Sounds of silence

Enter into the Silence, into the Heart of Truth,

Listen for the Music of the Spheres

in the resounding Silence of the Universe

For beyond the silence and stillness within

You will come to know a profound and dazzling Silence –

Herein lies the Music of the Spheres,

The harmony of creation.

(Psalms for Praying – Nan Merrill)

A thick mist is pressing up against the lodge creating a sense of mystery. For me this becomes metaphor into the mystery of Silence: how to pull aside the veil and hear  ‘the music of of the spheres.’

Stillness and silence are rare commodities in our modern lives. It takes discipline to turn off not only outside noise but also the clamouring of all the many thoughts in our heads, to turn inwards, to listen with the ears of the heart. Through nature, dreams, making use of Rivendell’s extensive library, journaling, doing art, putting all of our 5 senses to work, we discover the Holy.

Rivendell Retreat Centre adhere to two sacred times: Centering Prayer at 8 am (20 min of silent meditation) and Sacred Hour at 5 pm. When I am on a Silent Retreat, I attend Centering Prayer each morning as I find that the discipline of being still, of listening for the quiet still voice within, opens me to awareness of the spirit within. On a facilitated silent retreat, we have the option of meeting once a day with a Spiritual Director as well as participate as a group during Sacred Hour.

Often, when one is still, the subconscious mind has an opportunity to speak to us through dreams. During my time at Rivendell recently, I had very vibrant dreams which I am still unpacking and unravelling.

Here is one of my dreams: our family is somewhere in nature. There’s a beautiful river, deep and still and in the distance, someone is paddling a canoe. The canoe has designs painted on it by the Salish People. We arrive at our destination and a park ranger opens a dusty, unused room. Inside, as if under a spotlight, is the most beautiful Bonsai Tree. Its really big with a very lush canopy of verdant green. One can tell from the trunk that its hundreds of years old. The roots are visible and the tree sits on a beautiful round wooden disk. And that was the dream.

My interpretation: the river is the 10 days of silence – it carries us all gently along.

The canoe with First Nation designs on is Rivendell Lodge, situated on the traditional territory of the Coast Salish people on the island of Nexwlélexwm,  known to us as Bowen Island. The rowers in the boat are our facilitators whose gifted leadership leads us gently towards each of our unique discoveries and healing. The dusty room is my soul, in which resides the Tree of Life.

What a precious gift to realize that within each one of us (and the room may be unused, dusty or not yet discovered) there resides the healer of our souls.

During my retreat, I found that our Creator hides in plain sight: in many beautiful walks through forests, along rushing creeks, by the side of the ocean, through misty veils, brilliant sunshine, snow flurries and quiet dark nights. In the resounding silence of the Universe, we find ourselves in the sanctuary of God’s love.

I would be very happy to talk to you about retreating at Rivendell Retreat Centre or check out the website at www.rivendellretreat.org.