By Eron Vito Mazza
In a world that is hyper-connected, noisy, and bearing down on us at all times, I wonder if we even remember what silence sounds like. Solitude is sometimes seen as a luxury or as a punishment. Being separated from the class as a child, prisoners being separated from society behind bars of iron and steel. However, throughout time, mystics, shamans, witches, and monks spent their lives chasing the beauty that can be found beyond this world of oppressive light and sound. They sought it not to escape, but to connect to deeper parts of themselves.
This week, I hope this article will help you see the importance of reclaiming the spiritual practices of silence and solitude. Why is being alone with our thoughts a bad thing?
The Power of Silence
Eron Vito Mazza
We live in a world filled with bells, buzzers, horns, phone notifications, etc. In this cacophony of noises, we are missing our inner voice, our discernment, or even the voice of the divine. The answers to the questions we are all asking every day could be as close as just five minutes to yourself. Many people from various spiritual and religious practices have sought out to seek to live a life of silence. For instance, Buddhist and Catholic monks taking vows of silence. They do this to foster a deeper connection to their deities of choice and to help with focus and mindfulness. Like a musician tuning an instrument, our souls need stillness to find our note.
The Value of Solitude
Most people shy away from solitude, as they see it as loneliness. There is a difference. A good metaphor would be loneliness is like drifting alone in a lifeboat, lost at sea—surrounded by endless water but dying of thirst. Solitude is like sitting by a quiet lake at dawn—no one around, but your soul drinks deeply of the stillness. Loneliness is unwanted, sometimes forced on us. Solitude, on the other hand, is voluntary. It can be empowering, and healing, and it can also bring creativity and clarity.
Many well-known spiritual teachers had a practice of solitude, such as Jesus in the wilderness, the Buddha sitting under the Bodhi tree, or even us witches, we seek solitude to be able to turn inward and work on ourselves and travel the realms.
I’m sure you’re asking, “But Eron, how do I find solitude in this overcrowded and over-connected world?” Good, I’m glad you asked that question. One way is taking a solo walk in nature, or simply being alone with your favorite book for a span of time. Another thing one can do is have a tech-free day. No phones, tablets, or computers. Just you.
Why Are We So Scared?
The way we resist silence and solitude, you’d think we feared it. But what is there to be frightened of? I think this fear is based on the “always be productive” culture we are bombarded and force-fed from birth. But I also believe it is rooted in a fear of being alone with ourselves and the discomfort that can pop up at first. Maybe we avoid these three sacred tools because they are too powerful.
Reclaiming These Tools
If you want to reintroduce the practices of solitude and silence, it can simply be just spending 5 minutes alone. No tech or any other invasive voices, just you. You can even add your favorite incense and light a candle to help you get into the headspace for it. Just keep making your time longer as you get comfortable. One thing you will come to realize is that the divine is always speaking, we just have to turn down the volume, be still, and listen.
