The movement from loneliness to solitude is not a movement of growing withdrawal but is instead a movement toward a deeper engagement in the burning issues of our time. The movement from loneliness to solitude can make it possible to convert slowly our fearful reactions into a loving response.
– Henri Nouwen
In this special edition of our newsletter, we want to bring to your attention an urgent call from Michael Wear, Founder, President, and CEO of The Center for Christianity and Public Life:
“A National Call to the Christian Practices of Silence and Solitude”
In light of our current technological revolution
in the midst of great social distrust
in the shadows of profound political discord
we call on Christians
to take up the historic, Spirit-led practices of silence and solitude
as essential, formative disciplines for our time
so that we might grow in our capacity
to truly hear and pay attention to God and
to our neighbors and
resist the destructive and malformative habits of thought and behavior of our day
The Martin Institute is partnering with CCPL in committing to the ancient Spirit-led practices of silence and solitude. We invite you to join us and the many other persons and organizations who’ve answered the “Call” here.
For a talk by Dallas Willard on solitude and silence see: “Solitude and Silence”
For a reflection and practice on the relationship between solitude and social justice see: “From Loneliness to Solitude”