Chapter 6: Cherishing silence in the monastery

I am guarded about the way I speak and have accepted silence in humility refraining even from words that are good. (From para. 1 of Ch. 6 of Saint Benedict's Rule, trans. by Patrick Barry, OSB, 1997.)

I read St. Benedict's words as going far beyond the adage, "Think before you speak". His advice to me is to discern when not to speak at all, when to let go of words that are automatic or controlling,  even if well-intentioned. Reverent silence (read: selfless attention) is the medium of presence to reality.