Our minds are like a tuning fork, picking up the energies of the universe, that is to say, vibrating in tune with all that is encompassed by God. Biologists mistakenly think that all thoughts are generated within the brain by means of physical, neural connections. Yet we all know and have experienced that some insights, even in some cases some great scientific discoveries, have come upon people seemingly from nowhere. Sometimes we even hear a “still small voice,” as God spoke to Elijah the Prophet (1 Kings 19:11-12). The ancients called this voice their muse. Some writers say they wrote like taking dictation from that voice, and some musicians like Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys said that an entire song with lyrics just came to them, as if from somewhere else. This is how St. Teresa of Avila wrote her most famous work, The Interior Castle – it came to her in a flash, and then she wrote rapidly, never going back to edit or revise.

We need to learn to trust that still, small voice. God seeks out those quiet moments when we’re not distracted by the noise, which has become increasingly difficult in the modern age. Sometimes these quiet whispered messages come to us in the shower or in the middle of the night, which is perhaps the only time in our day when we’re not listening to online chatter or music. The Holy Spirit is persistently trying to come through to help guide us whenever and wherever there is the opportunity. Perhaps we could try turning off the radio or podcast while we’re driving, and at stop lights just look at the beauty of the sky. We could try sitting on our couch for a while with nothing else going on. We can try meditation or prayer. We could go for a walk without earbuds. God welcomes our attention in these moments.

When we put aside our busy thoughts, preoccupations, and digital distractions, we can just be, in tune with God. We can just feel ourselves in continuum with the universe. Though we get lost in agendas, to-do lists, plots and schemes, tuning back in can be just a moment away.  Amen.