Book excerpt: Silencio: The Inner Journey is a book that challenges our traditional understanding of prayer as merely a conversation with God that uses words. The author delves into the concept of prayerfulness, a form of prayer that goes beyond words and instead seeks to commune with God in the heart. The book draws from personal experiences and the teachings of the Bible and the desert fathers, exploring the difference between prayers and prayerfulness, and how both forms of prayer cultivate intimacy with God in different ways. The author highlights the importance of cultivating awareness and practising the skill of stillness of mind to achieve the inner calm that so many of us seek in our frenzied lives. This book is a must-read for anyone looking to deepen their relationship with God and explore the vast potential of contemplative prayer.