someone sent this to the forum today:
Henri Nouwen writes, 'When we enter silence all outward noise is gone. No motors, no TV's, no conversations. All is quiet. But that is when we start hearing the inner noise, the voices of jealousy, anger, resentment, lust, greed, feelings of rejection, loss, abuse. Their noise can become deafening. We may try to run from them, to find some entertainment to distract us. This is where the interior life begins. It is where we begin to confront our evil thoughts, to replace them with the softer gentler voices of goodness, peace, kindness, gentleness, joy, hope, forgiveness, love.' (Nouwen: Can You Drink the Cup? pg.95). So what do you feed on when you enter into silence: evil thoughts or the Word of God? That is how you know when you are seeking silence for the sake of prayer".

it's doesn't feel exactly where I am at, but it stuck out like a saw thumb
and perhaps I just need to keep reading it over and over . . . .

So what do you feed on when you enter into silence: evil thoughts or the Word of God?

evil is not always angry and jealous:
it can just be doubtful, doubting and half-hearted.