"The Fire Within", or passion as I have named it, can so easily be smothered or discounted. Often it is my own lack of gentleness and compassion for myself that pours water on that fire. Perhaps it is when we have spoken and then felt betrayed when the passion is shunned.
Nouwen writes: "Often we come home from a sharing session with a feeling that something precious has been taken away from us, or that holy ground has been trodden upon.
What needs to be guarded is the life of the Spirit within us."
Pg 46/47
Vincent van Gogh wrote: There may be a great fire in our soul, yet no one ever comes to warm himself at it, and the passerby only see a wisp of smoke coming through the chimney, and go along their way. Look here, now what must be done? Must one tend the inner fire, have salt in oneself, wait patiently yet with how much impatience for the hour when somebody will come and sit down - maybe to stay? Let him who believes in God wait for the hour that will come sooner or later.
(all quotations from Way of the Heart - Henri Nouwen)
Hence silence becomes the place to sit and wait, to guard the inner fire/passion.