There might be some who are not familiar with the words of this testimony Claret offers us in his Autobiography. The “retreats” are days of silence, reflection and prayer which some people carry out periodically; they are an intensive commitment to revise and programme one´s own spirituality. They are special occasions to examine ones attitudes, to listen from the heart and allow God to speak to recover that peace of the spirit that can be deteriorated because of the daily hustle and bustle; and it is possible only by an intensive commitment to live and work meaningfully and hopefully.
Silence is an important element in everybody´s life. We cannot “listen” without creating an inner space of silence that allows the words to resound in the mind and heart of a listener. And without silence we cannot listen to the voice of God. Thus we have been taught by the great teachers of all cultures and religious traditions.
We are living in a world that flees from silence. Verities of sounds, words and rumours bombard our hearing and mind every day. The modern person finds it difficult to create that space of silence that may allow him to listen to the voice of his heart and grasp the meaning of the words addressed to him.
It is important to create a silent atmosphere in one´s own life to be better able to listen to calls. Our daily life becomes important and deep with silence. In these atmospheres of silence, the voice of others and of God will allow us to enjoy a solitude accompanied with a love converted into a presence.