“After our first efforts, however, we may also notice that silence does not entirely belong to us. For once we have passed through the door of prayer, we discover an agitated crowd of thoughts, feelings, and aversions that we have great difficulty in quieting. These noisy, stubborn multitudes bog down our soul. We can decide to pray and realize that it is impossible to remain concentrated on our interior life. We are distracted by a thousand disturbing things. The interior racket makes all silence impossible. The slightest of passions that has troubled our heart before a prayer can ruin that moment of silence. Noise triumphs, and silence flees. How can we come to master our own interior silence? The only answer lies in asceticism, self-renunciation, and humility. If man does not mortify himself, if he stays as he is, he remains outside of God...” (Robert Cardinal Sarah, The Power of Silence).
