Friends Organize Solitude and Silence Experiment

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A couple of friends, Mike and Matt, ignited an appetite for adopting solitude and silence in a handful of guys. They found these to be treasured elements in their "apprenticing pilgrimage" and have since gleaned meaningful dividends from going with the disciplines, including less frequent and intense episodes of anxiety and impatience. Mike and Matt welcomed a few other guys into a "solitude and silence" experiment, where the group gathered at an acreage, branched out to find individual spots, and reconvened after a couple hours.

Why it matters

The story highlights how incorporating practices of solitude and silence into one's routine can have a positive impact on mental and emotional well-being, even for active, mainstream individuals. It suggests that the human soul and body are designed to function with a sense of serenity, and the experiment showcases a practical way for people to cultivate that.

The details

Mike and Matt, described as "youngish husbands and fathers" who are "active men in the mainstream of workaday living," had each been incorporating solitude and silence into their weekly routines. They then welcomed a few other guys to join them in an "experiment" where the group gathered at an acreage, branched out to find individual spots for a couple hours, and then reconvened. The participants brought camping chairs, Bibles, writing materials, and water.

• The experiment took place on a sunny, weather-friendly day with only a slight chill in the air.
• The group gathered and then branched out for a couple hours before reconvening.