Why Believers Can Not Be Quiet

[TransmutingSoul]

I have been reading posts and I have even said it may be best to be silent when it comes to matters of faith.

Silence has its place, but in the end the silence will always need to be broken, as little progress can be found in silence.

I thought about God's Messengers and wondered about what God asked them to do and the result of them lifting up their voices to give that Message, we all know what happened to Jesus, a lot know what happened to Muhammad, fewer know what happened to the Bab and Baha'u'llah. There are records we can read as to what sufferings man brought upon the Prophets and Messengers in the age they gave their Messages and in many ways those unjust actions continue.

In the 1800's Baha'u'llah offered this to all humanity,

"I was but a man like others, asleep upon My couch, when lo, the breezes of the All-Glorious were wafted over Me, and taught Me the knowledge of all that hath been. This thing is not from Me, but from One Who is Almighty and All-Knowing. And He bade Me lift up My voice between earth and heaven, and for this there befell Me what hath caused the tears of every man of understanding to flow."
(Summons of the Lord of Hosts)

In turn the Prophets or Messengers ask us, if we accept them, to lift up our voices to others.

Thus the questions raised by this OP.

When do we lift our voices?

When is silence of any use?

The 3rd and most important question is,

What are the passages from your holy writings that give guidance to raised voices and in choosing silence?

Regards Tony

 

[TransmutingSoul]

I will start with some from the Bible.

Psalm 59:17 "I will lift my voice to sing Your praise, O my Strength for You came to my defense. O God, You have shown me Your loving mercy."

That one seems to ba a personal exchange between God and the Believer.

Proverbs 31:8-9 "Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all who are destitute. Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy.

That one appears to say we speak out for justice.

These next ones, I see tell us that silence has merit.

Proverbs 13:3 ESV
Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life; he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.

Psalm 141:3
Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips!

Then this may be a wise person, that can achieve this;

James 1:19
Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger;

There are so many passages about speaking out and silence in the Bible.

Regards Tony

 

[Vinayaka]

"Silence is ever-speaking, it is the perennial flow of "language." It is interrupted by speaking, for words destroy this mute language. Silence is unceasing eloquence. It is the best language. There is a state when words cease and silence prevails." - Ramana Maharshi

 

[Left Coast]

The Buddha is reported to have said this about what is called "right speech":

"Monks, a statement endowed with five factors is well-spoken, not ill-spoken. It is blameless & unfaulted by knowledgeable people. Which five?

It is spoken at the right time. It is spoken in truth. It is spoken affectionately. It is spoken beneficially. It is spoken with a mind of good-will.

A statement endowed with these five factors is well-spoken, not ill-spoken. It is blameless & unfaulted by knowledgeable people.”

SuttaCentral

I find this a helpful guide.

 

[MNoBody]

yet a timely word is like apples of gold in settings of silver.

 

[TransmutingSoul]

"Silence is ever-speaking, it is the perennial flow of "language." It is interrupted by speaking, for words destroy this mute language. Silence is unceasing eloquence. It is the best language. There is a state when words cease and silence prevails." - Ramana Maharshi

It is interesting that in silence we discover many things.

I then ask how can I know who is talking that I am able hear these things?

Regards Tony

 

[TransmutingSoul]

The Buddha is reported to have said this about what is called "right speech":

"Monks, a statement endowed with five factors is well-spoken, not ill-spoken. It is blameless & unfaulted by knowledgeable people. Which five?

It is spoken at the right time. It is spoken in truth. It is spoken affectionately. It is spoken beneficially. It is spoken with a mind of good-will.

A statement endowed with these five factors is well-spoken, not ill-spoken. It is blameless & unfaulted by knowledgeable people.”

SuttaCentral

I find this a helpful guide.

I see this reflected in many teachings, I see it is a hard balance to find.

I see much the same advice in this Hidden Word.

O SON OF DUST!
The wise are they that speak not unless they obtain a hearing, even as the cup-bearer, who proffereth not his cup till he findeth a seeker, and the lover who crieth not out from the depths of his heart until he gazeth upon the beauty of his beloved. Wherefore sow the seeds of wisdom and knowledge in the pure soil of the heart, and keep them hidden, till the hyacinths of divine wisdom spring from the heart and not from mire and clay.

Regards Tony

 

[TransmutingSoul]

yet a timely word is like apples of gold in settings of silver.

It sure can be.

Regards Tony

 

[Audie]

I have been reading posts and I have even said it may be best to be silent when it comes to matters of faith.

Silence has its place, but in the end the silence will always need to be broken, as little progress can be found in silence.

