How to Go on a Word Fast

Create the Space for the Divine in your Life

We say we want peace and intimacy, to create the space for divine inspiration and intuition. And so often, we mistakenly think it will be our words that will bring us what we want. We talk to persuade, to help, to explain and defend. We chatter nervously and talk our issues through out loud with others. Ironically, this over-reliance upon words builds a wall of sound through which the experiences we seek cannot pass.

In her poem “No Words for Me Today”, author/poet Kathy K. Grow describes going on a word fast. “No words for me today, no matter how ripe and right…And in my silent hunger—a space for thought and prayer and faith—I begin to hear God again.”

Following are words of inspiration and simple exercises to guide you through a word fast of your own.

Carol Orsborn, Ph.D. is Founder of FierceWithAge, the Digest of Boomer Wisdom, Inspiration and Spirituality. Dr. Orsborn, who earned her doctorate in religion from Vanderbilt University, is the best-selling author of 21 books including her newest book: Fierce with Age: Chasing God and Squirrels in Brooklyn.