Chapter 7: The value of humility (paragraph 16)

The ninth step of humility leads us to refrain from unnecessary speech and to guard our silence by not speaking until we are addressed. (From para. 16 of Ch. 7 of Saint Benedict's Rule, trans. by Patrick Barry, OSB, 1997.)

The meaning of unnecessary speech has come to include, for me, the wishing, chattering, complaining and repetitive monologue of my mind. What is it like for to me to move through my day with a respectful interior silence, and open attention, listening to creation?