Module 4: Silence as a Way of Knowing

Stillness makes room for discernment.

In the first three modules, we’ve learned to enter silence, inhabit it in the body, and meet the noise within. Now, we begin to receive from it. Silence is not just a pause from activity—it is a space where truth has room to surface. It is a place where knowing is not rushed, but revealed.

In Scripture, Jesus often withdrew to deserted places—not as an escape from His calling, but as a way to be formed for it. Elijah found God not in the wind, earthquake, or fire, but in the sound of sheer silence. These moments show us that stillness is not passive; it is a way of attending to the voice and presence of God until clarity takes shape.

In this module, you will practice a longer stretch of silence—fifteen to thirty minutes—not to “achieve” something, but to notice what rises when there is space for it. This is where we begin to pair silence with discernment: noticing, testing, and learning to trust what is true.

What You’ll Experience

  • Silence as revelation — making space for the Spirit to bring insight, clarity, or needed rest.

  • Jesus’ rhythm of retreat — discovering how withdrawal can deepen engagement.

  • Scripture’s witness to stillness — exploring moments where quiet became the doorway to knowing.

  • Somatic discernment — learning to track your body’s “yes” and “no” responses as part of spiritual listening.

Practice

15–30 Minutes of Silence

  • Choose a posture that supports both alertness and rest.

  • Begin by orienting—notice where you are, what you see, hear, and feel.

  • Settle into breath as an anchor.

  • Let the quiet be a place of welcome, not pressure.

Somatic Focus: Tracking “Yes” and “No”

  • Notice sensations when you consider a life choice, a Scripture, or a prayer request.

  • Where does openness, warmth, or expansion arise?

  • Where does tightening, heaviness, or resistance appear?

  • Let the body’s cues become part of how you discern.

Reflection Questions

  • What, if anything, surfaced in the quiet?

  • How did your body respond to the time?

  • Did you notice a difference between mental “knowing” and deeper, settled discernment?

Scriptures for This Module

  • Luke 5:16 (NRSV) — “But he would withdraw to deserted places and pray.”

  • Mark 1:35 (NRSV) — “In the morning, while it was still very dark, he got up and went out to a deserted place, and there he prayed.”

  • 1 Kings 19:12 (NRSV) — “…and after the fire a sound of sheer silence.”