Silence, please, can heal, help

"Daily practice of silent meditation enhances relationships, rejuvenates energy, creates flexibility for forgiveness and deepens your union with God," said Sister Rita Jean DuBrey, CSJ, director of the Center for Complementary Therapies at St. Mary's Hospital in Amsterdam. She will present a workshop titled "Door to Silence" for the Consultation Center in Albany.

"The world is going very fast," Sister Rita Jean said. "It's easy to forget that we have silence inside of us. This silence is our center of peace. When life is hectic, we can always come back to that center."

While people blame the lack of silence in their lives on the world, many of them aren't comfortable with silence and fill their lives with noise so that they don't have to experience it.

"People fear silence," she said. "When we're silent, we have to face the question of 'Who am I?' If we stay busy, we don't have to face this. It's easy to run from silence."

Incorporating silence into one's daily routine has physical, emotional and spiritual benefits, Sister Rita Jean said, adding that "silence can help us to look at who and what is important."

Like exercise, silence is something that people must start incorporating into their lives slowly. For some, she said, the idea of spending 15 minutes a day in silence can be overwhelming. She suggests begin with smaller blocks of time, like three five-minute silence breaks.

("Door to Silence" will be held Feb. 29, 7 p.m., at the Pastoral Center in Albany. Workshop participants will learn breathing techniques, imagery, and centering prayer. They will also leave with practical advice and tools for relaxation. There is no fee, but registration is required. To register, call 489-4431.)

(02-17-00) [[In-content Ad]]