Whose Silence are You?
Welcome to The Tree of Serendipity, where each post is a spontaneous encounter with grace—born from the pages of a beloved book, the spark of an inner whisper, and the quiet joy of listening.
In this first offering, we meet a contemporary koan by Thomas Merton—a poet, mystic, and contemplative monk—whose words echo across time and space, inviting us into presence, stillness, and sacred conversation.
Interestingly, this passage came not from a Merton book, but from Original Blessing by theologian and visionary Matthew Fox, founder of the Creation Spirituality movement. Original Blessing invites us to rediscover the sacredness of all life, the beauty of creativity, and our innate belonging to the web of creation. That this passage emerged from such a book feels like no accident—it was grace choosing grace.
The post weaves Merton's gentle mysterious koan with personal reflection and a glimpse into the contemplative practice behind this reading. You’re invited to listen, wonder, and let the words speak to you in their own way.
Here is the passage that arrived to open this journey:
“Be still Listen to the stones of the wall Be silent, they try To speak your Name. Listen To the living walls. Who are you? Who Are you? Whose Silence are you?” —Thomas Merton, The Strange Islands
Let this be a doorway. A moment of remembering. A conversation between you and the invisible.
May the Muse guide you. May the walls speak. And may we all listen.
If you’re touched by what you hear, feel free to reach out and share your thoughts, reflections, or treasures. You’re warmly welcome here.
