LADDER OF DIVINE ASCENT STEP 11
STEP 11 “KEEPING OUR MOUTHS SHUT” part 2
On talkativeness and silence
1 In the preceding chapter we spoke briefly of how extremely dangerous it is to judge others and of how this vice steals into even the most apparently spiritual people; and how it is better to subject oneself to condemnation and punishment by the tongue. Now we must show the cause of this vice, and give a proper account of the door by which it enters, or rather, goes out.
What is the cause of slander? It is quite simply that we exercise very little (if any) control over our tongues. In short, we talk too much. Saint Faustina sees talkativeness as the biggest hindrance to interior silence and listening to God.
2 Talkativeness is the throne of vainglory on which it loves to show itself and make a display. Talkativeness is a sign of ignorance, a door to slander, a guide to jesting, a servant of falsehood, the ruin of compunction, a creator of despondency, a precursor of sleep, the dissipation of recollection, the abolition of watchfulness, the cooling of ardour, the darkening of prayer.
On the other hand, silence brings with it great spiritual benefit.
Ecclesiates 3:7 There is a time to keep silence, and a time to speak.
3 Deliberate (Intelligent) silence is the mother of prayer, a recall from captivity, preservation of fire, a supervisor of thoughts, a watch against enemies, a prison of mourning, a friend of tears, effective remembrance of death, a depicter of punishment, a meddler with judgment, an aid to anguish, an enemy of freedom of speech, a companion of quiet, an opponent of desire to teach, increase of knowledge, a creator of contemplation, unseen progress, secret ascent.
Our talkativeness, John argues, imperils our souls, and through it we reveal our vainglorious nature. Rather than expressing our holiness or wisdom, talkativeness in reality reveals a host of different vices. It is "a sign of ignorance, a doorway to slander, a leader of jesting, a servant of lies, a ruin of compunction, a summoner of despondency, a messenger of sleep, a dissipation of recollection, the end of vigilance, a cooling of zeal, the darkening of prayer." We can see from this list that vocalizing all of our thoughts can lead us to great sin and reveal our ignorance of what is truly valuable.
So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak… (James 1:19)
****Extra Note***
“Nothing is better for rendering the heart penitent and the soul humble that wise solitude and complete silence. Nothing has a greater power of disturbing the state of silence, and of depriving it of God’s help. Than the following principal passions: presumptuousness, gluttony, talkativeness and vain cares, arrogance and the mistress of all passions….. self-regard. Whoever readily permits himself to acquire the habit of these passions will become, in the course of time, more and more shrouded in darkness, until finally he is completely deadened….. The soul is often filled with diabolical confusion and turmoil and becomes another Babel, so that “the last state of that man is worse than the first” (Matthew 7:45).Then the man turns into a violent enemy and defamer of those who practice silence, always sharpening his tongue against them, like a razor or a double-edged sword.” (St. Gregory of Sinai.. “Texts on Commandments and Dogmas” Philokalia On Prayer of the Heart)
As spiritual sojourners we are called to the discipline of what John calls intelligent silence. Such silence creates the opposing virtues to the vices arising from talkativeness.
To ascend to God we must be silent!! For many it is hard to implement these words of wisdom. As a society we are very uncomfortable with silence. We fear silence, and we surround ourselves with noise. We are afraid of what silence brings. Silence makes us pay attention to ourselves. It reveals to us the thoughts and intents of our hearts. We are externally directed people, taking our cues from the outside. To face what is truly inside, to stop listening to others, to escape the distraction of external noise, to stop talking and to be silent is a fearful proposition.
We must come to grips with who we are. And we must be quiet if we are going to hear God’s directions.
If only you would be altogether silent! For you, that would be wisdom (Job 13:5 NIV)
5 The friend of silence draws near to God, and by secretly conversing with Him, is enlightened by God.
We should be lovers of silence, John tells us, for in it we draw close to God and remember his great mercy to us.
6 The silence of Jesus put Pilate to shame, and by a man’s stillness vainglory is vanquished.
No man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. (James 3:8)
We often talk too much because we are undisciplined, lazy people. The tongue is a member of the body, like the rest, and therefore needs to be trained in its habits.
Talkativeness is to the mouth what gluttony is to the belly. We are lazy people who give in to our passions. We are undisciplined and do not exercise control over our bodily members. How often do we think before we speak?
Briefly, possible causes of talkativeness. First, through leading a relaxed lifestyle we give free reign to our tongue. Like any other member of our body, John states, our tongue requires discipline and often of the most severe sort.
7 Peter, having said a word, lamented it bitterly, because he forgot him who said: ‘I said, I will take heed to my ways that I sin not with my tongue,” (Psalm 38:1) and the other who said: ‘A fall from a height to the ground is better than a slip with the tongue.’ The tongue does the greatest evil to men. (Elder Ephraim of Philotheou Mount Athos, "Counsels from the Holy Mountain")
Second thought, talkativeness comes from vainglory. As often happens to those involved in spiritual or intellectual athleticism, there is a tendency to become puffed up through individual achievements or gifts.
