"...Ground of the Soul..."

"In the most intimate, hidden and innermost ground of the soul, God is always essentially, actively, and substantially present. Here the soul possesses everything by grace which God possesses by nature." - Johannes Tauler (1300 - 1361)

Silence

Abba Ammonas - Ora pro nobis

Behold my beloved, I have shown you the power of silence, how thoroughly it heals and how pleasing it is to God. Wherefore I have written to you to show yourselves strong in this work you have undertaken, so that you may know that it is by silence that the saints grew, that it was because of silence that the power of God dwelt in them, because of silence that the mysteries of God were known to them. - Abba Ammonas

...Filled with Meaning

"The obvious fact is that everyone suffers and that almost all go through periods of deep suffering and darkness. Some, inexplicably, seem to experience more suffering than others. If you are in darkness, recognize the fact that you have plenty of company. If you have failed to admit the universal human experience of suffering, then this recognition should make you more compassionate and sensitive to people’s hidden pain in the future. By rejecting the unwarranted illusion that ‘everyone is doing well but me’, you will become a far more open human being, sensitive to the sufferings of others, and willing to listen and help. What is far more important, you will not look on this Christian way of acting as a chore or burden. Even if things are going well, compassionate concern for others will constantly remind you that life is not always sunshine. In a wounded world marked by the mystery of the original fall of the human race, life cannot always be beautiful, but it can be filled with meaning.” -  Fr. Benedict Groeschel, C.F.R.  From his book, “Arise from Darkness” (Ignatius Press)