The Dallas Willard Podcast

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69. Solitude and Silence and the Tongue (1981)

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Feb 9, 2026

Guest

Dallas Willard

Dallas Willard, philosopher and Christian writer known for spiritual formation, delivers a long-form lecture. He explores solitude and silence as spiritual practices. He links fasting, prayer, and bodily experience to growth. He discusses watching, waiting, restraint of speech, and learning disciplines gradually.

58:05

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INSIGHT

Fasting as Spiritual Nourishment

Fasting can become nourishment by learning to live on the Word of God rather than mere food.
Dallas Willard argues fasting trains the soul to be satisfied by God's speaking, not by physical meals.

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ADVICE

Try Prayer And Fasting First

When you face spiritual difficulties, try prayer and fasting as preparation and training.
Dallas Willard recommends experimenting with prayer and fasting to grow in the Spirit and gain capability.

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INSIGHT

Fasting In Christian History

Historical peaks of Christian spiritual life often coincide with regular fasting practices.
Willard notes fasting appears in the testimony of those who set high watermarks in Christian experience.

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Purpose of Spiritual Disciplines

01:51 • 2min

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The Inner Twist of the Human Self

04:09 • 1min

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Body, Emotions, and Biblical Psychology

05:34 • 4min

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The Body as Temple and Spiritual Formation

09:27 • 3min

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Fasting as Soul Nourishment

12:09 • 2min

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Jesus' Teaching on Fasting

14:17 • 4min

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When Prayer and Fasting Are Required

18:36 • 6min

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Learning Spiritual Capacity Over Time

24:35 • 2min

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Faith, Failure, and Teacherly Correction

26:32 • 1min

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Experimentation with Prayer and Fasting

27:50 • 2min

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Historical Witness to Fasting's Fruitfulness

30:13 • 1min

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Practical Wisdom on Fasting and Action

31:28 • 3min

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Solitude as Spiritual Fasting

34:00 • 3min

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Jesus' Practice of Solitude

37:26 • 4min

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Growing into Spiritual Disciplines

41:01 • 4min

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Being With Jesus: The Disciples' Primary Role

44:36 • 2min

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Aloneness vs. Solitude Before God

46:36 • 2min

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Silence, Watching, and Waiting

48:23 • 3min

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Silence, Noise Addiction, and Self-Facing

51:05 • 3min

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Speech, Responsibility, and Restraint

54:31 • 2min

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Preview: The Tongue and Silence Continued

John Wesley's Extract of The Christian's Pattern

or A Treatise on The Imitation of Christ by Thomas a Kempis (The John Wesley Collection)

John Wesley

John Wesley's Extract of The Christian's Pattern is an edited version of Thomas à Kempis's "The Imitation of Christ". Wesley created this extract to make the book more accessible and relevant to his Methodist followers. The extract retains the core spiritual insights of the original while omitting elements Wesley found less pertinent or theologically problematic. Wesley’s version emphasizes practical piety, personal devotion, and the imitation of Christ in daily life. It encourages believers to seek holiness through prayer, self-examination, and acts of charity. This adaptation reflects Wesley's commitment to providing resources that promote spiritual growth and a deeper relationship with God.

#904

• Mentioned in 40 episodes

Celebration of discipline

the path to spiritual growth

Richard Foster

Celebration of Discipline explores the central spiritual practices of the Christian faith, dividing them into three categories: inward disciplines (meditation, prayer, fasting, and study), outward disciplines (simplicity, solitude, submission, and service), and corporate disciplines (confession, worship, guidance, and celebration). Foster argues that these disciplines are essential for spiritual growth and a balanced spiritual life. He provides practical insights and examples on how these disciplines can be integrated into daily life to bring about personal transformation and a deeper connection with God and others.

#1266

• Mentioned in 31 episodes

The Spirit of the Disciplines

Understanding How God Changes Lives

Dallas Willard

In 'The Spirit of the Disciplines', Dallas Willard argues that spiritual disciplines are essential for transforming Christians into the character of Christ. He contends that these disciplines, such as solitude, silence, fasting, and prayer, are concrete activities that make us more receptive to God's Kingdom. The book explores the theological foundation of these disciplines, their historical context, and their practical application in everyday life. Willard emphasizes that salvation is a process of transformation worked out through our physical bodies and that these disciplines are crucial for living a life that reflects Christ's teachings.

Solitude and Silence and the Tongue

February 4, 1981

Rolling Hills Covenant Church

This is session #4 of an 11-part series called “The Disciple, the Disciplines and the Triumphant Life.”

Tim, I’m working on recreating the handout. I think it’s just the list of session topics with the scriptures for study.

FOR FURTHER STUDY:

Celebration of Discipline (1978) by Richard Foster

John Wesley's Extract of The Christian's Pattern

The Spirit of the Disciplines (1988) by Dallas Willard

Visit https://DWillard.org for a wide variety of resources and opportunities that can serve as a means to help you “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”

Dallas Willard Ministries exists to proclaim, teach and manifest the love, truth and transforming power of Christ and the Kingdom of God. We invite you to partner with us by praying for our ministry team, praying for the students in the School of Kingdom Living, sharing your talents as a volunteer, or contributing financial gifts. Visit https://dwillard.org/donate if you’d like to help us increase the availability of Dallas’s teaching to help people become more like Jesus.

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The contents of this recording are © Willard Family Trust. Used by permission. For permission to reproduce any of this content, please contact Dallas Willard Publications at ...

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