Gordon Hempton is the acoustical engineer or acoustical mystic, as I like to think of him, who intentionally studied, recorded and immersed himself in silence for most of his adult life. He regards silence as an endangered species on Earth because human noise has seeped into virtually nook and cranny of the planet.
In a marvelous seven-minute contemplative video called Sanctuaries of Silence Hempton speaks of being "baptized" at age 27 into silence during a storm This observation is reminiscent of the wilderness story of Elijah and the "sound of sheer silence" in the biblical book of 1 Kings, chapter 19. The use of religious terms such as "sanctuaries" and "baptized" are appropriate, regardless of his spiritual leanings, or lack thereof. Not only are we impaired when it comes to "hearing ourselves think," we have we are unable to hear God in our noise-filled lives.
Henri Nouwen reminded us that our word deaf comes from the Latin "surdus" -- absurd. Without the attention to the natural world we may be unable to listen for God's voice. This is not meant to demean those with hearing impairment, who are often better listeners than those of who have 20/20 hearing, or whatever the hearing equivalent may be.
Here is Sanctuaries of Silence for your consideration:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69sr8wr7ZPY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69sr8wr7ZPY
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