At last Friday's Awakin Oakland circle, an African American brother joined us.  Sister Beatriz, who has been staying in Casa de Paz for the last couple of months, had befriended him earlier in the week.  After an hour of silence, we went around the circle to share our stories, when he said, "Just this week, I got out of jail after 20 years behind bars.  This circle is the first time I've felt true silence, not an imposed one. I feel very peaceful and safe here."  The power of silence knows no bounds.