We often read about people who go off for a few days or a few months to be in silence. I've done that and have written about it. I've tried to be grateful for these opportunities but I know that I've taken them for granted because so much of my life has been filled with blessing.
Right now I am off again for a few days of solitude. This time to the monastery of Saint John the Evangelist in Cambridge, a 45 minute drive from my home. This isn't my first time on a silent retreat at the monastery. I know the rule: silence.
I also know the routine for the guests. We have a single room-- our cell; we can attend services (the Daily Office) with the monks; we eat lunch and dinner in silence with them. We can walk along the Charles River, sit out in the guest garden, read in the public rooms, visit the Fogg Museum…. If we have tickets to a Red Sox game, we can cross the river to Fenway Park. The only rule, silence when on the monastery grounds.
Silence does not include writing and sharing on a blog. And so, here I sit, looking out my cell window, sharing the silence with you.
Right now I am off again for a few days of solitude. This time to the monastery of Saint John the Evangelist in Cambridge, a 45 minute drive from my home. This isn't my first time on a silent retreat at the monastery. I know the rule: silence.
I also know the routine for the guests. We have a single room-- our cell; we can attend services (the Daily Office) with the monks; we eat lunch and dinner in silence with them. We can walk along the Charles River, sit out in the guest garden, read in the public rooms, visit the Fogg Museum…. If we have tickets to a Red Sox game, we can cross the river to Fenway Park. The only rule, silence when on the monastery grounds.
Silence does not include writing and sharing on a blog. And so, here I sit, looking out my cell window, sharing the silence with you.