We often talk too much because we are proud. We usually talk because, for us, what we have to say is important. We share our opinions because we think they are right. Sometimes we are quick to share our opinions about everything and everyone, before even thinking a situation over. Thus, again, So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak… (James 1:19)
Silence is a sword in the spiritual struggle. A talkative soul will never attain sanctity. The sword of silence will cut off everything that would like to cling to the soul. We are sensitive to words and quickly want to answer back, without taking any regard as to whether it is God's will that we should speak. A silent soul is strong; no adversities will harm it if it perseveres in silence. The silent soul is capable of attaining close union with God. It lives almost always under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. God works in a silent soul without hindrance… St. Faustina
8 I do not wish to write much about this, even though the wiles of the passions urge me to do so. But I once heard from someone who asked me about silence that talkativeness is in variably born of one of the following causes: either from a bad, lax environment and habit (for the tongue, said he, being a member of the body, like the rest of the members, requires the training of habit), or again, in the case of ascetics, garrulity (talking much about unimportant things) comes especially from vainglory, and sometimes also from gluttony. That is why many who bridle the stomach by force afterwards easily check the tongue and its chatter.
Another thought, gluttony, if not restrained, will give way to chattering. The reason in this, is because of “passion.” Through our “passions” we speak more than disciplining the passion. Through keeping a strict rule over our stomachs it would seem that our tongue loses its strength. Sometimes this “gluttony” is a hunger for recognition, a hunger to be considered wise in thoughts, when we are too quick with our opinions. The Holy Spirit does not speak to a soul that is distracted and garrulous. He speaks by His quiet inspirations to a soul that is recollected, to a soul that knows how to keep silence.
9 He who is anxious about his departure, cuts down words; and he who has obtained spiritual mourning, shuns talkativeness like fire.
10 He who has come to love silence shuts his mouth, but he who delights in wandering about outside is driven out of his cell by his passion.
11 He who knows the fragrance of the Fire from on high, runs from a concourse of men like a bee from smoke; for the bee is routed by smoke, whereas man is hampered by company.
12 Few can hold water without a sluice; still fewer can tame an intemperate mouth.
This word “intemperate” means having or showing a lack of self-control; immoderate. Some call it “running off at the mouth.” Also it is known as “Drip dirty mouth.” Pointless or harmful speaking..
As Thumper’s mother in the movie Bambi reasoned: “If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all.”
The eleventh step. He who has mastered it has cut off at one blow a multitude of evils.
On talkativeness and silence
1 In the preceding chapter we spoke briefly of how extremely dangerous it is to judge others and of how this vice steals into even the most apparently spiritual people; and how it is better to subject oneself to condemnation and punishment by the tongue. Now we must show the cause of this vice, and give a proper account of the door by which it enters, or rather, goes out.
What is the cause of slander? It is quite simply that we exercise very little (if any) control over our tongues. In short, we talk too much. Saint Faustina sees talkativeness as the biggest hindrance to interior silence and listening to God.
2 Talkativeness is the throne of vainglory on which it loves to show itself and make a display. Talkativeness is a sign of ignorance, a door to slander, a guide to jesting, a servant of falsehood, the ruin of compunction, a creator of despondency, a precursor of sleep, the dissipation of recollection, the abolition of watchfulness, the cooling of ardour, the darkening of prayer.
On the other hand, silence brings with it great spiritual benefit.
Ecclesiates 3:7 There is a time to keep silence, and a time to speak.
3 Deliberate (Intelligent) silence is the mother of prayer, a recall from captivity, preservation of fire, a supervisor of thoughts, a watch against enemies, a prison of mourning, a friend of tears, effective remembrance of death, a depicter of punishment, a meddler with judgment, an aid to anguish, an enemy of freedom of speech, a companion of quiet, an opponent of desire to teach, increase of knowledge, a creator of contemplation, unseen progress, secret ascent.
Our talkativeness, John argues, imperils our souls, and through it we reveal our vainglorious nature. Rather than expressing our holiness or wisdom, talkativeness in reality reveals a host of different vices. It is "a sign of ignorance, a doorway to slander, a leader of jesting, a servant of lies, a ruin of compunction, a summoner of despondency, a messenger of sleep, a dissipation of recollection, the end of vigilance, a cooling of zeal, the darkening of prayer." We can see from this list that vocalizing all of our thoughts can lead us to great sin and reveal our ignorance of what is truly valuable.
