“So how do you begin the practice of holding silence? One way to begin is to start by either sitting or lying down; whichever is more comfortable and appropriate… Then close your eyes and take a deep breath. Inhale and exhale slowly. Then do it even more slowly. It will seem forced at first… Feel your body gently rise and fall as you inhale and exhale.”
“As you breathe, listen for the voice of the Spirit. Even listen for your own voice. What are you saying to you? What is God saying? Don’t expect to hear or sense something immediately. This isn’t something that happens after one or two breaths… Relax into silence.”
“If you’re having a hard time focusing on the silence, you might want to use a word or verse of Scripture or a prayer. Think about the various names given to Jesus — Emmanuel, the Word, the Light, Prince of Peace, Morning Star, and the Good Shepherd. For many of us, the first steps we take into the world of silence are through the words of prayer. I used the Lord’s Prayer…”