--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It is to this silence [contemplative…" description: "\"It is to this silence [contemplative prayer] that we all are called.\" — Henri Nouwen" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f97/henri-nouwen-600_contemplative_it-is-to-this-silence-contemplative-pray_179446.png" --- # It is to this silence \[contemplative prayer\] that we all… ![“It is to this silence [contemplative prayer] that we all are called.” quote by Henri Nouwen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f97/henri-nouwen-600_contemplative_it-is-to-this-silence-contemplative-pray_179446.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f97/henri-nouwen-600_contemplative_it-is-to-this-silence-contemplative-pray_179446.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f97/henri-nouwen-600_contemplative_it-is-to-this-silence-contemplative-pray_179446.png) > “It is to this silence \[contemplative prayer\] that we all are called.” [Henri Nouwen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-nouwen/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Silence in contemplative prayer invites deep spiritual listening and inner calling. **In simple terms:** Silence in prayer opens inner listening. Key Takeaway Embrace quiet for spiritual insight. Themes spirituality prayer silence contemplation Mood peaceful reflective Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - personal meditation - retreats - daily quiet time Key Concepts inner calling mindfulness Questions to Reflect On - What does silence reveal in your life? - How can you incorporate quiet reflection? A Different Perspective Silence can be uncomfortable. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Contemplative](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/contemplative/) [Contemplative prayer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/contemplative-prayer/) [Prayer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/prayer/) [Prayer Called](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/prayer-called-1924174/) [Silence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/silence/) [Silence Contemplative](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/silence-contemplative-1924173/) ## Related quotes > [In contemplative prayer we seek to become the person we are called to be, not by thinking of God, but by being with God.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-main/in-contemplative-prayer-we-seek-to-become-the-person-we-are-called-to/) [John Main](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-main/) > [“Contemplation, sadly, helps you see your woundedness! That’s why most people do not stay long with contemplative prayer, because it’s not very glorious. It’s…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-rohr/contemplation-sadly-helps-you-see-your-woundedness-that-s-why-most/) [Richard Rohr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-rohr/) > [Another of the things I started to do during this time was what Buddhists normally call "meditation" or, in Christian terms, "contemplative prayer". It…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sara-maitland/another-of-the-things-i-started-to-do-during-this-time-was-what/) [Sara Maitland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sara-maitland/) > [ This mystical stream \[contemplative prayer\] is the Western bridge to Far Eastern spirituality. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tilden-edwards/this-mystical-stream-contemplative-prayer-is-the-western-bridge-to/) [Tilden Edwards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tilden-edwards/) > [Every one should find some suitable time, day or night, to sink into his depths, each according to his own fashion. Not every one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johannes-tauler/every-one-should-find-some-suitable-time-day-or-night-to-sink-into/) [Johannes Tauler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johannes-tauler/) > [We should all without shame enrol in the school of contemplative prayer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-j-foster/we-should-all-without-shame-enrol-in-the-school-of-contemplative/) [Richard J. Foster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-j-foster/) > [“Contemplative prayer is natural, unprogrammed; it is perpetual openness to God, so that in the openness his concerns can flow in and out of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-simpson/contemplative-prayer-is-natural-unprogrammed-it-is-perpetual-openness/) [Ray Simpson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-simpson/) > [The Protestant wing of the western church, which is a tiny percentage of the Body of Christ, is nearly completely (98%) unaware that the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-bickle/the-protestant-wing-of-the-western-church-which-is-a-tiny-percentage/) [Mike Bickle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-bickle/) > [The only thing to seek in contemplative prayer is God; and we seek Him successfully when we realize that we cannot find Him unless…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/the-only-thing-to-seek-in-contemplative-prayer-is-god-and-we-seek-him/) [Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/) > [This is the path of prayer-contemplative prayer, that is, as distinct from simple prayers of supplication and thanksgiving-which is a specific discipline of thought,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/this-is-the-path-of-prayer-contemplative-prayer-that-is-as-distinct/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [There's no Biblical definition of contemplative prayer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-bickle/there-s-no-biblical-definition-of-contemplative-prayer/) [Mike Bickle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-bickle/) > [Other forms of relating to God that have unique value in connecting us to Him include contemplative prayer and centering prayer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/larry-crabb/other-forms-of-relating-to-god-that-have-unique-value-in-connecting/) [Larry Crabb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/larry-crabb/) > [“The contemplative seeks to be drawn ever more deeply into the circle of divine being, consciousness, and bliss, the circle of God knowing