Silence and discernment highlighted as tools against modern freneticism

Reflections on modern life emphasize the importance of silence and discernment as tools to navigate contemporary freneticism. Psychologist Massimo Forcellini, a guide for retreats at Fattoria dell’Autosufficienza, describes silence not merely as the absence of speech, but as a state that requires creating specific conditions to emerge. He notes that while people often attempt to fill every moment with work, digital stimuli, or social interaction, true silence allows suppressed emotions and thoughts to surface.

Complementing this focus on internal quiet, the concept of discernment is highlighted as a vital skill for civil coexistence. Drawing on the work of the late Italian monk and essayist Enzo Bianchi, discernment is framed as the essential ability to judge between good and evil amidst a society dominated by continuous communication and imagery.