Don’t speak unless you can improve the

silence. ~ Chinese proverb

The Lessons of Silence

Wherever we are, what we hear is mostly noise.  When we ignore it, it disturbs us.  When we listen

to it, we find it fascinating. John Cage 4’33”

Why are so many people afraid of silence?

Why should silence be a part of your life?

Would it be harder to find your inner  being in a loud

environment or a quiet environment?

What does the Bible say about our constant urge to be

active and surrounded by noise?

Are we now afraid of being alone with our thoughts? Is constant media taking us away from ourselves and our innermost thoughts?

The author says that "modern music has been described as a cacophony of din." In what ways is modern music different from music 50 years ago?

What thoughts and emotions do we try to hide under the “clamor and noise” (232) of daily life?

 Why is it easier to find God in silence?

Nature and God

Does the world manifest God, or are the world and God the same? Explain.

Is there a difference between God and Nature?

The fact that "nature is orderly" is self evident and ubiquitous. How does this make you view nature?

How have humans attempted to alter the natural, God given order of the Earth?

Does it matter?

What is inspiration?

Silence and Art

Does an epic piece of music or art make more of an impact on you if it is famous, or

littleknown?

Do you think that art and music has gotten less impactful because the artists have been

distracted by other things?

Yen Mah talks about how she channeled her feelings into her writing. Do you ever do the same thing with your specific outlet, such as theatre, art, writing, dance, sport, etc?

 According to the book, what is “great art?” Does man have the capability to create it, or

is God the only proficient artist?  

How does our God satisfy our senses of beauty, truth, goodness, and order? (pg.236)

How do the empty spaces (silences) of a piece of art communicate?

Are we merely attempting to approach the perfection of Nature in the creation of our art?

What makes things beautiful?

What is the source "of everything good, truthful, beautiful, and intelligent"?

What are humans all searching for? And why are we searching for it?

Why do the things left unstated, unexpressed, and unsketched add to the artwork

and make us feel more spiritual?

That Mysterious “Something”Beauty?Truth?Goodness?Order?

On page 236, Yen Mah talks about how we are all looking for that "something" we are unable to express. How is that "something" different for a Christian and a Buddhist?

How does Yen Mah illustrate how nearly every religion, God centered or not, is connected and interwoven with many others to form a single adamant idea: we are not an accident?

Is she correct? How does reason figure into her conclusions? How is she correct in that we feel emptiness

when searching for money and material things, and that we are searching for something bigger?

Man’s Perfect Unity

 "The lessons of silence are peerless and unmatched by anything else under heaven."

 What does Yen Mah discover at the end of the book that she's been endlessly searching for?

Does she really find it?

What Truth is everyone really seeking?

Do you believe you should search out ‘enlightenment’ or that God will reveal everything you need to know in his own time?

Pope John Paul proposed that even non-Christian religions are all reflections of one truth. What is this truth?

On page 234, the author says that "religions are gradually coalescing into a single entity." If we look at the meaning of the word "religion", it comes from a Latin root meaning "reconnect." Is it possible that, in the future, people are going to have a "fusion of creeds"? Will we have one religion that will be accepted by Christians, Buddhists, Muslims, Hindus and other religions alike?

The book mentions that many religions are becoming unified due to recent scientific discoveries. How does our knowledge of science bring religions together?Religion

or ?

How in your life can silence be used to bring you closer to God?

     On page 230 in Watching the Tree you’ll find the quote “Be still, and know that Heaven is close at hand”. Which verse in the Bible does this quote resemble and why is this such an important concept in one’s walk with Christ?