Ravadi (pronounced like “remedy” but with a “v” in place of “m”) Quinn has been on a spiritual journey for her entire life. This journey took her from her birth country, Thailand, to a Catholic School in Australia as an elementary teacher, back to Thailand, where she became the governess — and later the wife — of an American man, then to the United States and to Richland where she and her sister opened the Emerald of Siam Thai Restaurant. 

For over thirty years, she’s welcomed all to her restaurant, her kindness and spirit making our community a better place. Her children, Dara and Billy, have continued Ravadi’s legacy, transforming the Emerald into a music venue and keeping it safe for everyone.

Ravadi returned to Thailand just before the COVID-19 pandemic, and could not travel back home to Richland. She took that opportunity to continue her study of the Spiritual Masters and to spend time in quiet meditation. Influenced by the writings and teachings of Christ, the 13th-century Persian poet Rumi, Buddha, and the guru Sri Nisragadatta Maharaj, Ravadi began writing poetry to reflect what she discovered through her meditation. The result is The Voice of Silence, a collection of eighty-four poems exploring themes of humanity, love, and our place in the universe.

Reading her poetry was like traveling on my own journey of self-reflection. I sat down for a long conversation with Ravadi about her life, poetry, and philosophy reflected in her writing. Although we had only briefly met before, it was a fascinating and intimate conversation.

The Voice of Silence begins with a poem about being ready for learning through silence and ends with a poem about how the stillness of silence allows us to see beauty through love, feel happiness, and become whole.

I asked Ravadi to read one of her poems, “All About Love,” to me. (The poem is reprinted on this page.) As she read each line, she paused to share and explain the meaning behind the words. Her years of study and reflection were apparent as she spoke about her writing. We continued to talk about her poetry as I asked her about connections among the poems in the book.

As we talked about her studies of Spiritual Masters, she quoted a line from Rumi that I’ve been thinking about ever since. Rumi wrote, “You are not a drop in the ocean, you are the ocean in a drop.”  We are but a speck in the vastness of the universe, and yet the universe exists inside each of us.

Ravadi writes about how we can discover Divine Grace through the stillness of silence. The Voice of Silence can be read easily in one sitting or poem by poem, taking time in silent meditation to discover the meaning behind the words as you travel on your own journey. Her life — full of love, kindness, and a love for others that has been returned to her many times over — seems like an example of karma.

Ravadi Quinn wants to return some of the blessings she has received from her community by giving a copy of The Voice of Silence to anyone without cost. Just stop by the Emerald of Siam and ask, or have a copy mailed to you for the postage cost (about $2). 

If you’re fortunate, Ravadi Quinn may be available for a conversation about love and spirituality.

All About Love

Human love is love of ownership.
Divine love is love of total freedom.

Human love is love of desire of happiness for oneself.
Divine love is love of seeing others’ happiness.

Human love has a price tag.
Divine love is priceless.

Human love is measured by attitude.
Divine love is measured by virtue.

Human love is guided by human intelligence.
Divine love is guided by Insight Wisdom.

Human love learns how to survive.
Divine love is living with Divine Grace.

Ted Miller grew up around the world but now lives in Richland with his wife. He’s a runner, actor, singer, nuclear engineer, and graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy.
Ted believes that if more people worked toward love and understanding instead of giving in to fear and divisiveness, the world would be a better place. justicepeacelove.com