For centuries, Trappist monks and nuns have been recognized for their quiet lifestyles, often referred to as “the monks who don’t talk.” Many assume they take a vow of silence; however, this is a misconception.
Trappists commit to three vows derived from the Rule of St. Benedict, established in the sixth century. A potential to endure with one monastic communal for life. An obligation to track the leadership of an abbot. This incorporates living an ascetic life, counting celibacy, fasting, manual labour, parting from the outside world, and silence.
In our daily life silence is an important aspect, not an explicit vow. The element of silence varies by the community and also it is self-directed. The Trappist monks engage in friendly conversation only in designated areas. Most of the time, they typically speak when necessary for work, community discussion or spiritual guidance. This balance nurtures an atmosphere favourable to constant prayer and replication. Eventually, while silence is central to their repetition, they do not officially vow to endure silence upon entering the reclusive life.
In today’s world, very few people live in monasteries, and unlike monks, our daily lives necessitate communication. While engaging in conversation is a fundamental part of our social existence, we can still connect with our spirituality by drawing inspiration from the monastic tradition of silence without the need to join a monastery or adopt a hermit’s lifestyle.
As social beings, much of our upbringing revolves around learning language and statement. This focus can lead us to supervise the significance of our ability to name and label the world around us, often imitating the voices of those closest to us. Our social interactions shape our identity, making us see ourselves primarily as individuals in a specific context rather than recognizing our inherent nature as spiritual beings. This more profound understanding of self-existed before we learned to articulate thoughts through language.
The monks believed that our words could be compelling, and they thought that the tongue that we used to speak was mighty in the world. They also felt that our tongue is the sharpest knife in the world and the most dangerous weapon in the world is our words. Even though the words don’t hurt people physically our words can hurt people emotionally. Our words can also have strengths, but they can also have weaknesses if we don’t know when, where and how much to speak. Speaking kindly and wisely at the right moments can lead to success. But talking unkindly at the wrong time can make our life very difficult.
Living in Harmony: The Lesson of Milk and Water ☸️
Dear Friends, the following story on Buddhist harmony and brotherhood is recorded in Majjhima Nikaya scripture of The Pali Canon.
One evening, Shakyamuni Buddha visited a park where three of His disciples – Anuruddha, Nandiya,… pic.twitter.com/YjqI2MZmm8
— Buddha Beings (@BuddhaBeings) September 22, 2024Silence Speaks: Find Calm, Clarity, and Connection through the Power of Quiet
The monks are usually very meditative and prefer to stay far from the world’s noise. We must stay silent to remain calm and peace of mind. While staying in solitude watching nature, we can appreciate the beauty of nature. We can observe and connect with the natural world around us. By doing deep meditation, our mind becomes free from worrying, and we can get profound inner peace.
Speaking too much wastes energy and leads to negative thinking; excessive talking and negative thinking waste our time, and our mind gets disturbed. As a result, we couldn’t perform our task effectively and started failing everything. This continuous failure makes us more unhappy and easily annoyed it continues to impact our lives negatively.
Being is essential to our existence; we learn about it through socialization. While being can exist without thinking, the reverse is not true; our sense of being inspires everyone. The journey to return to this state of being often includes does aimed at quieting the mind, such as thought. Silence is the first step to knowing yourself; without silence, self-discovery is impossible, so the first step is silence without being necessary.
The concept of The Vow of Silence indicates a promise to remain silent most of the time, generating a unique form of interaction. Many in Western cultures incorrectly subordinate quietness severely to monastic life; however, few extensive reclusive orders practice complete silence even the lowest orders, like the Carthusians, label time for conversation. In various traditions, the Vow of Silence serves as a means for deeper faith and spiritual reflection.
Historically, in Western Christianity, the Vow of Silence is observed from Compline (night prayer) until Lauds (Morning Prayer), with designated silent hours in many monasteries. In Indian religions, it’s known as “Mauna,” which signifies the silent one. Individuals often take this vow to advocate for social change or promote awareness about child poverty. Ultimately, taking a Vow of Silence allows individuals to cultivate inner peace, mental clarity, and compassion, fostering a deeper connection with themselves and others.
Find Calm Within Silence and Self-Reflection Lead to Inner Peace and Purpose
According to monks, the monastic life is to not wait until somewhere the sense of life is going to float around, and you are ready to grab it. Because what happens if this situation never comes? Or what happens if you see it but you miss it? Does it mean that your life has no sense any more? The most proper thing is to give a reason for whatever you do for yourself. Don’t wait for anybody else to tell you what your sense is supposed to be. You give purpose why you wake up.
When someone takes time to be quiet and reflect on the thoughts they often feel afterwards, when you connect with your inner self, you will feel that talking does not upset your mind. Instead, there is a constant feeling of calmness inside you. You can speak and remain connected to your inner self. You can use words without breaking your inner peace to do this.
Find Solitude, Find God: Monks’ Silence Nurtures Spiritual Growth and Sacred Connection
When people envision Benedictine monks, they often associate us with prayer, chanting, and silence. While many can grasp the concepts of prayer and chant, living a life of silence is usually hard to imagine. It’s essential to clarify a common misconception: Benedictine hermits do not take a vow of silence. While we have specific times designated for silence—like during meals, communal prayer, and the Grand Silence from about 10 p.m. until after breakfast—we also have plenty of opportunities to speak outside these periods. We are not socially withdrawn individuals; we consciously choose to incorporate more silence into our lives than the average person.
Monks practice significant periods of silence and replication, especially at night, and employ places like their cells, the library, and the church for solitude, which is essential to monastic life. While our lives may appear busy, they are cautiously balanced, demanding time for solitude to foster spiritual growth. The earliest hermits sought the desert to centre their lives around God, as it signifies a sacred space in the Bible where God met His people.
Although silence can occasionally feel isolating, monks hold it to acquire the divine being in their hearts, distinctive between loneliness and solitude with God. Silence nurtures a healthy collective dynamic in the monastery, allowing us to support and comprehend one another in our cooperative spiritual journeys.
FAQ
Do monks really take a vow of silence?
No, most monks, including Trappists, do not take a formal vow of silence. Silence is a key practice but not an explicit vow.
Why do monks practice silence?
Silence helps monks connect more deeply with God, fostering an atmosphere of constant prayer and reflection.
When do monks speak if they practice silence?
Monks speak when necessary for work, community discussions, or spiritual guidance, but they often choose quiet reflection over conversation.
How does silence benefit monks spiritually?
Silence promotes inner peace, mental clarity, and spiritual growth by allowing monks to listen more attentively to God and themselves.
What is the difference between loneliness and solitude in monastic life?
Monks view solitude as a sacred space to connect with God, while loneliness is a lack of connection. Silence enhances their sense of divine presence.
Can silence help us in everyday life?
Yes, practicing silence can lead to inner peace, reduce negative thinking, and improve focus and mental clarity, just as it does for monks.
Do all monks remain silent all the time?
No, even in strict orders, like the Carthusians, monks have designated times for conversation and do not practice complete silence.
