Comments on: Laryngitis as a Spiritual Discipline

By: Kathryn Lyons-Keyt

Kathryn Lyons-Keyt — Thu, 20 Mar 2014 05:57:39 +0000

I never thought of having laryngitis as a spiritual discipline. I’ve had laryngitis for almost two weeks and have had the occasional partial voice, but I’m generally having to whisper (which is very different from my usual can-be-stentorian voice). And no one I know signs, otherwise I could have an actual conversation. However, God hears even silent voices! Something to ponder!

By: Katherine N

Katherine N — Wed, 16 Oct 2013 21:51:09 +0000

I have had bronchitis since childhood but it never resulted in the loose of my voice. Several years ago when I had a bad experience with swine flu the bronchitis flared up badly and I lost my voice. Since then, every cold or flu leads to bronchitis and I loose my voice.
A month ago my voice took a long leave of absence after I caught a bad cold…it was gone for over two weeks. A few days ago I had a relapse and my voice is starting to go again. God must be reminding me that it is time to be silent and allow the deeper connection with Him once more. Along with the Silence comes a beautiful Inner Peace that is difficult to describe with words. I am Grateful for each of these experiences which allows me to grow and to expand inner peace within.
I love the calm that fills my body when I am in the Silence. Years ago I went on a 4 week spiritual retreat, in Wolf Creek, Montana, during which I was inspired to take a 3 day vow of silence. That was a first for me but I found I longed to be in a Silent state to allow myself to be totally open to the presence of God all around me. It was the richest experience of my life. I came home from the retreat filled with a desire to experience that beautiful silence and uninterrupted connection with source. It was in the years to follow that I began to experience laryngitis every time I had bronchitis. It has been interesting that I have not had to stop my life and decide when I was going to commit to the days of silence. It comes when I least expect it and my life goes on perfectly well without words. The feeling of being in your body and not having to form a thought stream that you feel compelled to express is so enriching. My soul feels nurtured and there is a feeling of peace and calm that resonates throughout my entire body as though it is pulsing through every cell.
I embrace the expansion of this inner peace as it grows. When one allows it to be fully embraced we feel different and others experience us differently. It is lovely for us but also presents so much more of us to others around us. I trust that by sharing my experience others may be touch and perhaps inspired as I have been. What I have learned is that any of us can stop at any time or in any place, if only briefly, and allow the silence to fill our being and reconnect with our
source.
In joy,
Katherine

By: Solitude and Crowds in Orlando

Solitude and Crowds in Orlando — Tue, 16 Jul 2013 21:46:32 +0000

[…] My laryngitis had seemed to heal, but after a week of talking it’s returned (yes Mom, I have a doctor’s appointment for when we get home). It’s awkward to keep pointing at my throat every time I see someone I know. And even harder to not be able to talk and connect with people. I actually know quite a few folks from my divinity school days and have been disappointed that all we can really do it hug and make sad faces, although it’s fun to listen to them talk with Adam. Some have been very good at patiently interpreting my gestures and reading things I type on my iPhone. Still, it feels as though there is a clear plastic sheet between me and all these people I care about. […]

By: Joyce B

Joyce B — Wed, 03 Jul 2013 02:22:44 +0000

Sounds a littl like the ideal contmative life Thomas Merton was always yearning for. He felt many times that the Trappist monastery was too noisy.