In a world that rarely slows down, silence can feel intimidating—even impossible. Yet, as Rich Lewis gently reminds us, “Just a few minutes of silence each day can change your entire life.” On the latest episode of The Enlightened Life, Rich joined me to share how the practice of centering prayer became the doorway to a deeper, more peaceful self—and how it can do the same for you, no matter where you are on your spiritual journey.

Rich’s story begins, as many do, with restlessness. He was searching for more depth, more meaning, in his prayer life. Like so many of us, he’d heard about the power of silence, but found himself struggling—unsure how to sit still, unsure what to do with the racing thoughts that inevitably surfaced. “I didn’t know what I was doing,” he admits. “Even two or three minutes felt like forever. But I sensed there was more to prayer than words, and that silence was powerful.”

That search led him to centering prayer, a practice rooted in Christian tradition but open to all. “You don’t have to be a Christian or of any faith,” Rich says. “Just show up and see what happens in the silence. Trust the silence.” Centering prayer, at its heart, is about presence—not perfection. It’s not about clearing your mind, but noticing your thoughts and gently letting them go, returning again and again to the present moment.

Rich’s practical advice is both simple and revolutionary:
Start small. “Don’t feel like you have to sit for 30 minutes. Try five minutes, first thing in the morning, for 30 days. See what happens.”
Use a sacred word, image, or even your breath to anchor yourself. When thoughts arise (and they will), gently return to your anchor and let the thoughts float by.
“There’s no such thing as a bad sit with God,” Rich emphasizes. “Our job is just to show up and trust that this is a healing, transforming process.” Over time, he noticed profound changes: less anxiety, a greater ability to pause before reacting, and—perhaps most importantly—the emergence of his true self. “Underneath all the thoughts—anxiety, worry, fear—your true self is waiting to be discovered in the silence.”

Rich’s journey didn’t just transform his inner life; it nudged him out of his comfort zone and into new callings—writing, coaching, even moving to a new state and starting a new job in his late 50s. His story is a testament to the quiet courage that grows when we make space for the sacred, even (and especially) when we’re unsure what will happen.

Whether you’re deeply spiritual or simply curious, Rich’s invitation is the same: take a daily dose of silence. Let it reset your soul. And remember, as you sit in the quiet, you may just find a whole new side of yourself waiting to be discovered.
If you’re ready to begin, start with five minutes. Commit to 30 days. And see what unfolds.

To learn more about Rich Lewis’s work, visit silentteaches.com and check out his book, Sitting with God: A Journey to Your True Self Through Centering Prayer.
For more soul-nourishing conversations, resources, and upcoming events, visit mediumscottallan.com.