What is silence, what is it, my trusted friend? What is silence but unspoken words? I am bereft of words, but the sparrows’ language is the language of life, of flowing sentences, of nature’s celebrations—Forough Farrokhzad, Iranian poet
In the myth of Theuth and Thamus they exchange a dialogue about the merits of listening and reading. Theuth argues that his invention of letters (writing) will make people (the Egyptians) wiser and improve their memories. Thamus counter argues that reading will cause the opposite because it will discourage the use of their memories. Theuth, he says, has not created an “elixir” of memory but of reminding.
In The Art of Listening in the Early Church, Carol Harrison makes a case for the importance of listening while not pitting it over writing/reading. “Speech,” she notes, “is an act which is always two-sided; it demands relation between speaker and hearer that what is said becomes meaningful, and meaning is transformed and communicated.”
When listening we are engaged differently than when reading. As Thomas Merton tells us there can be something different we gain in listening than when we read: If you go into solitude with a silent tongue, the silence of mute beings will share with you their rest. But if you go into solitude with a silent heart, the silence of creation will speak louder than the tongues of men or angels.
Showcasing SHA talent: Martin in 5th likes writing and wants you to read and find the hidden word.
God bless,
Mrs. Alhadef
Campus Minister
5th Grade Aide