The Stillness of Being: Silence as a Pathway to Closeness with God

By: Fanus du Plooy / Stillness of Being

In the fast-moving world we inhabit, filled with noise, distractions, and endless pursuits, the invitation to stillness is often drowned out by the demands of life. Yet, in the depths of stillness and silence, we encounter something profoundly transformative—the presence of the Divine. The spiritual journey is not about seeking God in external grandiosity but about quieting the mind and heart to perceive the whisper of the Infinite.

The Whisper of the Divine

In 1 Kings 19:12, we read: "And after the earthquake a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice." The original Hebrew text conveys this profound moment as:

וְאַחַר הָרַעַשׁ אֵשׁ לֹא־בָאֵשׁ יְהוָה וְאַחַר הָאֵשׁ קוֹל דְּמָמָה דַקָּה
Transliteration: Ve'achar hara'ash esh; lo va'esh Adonai, ve'achar ha'esh kol demamah dakah.

This verse beautifully illustrates a metaphysical truth: God is not found in the dramatic, in the turmoil of external events, but rather in the gentle whisper of stillness.

Elijah, the prophet, was seeking God in the turbulence—the wind, the earthquake, and the fire—but God was not in these manifestations. Instead, God revealed Himself in the "still small voice," a phrase that speaks to the quiet, subtle presence that can only be perceived when all else fades into silence. This is the mystical invitation of stillness—to step beyond the distractions of the material world and into the profound quiet where the Divine speaks.

Stillness as a Gateway to Oneness

The act of stillness is more than a pause in activity; it is an alignment with the very essence of existence. In the great mystical traditions, stillness is understood as the doorway to unity with the Divine.

• In Vedanta, the self (Atman) is said to be one with Brahman, the infinite reality. To realize this, one must go beyond the chatter of the mind and sit in deep meditation, where the illusion of separation dissolves.
• In Christian Mysticism, Meister Eckhart spoke of the "divine birth" happening in the soul when one becomes silent and receptive, allowing God to emerge within.
• In Buddhism, silence is not emptiness in the negative sense but a space of clarity, where truth is revealed without interference.

Stillness is not passive but rather a deep engagement with the presence of God. It is in this silence that we hear the whispers of divine truth, guiding us beyond ego, fear, and illusion, into the fullness of being.

Silence as a Spiritual Practice

How, then, do we cultivate this practice of stillness?

1. Meditation & Contemplation – Set aside time daily to sit in silence, simply observing the breath or repeating a sacred word. Let go of the need for intellectual understanding and rest in the presence of God.
2. Mindful Awareness – Throughout the day, cultivate an awareness of stillness within. Even in movement, there is a silent center that remains untouched by external activity.
3. Listening Deeply – Practice listening to the subtle guidance of the "still small voice." This voice often speaks not in words, but in intuition, gentle nudges, and an inner sense of peace.
4. Retreat into Nature – The natural world is filled with silent wisdom. Sitting by a tree, watching the ocean, or walking in a quiet forest brings us into alignment with the rhythm of creation.

The Gift of Divine Intimacy

When we embrace stillness, we recognize that the Divine is not distant but intimately present within us. The noise of the world often deceives us into thinking that God is absent, but the silence reveals that God has been here all along.

The paradox of stillness is that in the absence of sound, the greatest truth is spoken. In the quiet, we experience unity, where God is not an external force to be sought but the very ground of our being. It is in this space that we move beyond knowing about God and begin to experience God as the very essence of life itself.

Final Reflection

Let us not be afraid of silence. Let us not resist the invitation to stillness. Instead, let us enter it with reverence, with the awareness that in the quiet depths of our being, we will encounter the eternal presence of God. As we cultivate this practice, we will come to know that the Divine is not found in the storm, nor the fire, nor the earthquake—but in the gentle whisper that speaks when we become still enough to listen.