I tell my writing students to stop talking because they will not hear anything without the silence. The cats sit in my lap, stare at me, but they don't meow. They understand the rarity of this time together before the talking resumes and the silence is lost forever.

Instead of celebrating and partying with the usual aches and discomfort the next day, why not be in the perfect stillness and let the peace and quiet bring its special presence into our lives?

Maybe the gift of silence is what this year's holiday is really about. The gift of silence can restore the mystic within an unbelieving soul. Given the opportunity, the peace and stillness this Christmas Eve can restore something even more beautiful: our innocence.

This season, we can give ourselves the gift of embracing our hearts in silence. Our crowded thoughts come from a crowded heart. Taking time to enjoy silence is time for the simple beauty of life.

To let go and fall into the arms of silence carries us into the sweetness of surrender. It is to become a master in the humble art of living.

As soon as we enter into silence, there are gifts that renew and strengthen our essential selves. These gifts are qualities that enlighten and bring real joy. I call these qualities "muscles of the heart."

It's astounding how uncomfortable we are with silence. We have lost our capacity to be still with ourselves. We are in desperate need of entertainment. Why is that? Is it just a new habit, a fabulous gift of our technology? Or is it something deeper?

The rolling blackouts in Tokyo have given us the chance to reconsider the role of silence in our lives. By welcoming these occasional periods of silence, we can heighten our senses enough to be able to hear what our real energy needs are.