The Sounds of Silence

One of the pop songs that I remember from my youth was Simon and Garfunkel's Sound of Silence which hit the charts in the 1960s. It had a gentle, singable and easy-flowing melody and soothing rhythm. It soon became an overnight success, claiming a 'top ten hit' in many countries. As a young adolescent, and learning to play the guitar, I was also captivated by the song.

Another interesting feature of the song, which added to its popularity, was the lyrics. They offered a warning to the 'all-consuming consumerism' that was rapidly spreading in Western society. It tended to dominate and shape people's lives and desires. For that reason alone, it rapidly became the key driver of the local economy.

Consumerism was especially appealing to younger people, who were growing up in a rapidly changing world. However, despite all its attractions and its promise of fulfilment and joy, it more often left a trail of dissatisfaction and a perpetual yearning for 'something more'. For example, Simon and Garfunkel's song included these lyrics:

And the people bowed and prayed

to the neon god they made

and the sign flashed out its warning

in the words that it was forming.

And the sign said, “The words of the prophets

are written on the subway walls

and tenement halls

and whispered in the sounds of silence.”

However, the song became so popular that Simon and Garfunkel included it at nearly every concert until the group broke up in 1970.

What I find interesting, especially in the lyrics and popularity of this song, is the emphasis on the importance and place of silence in a rapidly changing world.

Richard Rohr has also made a similar observation in more recent years. For example, in the closing chapters of his book “A Spring Within Us”, he includes the following observation:

“Silence precedes, undergirds, and grounds everything else. Unless we learn to live there, go there, and abide in this different phenomenon, everything – words, events, relationships, identities – becomes rather superficial, without depth or context. We are left to search for meaning in a life of events and situations that need to contain ever greater stimulation, more excitement, and more color, in an attempt to add vital signs to our inherently bored and boring existence.”¹

Rohr goes on to suggest that our best moments in life can arise from these moments of interior silence because when we allow ourselves to pause and become still, we open the door to a contemplative way of knowing, and in doing so, we allow Christ to be born within us.

Such an observation stands in direct contrast to the prevailing philosophy of consumerism within local Western society, which tends to invite us in quite a different direction. However, while it may catch our attention, in the long run it will not, and can not, make us happy!

Instead, consumerism is often criticised and blamed for increasing people's anxiety, stress, poor moods, unhappiness in relationships, and various other psychological problems, including greater anxiety and depression ².

The road to happiness, however, lies in quite a different direction. It involves things like nurturing positive relationships, making mindful choices, having a good and productive job or hobby, cultivating a sense of purpose in one's life, and developing a sense of mastery over both the good and bad events that occur in one's life. And finally, cultivating a positive faith experience, which will both facilitate and nurture our awareness of the peace and love that God has for each one of us.

Kia mau te rongo me te pai ki a koe i to haerenga

May you find peace and goodwill on your journey.

Phil

the mainstream society and its values.

1    Rohr, R. A Spring Within Us: A Year of Daily Meditations (SPCK 2018) Page 395

2  Investopedia: Consumerism: Definition, Economic Impact, Pros & Cons