Settle Down, Son
The problem with living in the noisiest time in human history and what you can do about it
We live in the loudest time in human history.
If you live in any urban or even suburban area, you’re most likely exposed to the continuous, yet spontaneously alternating, sounds of cars whizzing by, planes and helicopters flying above you, sirens wailing, horns honking, leaf blowers, jackhammers, trains, subways, motorcycles, garbage trucks, and so forth.
Our cities have been increasingly designed for efficiently hauling consumer items and less designed for the quality of life of the human beings who consume them.
Restaurants and cafes often blast terrible low-vibration pop music so loud you can barely hear the person across the table talk.
In the average person’s home, the TV is on all day long with mindless, degenerate movies, reality TV, and cable news.
In 2026, however, most people are not outside, they’re not in a bar or restaurant, and they’re not watching TV.
They’re staring at their phones with earbuds on.
Blankly staring at “reels” and “stories,” where the noise level and the fast-paced editing continue to increase as the average person’s attention span continues to decrease.
I feel confident in stating there’s more talking and less listening in the world right now than at any other time in human history.
Everyone has the ability to express their uninformed opinion on anything under the sun 24/7 on social media.
With the millions of podcasts, news programs, and YouTube videos on every topic imaginable, you’d think we’d have it all figured out by now.
And yet, people seem more confused than ever!
With all the talk about air pollution, water pollution, and food pollution, no one talks about the modern form of pollution that may be the most damaging to the human soul of all.
Noise pollution.
The human body and the mind were never designed for this level of consistent noise.
The overwhelmed nervous system subconsciously enters into a chronic state of fight or flight, so common most people no longer know it’s there.
The body, the mind, and heart forget how to relax, ground, and center.
They can no longer drop into the interior silence of divine intelligence and wisdom.
If you study the great spiritual mystics and saints from any time and any culture in human history, you discover something they all have in common.
They all sought places that were quiet.
Whether it be deserts, monasteries, or mountaintops, they all sought places where the nervous system could relax, the mind could quiet, the heart could open, and the soul could be illuminated.
More than ever, what we need is quiet.
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While this is a massive problem that can seem overwhelming, I do have a transformational solution.
Stay tuned. In a few days, I’ll be unveiling my new 5-day Digital Detox & Silent Retreat at the Abbey of Gethsemani Monastery.
Comment, or reply, to be sent the information directly.
Space will be limited to only 5 participants.
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