I thought about God's Messengers and wondered about what God asked them to do and the result of them lifting up their voices to give that Message, we all know what happened to Jesus, a lot know what happened to Muhammad, fewer know what happened to the Bab and Baha'u'llah. There are records we can read as to what sufferings man brought upon the Prophets and Messengers in the age they gave their Messages and in many ways those unjust actions continue.

In the 1800's Baha'u'llah offered this to all humanity,

"I was but a man like others, asleep upon My couch, when lo, the breezes of the All-Glorious were wafted over Me, and taught Me the knowledge of all that hath been. This thing is not from Me, but from One Who is Almighty and All-Knowing. And He bade Me lift up My voice between earth and heaven, and for this there befell Me what hath caused the tears of every man of understanding to flow."
(Summons of the Lord of Hosts)

In turn the Prophets or Messengers ask us, if we accept them, to lift up our voices to others.

Thus the questions raised by this OP.

When do we lift our voices?

When is silence of any use?

The 3rd and most important question is,

What are the passages from your holy writings that give guidance to raised voices and in choosing silence?

Regards Tony

A lot of people want to play prophet.
Nobody will know unless they broadcast.

 

[loverofhumanity]

There are two quotes that come to mind here from my Faith.

“A silent tongue is safest”

“Excess of speech is a deadly poison” (both by Baha’u’llah)

 

[George-ananda]

If believers were quiet there is a lot I wouldn't know about other perspectives.

 

[Twilight Hue]

If you quiet down, a person just might hear what's actually going on.

 

[TransmutingSoul]

A lot of people want to play prophet.
Nobody will know unless they broadcast.

There are indeed those that play, then there are those that are.

Do you see the difference? I see it it is not as difficult as some may see it is.

Regards Tony

 

[Trailblazer]

When do we lift our voices?

When is silence of any use?

“Consort with all men, O people of Bahá, in a spirit of friendliness and fellowship. If ye be aware of a certain truth, if ye possess a jewel, of which others are deprived, share it with them in a language of utmost kindliness and good-will. If it be accepted, if it fulfil its purpose, your object is attained. If anyone should refuse it, leave him unto himself, and beseech God to guide him. Beware lest ye deal unkindly with him. A kindly tongue is the lodestone of the hearts of men. It is the bread of the spirit, it clotheth the words with meaning, it is the fountain of the light of wisdom and understanding….” Gleanings From the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 289

 

[stvdv]

as little progress can be found in silence

IMHO:
Only in "Fake Silence" little progress can be found
ONLY In "Real Silence" the perfection is achieved

 

[oldbadger]

It is interesting that in silence we discover many things.

I then ask how can I know who is talking that I am able hear these things?

Regards Tony

Just watch..... keep watch.

 

[PureX]

People who believe they have the answer for humanity's ills SHOULD NOT BE QUIET about it. But, they must accept that everyone else has the right to react to this revelation as they choose. And trying to force the 'solution' on them would be a greater act of immorality than withholding it from them.

 

[SalixIncendium]

When do we lift our voices?

I won't answer for anyone else, so I'll be replacing "we" with "I."

I lift my voice when I'm asked.

When is silence of any use?

When listening, when learning, when meditating, and when contemplating.

The 3rd and most important question is,

What are the passages from your holy writings that give guidance to raised voices and in choosing silence?

The holy writings that I've revere speak nothing about raising voices. I've read nothing such as, "Here is this revelation. Now run out and tell everyone."

Such revelations, in my experience, come when one is ready for them, not when they are dumped upon them.

As I've said previously, my voice is raised when solicited. Otherwise, I'm silent.

 

[9-10ths_Penguin]

When is silence of any use?

Proverbs 17:28 speaks to that:

Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent, and discerning if he holds his tongue.

Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.

 

[TransmutingSoul]

IMHO:
Only in "Fake Silence" little progress can be found
ONLY In "Real Slence" the perfection is achieved

That has always been an Interesting thought for me, as there are many shows available now where people sit and meditate for very long times, and that is seen as very spiritual. I see a personal benefit in silence, to take stock of one's own self to grow spiritually.

Then the part that I see needs clarification, if I am growing spiritually, but spend all my time in silence, what about doing the good required.

So in real silence, is there action? Can silence bring about our unity?

Personally I see there is a time for silence in all things as nature shows that is so.

Then nature also shows us that silence is the shortest time. Look at the tides, the water is moving always, except at the top and bottom of the flow. Where the is an hour of still water.

It could be our best silence is found deeds.

I have never found it easy to be silent, even in prayer, which is also speaking, my mind wanders to other things.

I am yet to find true silence, except when I sleep and do not dream

Regards Tony