Come Back to Silence
Why It's Good to Withdraw from the World Now and Then
Here on the farm, harvest is one of the busiest times of the year. Days are short, to-do lists are long, and it’s always a race against time and the weather to get the corn and soybeans in the bin.
Machines provide a constant soundtrack to all this activity. Everywhere you turn, the roar of combines, tractors, semi-trucks and grain dryers never wanes. As much as I love this exciting time of year, my thoughts turn to something I heard a speaker address this past summer.
That young man is a pastor and an avid outdoor enthusiast who cherishes his annual summer trip to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW). Located in northern Minnesota, this massive area contains more than 1,200 miles of canoe routes, 12 hiking trails and 2,000+ campsites. “This wilderness offers freedom to those who wish to pursue an experience of expansive solitude,” proclaims the U.S. Forest Service on its website.
Hmmmm, expansive solitude. What an intriguing concept.
The young man noted it’s illegal to have a motor running in the BWCAW. What a stark contrast to daily life. Nearly everywhere you go, there’s a motor running, from the car engine to the hum of the refrigerator or the whir of a fan.
“For most of human history, people weren’t overwhelmed with noise,” the young man added. “Our souls aren’t designed to be inundated with noise. We need to withdraw from the world periodically and seek more silence.”
Turn down the volume
Consider the remarkable phenomenon that transforms people when they spend time in the BWCAW. For the first few days, the newbies seem pretty agitated without all the electronic distractions that dominate modern life. After a couple days, however, a “wilderness detox” kicks in.
The young man noted that his buddies who go with him to the BWCAW start enjoying life at a slower pace. It’s not unusual to see them sitting by the campfire, just watching the flames, mindlessly poking the ashes with a stick. They are content.
“When we learn how to be quiet and listen, something deep inside us awakens,” the young man said. “Our spirit is alert and paying attention.”
The true power of silence emerges in the space it creates for reflection and understanding. Silence becomes a source of great strength.
Commit to listening
Silence can be uncomfortable, however, because we don’t practice it.
Valuing silence also requires you to answer some key questions. Who’s voice is loudest in my life? What voices do I need to turn down? How can I listen for those gentle whispers that matter most?
It’s possible to carve out silence, even in our chaotic, noisy world. The young man who savors the silence of the BWCAW urges us to accept one of these challenges this week:
1. Enjoy silence next time you’re traveling in your vehicle. That means no music, no phone calls, no talk radio and no podcasts.
2. Seek silence under the stars. Go outside, and gaze at the night sky. Marvel at the beauty and grandeur of the heavens.
3. Carve out 5 minutes for silence each day. Sit quietly in the morning before your day begins, or take 5 minutes in the evening just to breathe, calm down and experience the silence. Set a timer on your phone, so you don’t have to watch the clock.
While these might seem tough at first, pick one, and give it a try. Once you do, seeking silence will become like water or air—essential to your very existence.
Silence allows us to channel our energies, provides the clarity we need to face challenges, and calms our soul. That’s a bountiful harvest indeed.
Darcy Maulsby, known as “Iowa’s Storyteller,” is a freelance writer, author, farmer, foodie and fan of all things vintage from Lake City, Iowa. “Keepin’ It Rural” column is part of “Iowa Writers Collaborative.” Clink on the links to check them out, subscribe for free - and, if you believe in the value of quality journalism, support this column and/or any of theirs with a paid subscription .
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I've been to the BW 3 times. Life changing and magical! You can even drink straight from the lake without fear of dying.