So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak… (James 1:19)
****Extra Note***
“Nothing is better for rendering the heart penitent and the soul humble that wise solitude and complete silence. Nothing has a greater power of disturbing the state of silence, and of depriving it of God’s help. Than the following principal passions: presumptuousness, gluttony, talkativeness and vain cares, arrogance and the mistress of all passions….. self-regard. Whoever readily permits himself to acquire the habit of these passions will become, in the course of time, more and more shrouded in darkness, until finally he is completely deadened….. The soul is often filled with diabolical confusion and turmoil and becomes another Babel, so that “the last state of that man is worse than the first” (Matthew 7:45).Then the man turns into a violent enemy and defamer of those who practice silence, always sharpening his tongue against them, like a razor or a double-edged sword.” (St. Gregory of Sinai.. “Texts on Commandments and Dogmas” Philokalia On Prayer of the Heart)
As spiritual sojourners we are called to the discipline of what John calls intelligent silence. Such silence creates the opposing virtues to the vices arising from talkativeness.
To ascend to God we must be silent!! For many it is hard to implement these words of wisdom. As a society we are very uncomfortable with silence. We fear silence, and we surround ourselves with noise. We are afraid of what silence brings. Silence makes us pay attention to ourselves. It reveals to us the thoughts and intents of our hearts. We are externally directed people, taking our cues from the outside. To face what is truly inside, to stop listening to others, to escape the distraction of external noise, to stop talking and to be silent is a fearful proposition.
We must come to grips with who we are. And we must be quiet if we are going to hear God’s directions.
If only you would be altogether silent! For you, that would be wisdom (Job 13:5 NIV)
5 The friend of silence draws near to God, and by secretly conversing with Him, is enlightened by God.
We should be lovers of silence, John tells us, for in it we draw close to God and remember his great mercy to us.
6 The silence of Jesus put Pilate to shame, and by a man’s stillness vainglory is vanquished.
No man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. (James 3:8)
We often talk too much because we are undisciplined, lazy people. The tongue is a member of the body, like the rest, and therefore needs to be trained in its habits.
Talkativeness is to the mouth what gluttony is to the belly. We are lazy people who give in to our passions. We are undisciplined and do not exercise control over our bodily members. How often do we think before we speak?
Briefly, possible causes of talkativeness. First, through leading a relaxed lifestyle we give free reign to our tongue. Like any other member of our body, John states, our tongue requires discipline and often of the most severe sort.
7 Peter, having said a word, lamented it bitterly, because he forgot him who said: ‘I said, I will take heed to my ways that I sin not with my tongue,” (Psalm 38:1) and the other who said: ‘A fall from a height to the ground is better than a slip with the tongue.’ The tongue does the greatest evil to men. (Elder Ephraim of Philotheou Mount Athos, "Counsels from the Holy Mountain")
Second thought, talkativeness comes from vainglory. As often happens to those involved in spiritual or intellectual athleticism, there is a tendency to become puffed up through individual achievements or gifts.
We often talk too much because we are proud. We usually talk because, for us, what we have to say is important. We share our opinions because we think they are right. Sometimes we are quick to share our opinions about everything and everyone, before even thinking a situation over. Thus, again, So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak… (James 1:19)
Silence is a sword in the spiritual struggle. A talkative soul will never attain sanctity. The sword of silence will cut off everything that would like to cling to the soul. We are sensitive to words and quickly want to answer back, without taking any regard as to whether it is God's will that we should speak. A silent soul is strong; no adversities will harm it if it perseveres in silence. The silent soul is capable of attaining close union with God. It lives almost always under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. God works in a silent soul without hindrance… St. Faustina
8 I do not wish to write much about this, even though the wiles of the passions urge me to do so. But I once heard from someone who asked me about silence that talkativeness is in variably born of one of the following causes: either from a bad, lax environment and habit (for the tongue, said he, being a member of the body, like the rest of the members, requires the training of habit), or again, in the case of ascetics, garrulity (talking much about unimportant things) comes especially from vainglory, and sometimes also from gluttony. That is why many who bridle the stomach by force afterwards easily check the tongue and its chatter.
Another thought, gluttony, if not restrained, will give way to chattering. The reason in this, is because of “passion.” Through our “passions” we speak more than disciplining the passion. Through keeping a strict rule over our stomachs it would seem that our tongue loses its strength. Sometimes this “gluttony” is a hunger for recognition, a hunger to be considered wise in thoughts, when we are too quick with our opinions. The Holy Spirit does not speak to a soul that is distracted and garrulous. He speaks by His quiet inspirations to a soul that is recollected, to a soul that knows how to keep silence.
9 He who is anxious about his departure, cuts down words; and he who has obtained spiritual mourning, shuns talkativeness like fire.
10 He who has come to love silence shuts his mouth, but he who delights in wandering about outside is driven out of his cell by his passion.
11 He who knows the fragrance of the Fire from on high, runs from a concourse of men like a bee from smoke; for the bee is routed by smoke, whereas man is hampered by company.
12 Few can hold water without a sluice; still fewer can tame an intemperate mouth.
This word “intemperate” means having or showing a lack of self-control; immoderate. Some call it “running off at the mouth.” Also it is known as “Drip dirty mouth.” Pointless or harmful speaking..
As Thumper’s mother in the movie Bambi reasoned: “If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all.”
The eleventh step. He who has mastered it has cut off at one blow a multitude of evils.
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