and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-bentley-hart/the-contemplative-seeks-to-be-drawn-ever-more-deeply-into-the-circle/) [David Bentley Hart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-bentley-hart/) > [ Contemplative prayer \[oración mental\] in my opinion is nothing else than a close sharing between friends; it means taking time frequently to be alone… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/teresa-of-vila/contemplative-prayer-oraci-n-mental-in-my-opinion-is-nothing-else/) [Teresa of Avila](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/teresa-of-vila/) > [They were creating a program on contemplative prayer called Be Still. They asked me to be a part of this project that was designed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/priscilla-shirer/they-were-creating-a-program-on-contemplative-prayer-called-be-still/) [Priscilla Shirer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/priscilla-shirer/) ## More by Henri Nouwen > [We are not the healers, we are not the reconcilers, we are not the givers of life. We are sinful, broken, vulnerable people who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-nouwen/we-are-not-the-healers-we-are-not-the-reconcilers-we-are-not-the/) [Henri Nouwen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-nouwen/) > [The more we touch the intimate love of God which creates, sustains, and guides us, the more we recognize the multitude of fruits that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-nouwen/the-more-we-touch-the-intimate-love-of-god-which-creates-sustains-and/) [Henri Nouwen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-nouwen/) > [Feelings of guilt dominate our work as peacemakers we cannot last long. But when we have opened each other's eyes to the great human…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-nouwen/feelings-of-guilt-dominate-our-work-as-peacemakers-we-cannot-last/) [Henri Nouwen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-nouwen/) > [...we all want to hear stories, from the moment we are born to the moment we die. Stories connect our little lives with the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-nouwen/we-all-want-to-hear-stories-from-the-moment-we-are-born-to-the-moment/) [Henri Nouwen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-nouwen/) > [I have found it very important...to let go of my wishes and start hoping.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-nouwen/i-have-found-it-very-important-to-let-go-of-my-wishes-and-start-hoping/) [Henri Nouwen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-nouwen/) > [Simply being with someone is difficult because it asks of us that we share in the other's vulnerability, enter with him or her into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-nouwen/simply-being-with-someone-is-difficult-because-it-asks-of-us-that-we/) [Henri Nouwen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-nouwen/) > [Somewhere we know that without silence, words lose their meaning.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-nouwen/somewhere-we-know-that-without-silence-words-lose-their-meaning/) [Henri Nouwen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-nouwen/) > [Jesus says, "Keep your heart on the kingdom first. Keep your heart on God's love. Keep focused on the fact that you are God's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-nouwen/jesus-says-keep-your-heart-on-the-kingdom-first-keep-your-heart-on/) [Henri Nouwen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-nouwen/) > [This sounds very simple and maybe even trite, but very few people know that they are loved without condition or limits.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-nouwen/this-sounds-very-simple-and-maybe-even-trite-but-very-few-people-know/) [Henri Nouwen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-nouwen/) > [“The more preoccupied we are with security the more visible the force of death becomes, whether in the form of a pistol beside our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-nouwen/the-more-preoccupied-we-are-with-security-the-more-visible-the-force/) [Henri Nouwen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-nouwen/) > [If you feel a great loneliness and a deep longing for human contact, you have to be extremely discerning...and ask yourself whether this situation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-nouwen/if-you-feel-a-great-loneliness-and-a-deep-longing-for-human-contact/) [Henri Nouwen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-nouwen/) > [I choose L'Arche; L'Arche chooses me. I would be dead if I weren't here. I need people to love me and care for me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-nouwen/i-choose-l-arche-l-arche-chooses-me-i-would-be-dead-if-i-weren-t-here/) [Henri Nouwen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-nouwen/) > [The truth, even though I cannot feel it right now, is that I am the chosen child of God, precious in God's eyes, called…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-nouwen/the-truth-even-though-i-cannot-feel-it-right-now-is-that-i-am-the/) [Henri Nouwen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-nouwen/) > [In a world so torn apart by rivalry, anger, and hatred, we have the privileged vocation to be living signs of a love that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-nouwen/in-a-world-so-torn-apart-by-rivalry-anger-and-hatred-we-have-the/) [Henri Nouwen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-nouwen/) > [Where true inner freedom is, there is God. And where God is, there we want to be.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-nouwen/where-true-inner-freedom-is-there-is-god-and-where-god-is-there-we/) [Henri Nouwen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-nouwen/) [Explore all 452 Henri Nouwen quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-nouwen/) ## More Contemplative quotes > [“Let no one hope to find in contemplation an escape from conflict, from anguish or from doubt. On the contrary, the deep, inexpressible certitude…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/let-no-one-hope-to-find-in-contemplation-an-escape-from-conflict-from/) [Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/) > [Composing a piece of music is very feminine. It is sensitive, emotional, contemplative. By comparison, doing housework is positively masculine.