James Henley

5 reasons to practice silent contemplation and how to get started

Practicing silent contemplation is something a lot of Christ-followers would associate with old, worn-out, traditional Christianity. I’ve found it to be a hugely significant part of my spiritual life - here’s why I think you should give it a go and how you can get started.

A couple of years ago, I went on retreat to a Catholic monastery, where I found spending time in silence was hugely significant in opening myself up to God and allowing me to relax. Soon after that, I also heard Mike Yaconelli speak about silence and contemplation, which completely opened my eyes up to the idea of finding God in the silence.

In the crazy, non-stop, high-pressure culture we live in, I think that silence is a really significant spiritual practice to help us slow down, stop and listen to wait God might be saying. Even as I write this post, I have the TV on in the background showing nothing particularly interesting and three different applications on in the background firing updates at me from my email, Twitter, Facebook and RSS reader.

Here’s 5 reasons why you should consider switching off your electronic devices for five minutes and give silent contemplation a go:

Practicing silence will help you to realise that it all rests on God’s shoulders not yours.
It’ll help you to become more used to hearing God’s voice - especially if you struggle with this.
It’ll enable you to clear your mind and focus on doing the task you intend to do with God.
It’ll help you to become increasingly aware of God’s presence in the ordinary.
It’ll enable you to become comfortable with the awkward quietness we usually try to fill with busyness.

How to try it out:

Find somewhere quiet and get comfortable.
Set a timer on your phone or watch for 5 or 10 minutes (or longer once you’ve become used to it).
Invite God to draw close to you by his spirit.
Try to clear your mind and let go of distractions. You might want to focus on your breathing, perhaps imagine yourself breathing in God’s spirit and breathing out your distractions and anxiety.
If you are struggling to focus, try using a centring prayer - a simple phrase which you can repeat in your head or under your breath in order to help you focus on God’s presence. For instance, the ‘Jesus prayer’ or ‘Tax Collector’s Prayer’: “Jesus Christ, son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’

Question: Have you tried practicing silent contemplation and was it helpful for you?