“Quietness promotes healing.” I saw this statement on a poster in the main lobby of a hospital. Having recently served in a Christian Science nursing facility, I could embrace the request to limit unnecessary noise and chatter. After all, who doesn’t desire a bit of peace and quiet when feeling challenged mentally or physically?

The poster, which also included a yellow smiley face with a finger to its lips, was clearly asking for quiet in the physical area, especially when in the patients’ environs. Anything that promotes or contributes to a healing atmosphere is commendable. But I wondered, Is there more to this connection between quietness and healing than just a quiet physical environment?

I thought about how a Christian Science nurse is expected to bring more than a quiet voice or unobtrusive presence to the sickroom. They are required to bring a spiritual, mental quietness, which comes through a “demonstrable knowledge of Christian Science practice” (Mary Baker Eddy, Manual of The Mother Church, p. 49). Then this instruction from Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mrs. Eddy came to thought: “In the quiet sanctuary of earnest longings, we must deny sin and plead God’s allness” (p. 15).