Silence is Golden

Most of us know the saying that “silence is golden” in the context of the proverb it is often wise to say nothing. Silence is often considered a gateway to spirituality, a practice that can foster inner peace, deeper connection, and heightened awareness of one’s inner self and the divine. It’s a practice that allows individuals to quiet the constant stream of thoughts and sounds that can distract from spiritual contemplation.

I ask you to take a moment and reflect – how much silence do you incorporate into your day?

A daily centering prayer practice has been a game changer for me. This coupled with periodic silent retreats and prioritizeing a contemplative lifestyle has propelled my spiritual awareness. Now there is research that affirms this critical aspect in our journey towards wholeness, especially as we age.

Researchers have found that silence is more than just the absence of sound; it is something that actively transforms the brain.

According to a new study on silence and its impact on the brain, after just three days of intentional silence, the brain begins to both physically and functionally rewire itself, creating changes that are comparable to months of meditation or cognitive training.

One of the most surprising findings involves the hippocampus, which is the brain region responsible for memory. Scientists found that after three days of sustained silence, participants showed measurable growth of new brain cells in this area. This kind of neurogenesis was previously believed to require long-term interventions.

For individuals regularly exposed to noise, the effects were even more pronounced, suggesting that those most stressed by sound may benefit the most from silence-induced brain changes. Silence programs our brains to be calm.

There are significant emotional benefits as well. After a few days of silence, the brain’s emotional centers can communicate more efficiently, allowing people to better notice the early signs of emotional stress and respond with better clarity. Participants in silent retreats reported steadier moods, fewer overreactions, and increased resilience, with effects lasting weeks after the silent period ended.

Silence also can enhance sensory perception. Participants in the study demonstrated improved vision, taste, smell, and touch, which was all confirmed by standardized testing. This sensory sharpening results from the brain reallocating resources, a process known as “cross-modal plasticity.”

Cognitive performance also sees improvement after a period of silence. Long-term studies suggest that regular quiet periods could also slow age-related cognitive decline and reduce stress-related brain damage. In clinical trials with older adults, structured silence improved memory, lowered anxiety, and delayed cognitive impairment progression.

Researchers said that about two hours of accumulated quiet a day—spaced throughout mornings, breaks, and evenings—is sufficient enough to produce measurable effects. It is recommended that simple practices like starting the day without screens, taking short walks without earbuds, or carving out ten minutes between tasks can contribute to these benefits.

In a world filled with distractions and digital noise, silence emerges as a powerful tool for mental clarity and long-term brain health. Quiet time, it turns out, is not just a luxury but a neurological necessity.

Please contact me if you would like discuss ways you can incorporate the life giving practice of silence on your life.

Peace be with you.