We need silence

IT was intriguing, alright, to learn that Pope Benedict chose the topic of silence for his annual address for the 46th World Communications Day scheduled on May 20 this year. My friends from the media immediately reacted, more in jest, of course, “Does he want to silence us?”

Quite the contrary. When one gets to read the message, the Pope actually wants to make our communications more meaningful, substantial and human. We cannot deny the fact that the world of communications lately has been drowning in a flood of negative, destructive, useless and idle chatter amplified by the digital technologies.

The freedom of expression has really gone out of bounds, stoked by your economic problems and political differences. But I think the real culprit is the absence of God in the communication process. That may not be intended, but that’s what is reality is taking place.

Truth is abuses are rampant as vulgarities and profanities proliferate. Basic norms of courtesy and standard shows of refinement are flouted. There’s so much bashing and bickering around, and if not that, then a lot of pride, vanity and self-glorification to the point of self-righteousness.

We have already crafted a number of codes of ethics for journalists, opinion-makers, publicity men, etc., for example, but to a large extent these codes remain cold codes with hardly any effect and following. They remain elusive as ever.

It would be good to go through some of the points of the message, entitled “Silence and Word: Path of Evangelization,” because they are basic and at the same time prone to be taken for granted.

The Pope starts by saying that “when word and silence become mutually exclusive, communication breaks down, either because it gives rise to confusion or because, on the contrary, it creates an atmosphere of coldness. When they complement one another, however, communication acquires value and meaning.”

I can personally verify the truth of these words. These words deserve to be taken seriously especially by our media practitioners who are often swallowed by the whoosh and rush of deadlines, pressures and the objective demands of their profession that truly are quite heavy.

The Pope gives a listing of some advantages of silence that’s worthwhile repeating here if only to have just a reminder. I quote below a part of his message:

“In silence, we are better able to listen to and understand ourselves; ideas come to birth and acquire depth; we understand with greater clarity what it is we want to say and what we expect from others; and we choose how to express ourselves.

“By remaining silent we allow the other person to speak, to express him or herself; and we avoid being tied simply to our own words and ideas without them being adequately tested. In this way, space is created for mutual listening, and deeper human relationships become possible.

“It is often in silence, for example, that we observe the most authentic communication taking place between people who are in love: gestures, facial expressions and body language are signs by which they reveal themselves to each other.

“Joy, anxiety, and suffering can all be communicated in silence – indeed it provides them with a particularly powerful mode of expression. Silence, then, gives rise to even more active communication, requiring sensitivity and a capacity to listen that often makes manifest the true measure and nature of the relationships involved.

“When messages and information are plentiful, silence becomes essential if we are to distinguish what is important from what is insignificant or secondary.

“Deeper reflection helps us to discover the links between events that at first sight seem unconnected, to make evaluations, to analyze messages; this makes it possible to share thoughtful and relevant opinions, giving rise to an authentic body of shared knowledge.

“For this to happen, it is necessary to develop an appropriate environment, a kind of ‘eco-system’ that maintains a just equilibrium between silence, words, images and sounds.”

Of course, the Pope focuses his message more to those of us—actually all of us—who have the mission of evangelization. For them, for us, silence is indispensable. “In silent contemplation,” he said, “the eternal Word, through whom the world was created, becomes ever more powerfully present and we become aware of the plan of salvation that God is accomplishing throughout our history by word and deed.”

We should learn how to live silence in our communications. We should be wary when we are pressured to lose it. It’s like a bird that in wanting to fly higher, cuts its wings to be lighter.