In Podcasts, The Inner Life

Silence – The Inner Life – December 11, 2024 [Encore]

Patrick Conleyby Patrick Conley

Check out this awesome encore show from December 5, 2024 about the power of silence! 

Father Eric Nielsen joins Patrick to discuss Silence

  • Why is silence important?
  • (11:41) Vince – What is the connection between silence and Eucharistic adoration.  It seems like every time I try to be in silence, I’m distracted.
  • Marylou – It’s my middle name! I had a Carmelite spiritual director.  I told him I felt like crying during contemplative prayer. He said it’s like driving down a 2 lane road with things in the back. When you put the brakes on, everything comes to the front.  I thought it was a beautiful metaphor.

(23:37) Break 1

  • Why do we tend to reject silence in our lives?
  • (28:21) John – Balance between going out and building skill sets and achieving that silence in daily living.  Hobbies – you get adrenaline rushes over certain hobbies.  What is the proper balance between this and contemplation?

(35:39) Break 2

  • Patrick shares several emails asking about silence
  • (39:59) what are some good practical ways to develop silence in our life?
  • Grace – I worked in healthcare for 40 years. When you’re working in that field, you have to do everything in succession.  I started going to church after retiring.  I started counting due to what I was used to.  Moved to the front row to remove that distraction.  I have a prayer book that is marked up and it’s my workbook.

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Patrick Conley

Patrick Conley

Patrick Conley was born, raised, and baptized in Wisconsin in a Protestant tradition. After meeting his wife, Kendra, through an Evangelical ministry at the University of Minnesota, they entered the Catholic Church in 2010. They listened to Relevant Radio, specifically The Inner Life, while preparing to enter the Church. Conley now holds a degree in theology from Oxford University and has served the Church in both academic theology and grassroots pastoral ministry. Conley teaches religion classes in a Catholic elementary school, serves as his parish Director of Religious Education, and is in formation for the permanent diaconate. He also hosts Practicing Catholic on Relevant Radio, exclusive to the Minneapolis area’s airwaves, and is a traveling presenter for the Catherine of Siena Institute apostolate. He lives in rural Wisconsin with his wife and their bulldogs, Georgie and Bingley.