To make possible true inner silence, practice silence of the eyes – by seeking always the beauty and goodness of God everywhere, closing them to the faults of others and to all that is sinful and disturbing to the soul; silence of the ears – by listening always to the voice of God and to the cry of the poor and the needy, closing them to all other voices that come from fallen human nature, such as gossip, tale-bearing and uncharitable words; silence of the tongue – by praising God . . . and by refraining from self-defense and every word that causes darkness, turmoil, pain, and death; silence of the mind – by opening it to the truth and knowledge of God in prayer and contemplation . . . and by closing it to all untruths, distractions, destructive thoughts, rash judgments, false suspicions of others, vengeful thoughts, and desires; silence of the heart – by loving God with our heart, soul, mind, and strength and one another as God loves, and avoiding all selfishness, hatred, envy, jealousy, and greed. I shall keep the silence of my heart with greater care, so that in the silence of my heart I hear His words of comfort . . . For in the silence and purity of the heart, God speaks.
– St.Teresa of Calcutta
