Conversations with Silence: A Review

"Attempting to describe silence," writes author Sally Longley, "is like trying to grasp air . . . ." (4)  And so it is.  But despite spending a fair amount of time delineating the different forms silence can take, Longley's book is, as the author of the book's introduction Trevor Howard puts it, not so much "about" silence as an "encounter with silence."  (xi)

Longley organizes her book around a variety of her own experiences and those of others.  generally her illustrations work well and do add a measure of clarity.  I found the second chapter, "The Eloquence of Silence," especially helpful.  She deals, as the chapter title implies, with shadow experiences and how they can lead into a greater awareness of life itself if we are willing to sit with them in silence.  Such experiences require, she reminds us, a level of vulnerability many may experience as uncomfortable at first.  But in drawing us closer to the Holy Presence, they can also be a source of reassurance.  In particular she encourages the use of imagination in such experiences.  

The chapter, as is the case with each chapter, ends with a number of possible practices and exercises/experiences with which the reader might engage to further the learning.  These are well-thought out and certainly worth the effort.

Among other things, Longley takes a very creative look at the Biblical character Susanna, and fleshes out its meaning relative to silence for our day.  She also offers an interesting take on the largely untranslatable word selah, often thought to be a rubric for choristers.  "It is not easily translatable," she writes, "but there is general agreement among Hebrew scholars that it may mean pause, wait, notice or lift up."  (93)  These "slivers of silence," as she calls them, are present in every day, in every life, and we are wise to pay attention to them.

Enough of words, though.  This review, after all, is about a book focused on silence.  It is well-worth ones time.  But even more so is silence.

Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received this book free from the author and/or publisher through the Speakeasy blogging book review network.  I was not required to write a positive review.  The opinions I have expressed are my own.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255