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-kolb/composing-a-piece-of-music-is-very-feminine-it-is-sensitive-emotional/) [Barbara Kolb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-kolb/) > [“everything kills everything else in some way. Fishing kills me exactly as it keeps me alive. The boy keeps me alive, he thought. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-hemingway/everything-kills-everything-else-in-some-way-fishing-kills-me-exactly/) [Ernest Hemingway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-hemingway/) > [You cannot grow in the integrative dance of action and contemplation without a strong tolerance for ambiguity, an ability to allow, forgive, and contain…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-rohr/you-cannot-grow-in-the-integrative-dance-of-action-and-contemplation/) [Richard Rohr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-rohr/) > [“I wonder if I am not turning into a contemplative . . . But those roses . They were something else. I was having…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/muriel-barbery/i-wonder-if-i-am-not-turning-into-a-contemplative-but-those-roses/) [Muriel Barbery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/muriel-barbery/) > [A lot of people do their practice. They meditate on compassion. Then they yell at people afterwards. That is not quite working. One of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sakyong-mipham/a-lot-of-people-do-their-practice-they-meditate-on-compassion-then/) [Sakyong Mipham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sakyong-mipham/) > [Fish slowly and thoroughly. Haste never paid dividends. Never wory about the fellow ahead of you. If you start racing to get ahaead of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-bergman/fish-slowly-and-thoroughly-haste-never-paid-dividends-never-wory/) [Ray Bergman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-bergman/) > [“Oak gave up his room so they could sleep there, and although the bed is small, Cardan cannot mind when he takes Jude in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/oak-gave-up-his-room-so-they-could-sleep-there-and-although-the-bed/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [Each person comes to have this musical experience, this moment with us, where they get to sink into our world for a little while.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gillian-welch/each-person-comes-to-have-this-musical-experience-this-moment-with-us/) [Gillian Welch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gillian-welch/) > [Since I was introduced to the practice of God's presence, which in turn led me into the contemplative way, I have nearly always felt…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-d-mclaren/since-i-was-introduced-to-the-practice-of-god-s-presence-which-in/) [Brian D. McLaren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-d-mclaren/) > [From about 5 years old on, I was very contemplative and started to become constantly filled with nostalgia for the present moment and the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-ebert/from-about-5-years-old-on-i-was-very-contemplative-and-started-to/) [Alex Ebert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-ebert/) > [“Contemplative love seeks a heroic deed that can be accomplished without delay and in full view of everyone. Indeed, some people are even ready…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fyodor-dostoyevsky/contemplative-love-seeks-a-heroic-deed-that-can-be-accomplished/) [Fyodor Dostoyevsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fyodor-dostoyevsky/) > [We become, after the arrival of the printing press in general, more attentive more attuned to contemplative ways of thinking.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicholas-g-carr/we-become-after-the-arrival-of-the-printing-press-in-general-more/) [Nicholas G. Carr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicholas-g-carr/) > [I just think of interesting roles to play. I guess that I have matured, I guess growing up and becoming a man, your taste…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-hartnett/i-just-think-of-interesting-roles-to-play-i-guess-that-i-have-matured/) [Josh Hartnett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-hartnett/) > [“define Ignatian spirituality in a few words, you could say that it is: Finding God in all things Becoming a contemplative in action Looking…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-martin/define-ignatian-spirituality-in-a-few-words-you-could-say-that-it-is/) [James Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-martin/) [Browse all 237 Contemplative quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/contemplative/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "It is to this silence [contemplative prayer] that we all are called.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Henri Nouwen" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-nouwen/it-is-to-this-silence-contemplative-prayer-that-we-all-are-called/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Contemplative" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-nouwen/it-is-to-this-silence-contemplative-prayer-that-we-all-are-called/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f97/henri-nouwen-600_contemplative_it-is-to-this-silence-contemplative-pray_179446.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f97/henri-nouwen-600_contemplative_it-is-to-this-silence-contemplative-pray_179446.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f97/henri-nouwen-600_contemplative_it-is-to-this-silence-contemplative-pray_179446.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“It is to this silence [contemplative prayer] that we all are called.” — Henri Nouwen", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Henri Nouwen", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-nouwen/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "It is to this silence [contemplative...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-nouwen/it-is-to-this-silence-contemplative-prayer-that-we-all-are-called/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-nouwen/it-is-to-this-silence-contemplative-prayer-that-we-all-are-called/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```