provide pre-recorded meditations and resources.

The University of Iowa's Student Wellness Division offers "Intro to Mindfulness" workshops, which are often brief, evidence-based curricula designed for busy college students. They also host retreats and provide guided meditation resources.

The University of Colorado Boulder's Health & Wellness Services, notably the CALM Center, offers weekly meditation sessions, workshops on mindful awareness, and dedicated meditation rooms.

Silence is a Path to Communion with God

Silence isn't merely the absence of noise; it's a profound spiritual discipline and a dynamic space that serves as a powerful path to communion with God. Here's how:

Opening the Channel for Divine Communication:

1. Eliminating Clutter

Our lives are often filled with a constant barrage of sensory input that creates a barrier, making it difficult to perceive the subtle ways God communicates with us. Silence helps clear this internal and external clutter, creating a receptive space.

2. Cultivating Listening

Just as we can't truly hear someone speaking if we're constantly talking, we can't truly hear God if our minds are always busy. Silence shifts us from an active "sending" mode (our prayers, thoughts, desires) to a receptive "receiving" mode, where we can attune ourselves to God's "still, small voice" (1 Kings 19:12). This is the voice of conscience, telling us the right thing to do.

3. Beyond Words

Communion with God isn't solely about spoken words. Silence allows for a deeper, more intuitive connection – a communion of spirits where understanding transcends verbal expression. In the quietness, we might experience peace, a gentle nudge, an insight, or a presence that speaks to the heart without needing language. Is this our imagination or reality?

4. Fostering Introspection and Self-Awareness: Confronting the Inner Self

When we embrace silence, we often become acutely aware of our thoughts, emotions, fears, and anxieties that are typically drowned out by daily activities. This can be uncomfortable, but it's crucial for spiritual growth.

5. Identifying Spiritual Blocks

Silence can highlight areas in our lives where we are resistant to God, harboring unforgiveness, or clinging to vengeance or control. This awareness is the first step towards surrender and allows God to work more deeply within us. Have you found yourself unforgiving of someone or something?

6. Embodying Contemplative Prayer: Hesychasm and Eastern Traditions

Many ancient mystical traditions, such as Hesychasm in Orthodox Christianity, emphasize inner stillness (hesychia) as a direct path to experiencing God. This often involves repetitive prayer (like the Jesus Prayer) to quiet the mind and open the heart to divine presence.

7. The "Prayer of Simple Presence"

This form of prayer, often found in contemplative traditions, is simply about being present to God without words, thoughts, or feelings, resting in His love and presence. Silence is its core.

In essence, silence is not merely an empty void, but a rich, fertile ground where our soul can meet and commune with God.



Now, I’ll just be silent.

-Frank DeDominicis

NB: Matthew 6:6 NIV reads: "But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you."

REFERENCES

Deer Hunting with Jesus - Dispatches from America's Class War by Joe Bageant

https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1542-734x.2008.00674_13.x

Embracing Silence: The Hidden Health Benefits of Daily Quiet Time.

https://www.defiancept.com/post/embracing-silence-the-hidden-health-benefits-of-daily-quiet-time

The Power of Silence in Elderly People: Embracing the Quiet and Peace Within:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sCJ9L8bysT4

Cognitive overload: When processing information becomes a problem

https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/cognitive-overload

United Fruit Company                                     

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Fruit_Company

Thomas L. Friedman: On How to Survive in the Age of Acceleration:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2isrXHXz9w4