time management with the monks

This is a beautiful, inspiring piece of writing. So many phrases filled with song and poetry. I don't know if this will sound mad, but your writing reached the part of me that musicals do; it sang and danced today.

I nearly cried when I read the part about choosing email over meditation. I headed straight to my computer today when my heart was really craving some spiritual house-cleaning and a rest.

Thank you, Danielle. I'm we've 'met'. I look forward to reading the next part.

So glad you are having this wonderful, enlightening experience. Monasteries have so often been a safe haven for me, both male and female communities. (Communities of contemplative nuns are also called "monasteries", and historically the word "convent" could also apply to monks and the two terms were interchangeable. I guess this is probably more information than you want - sorry, I tend to run on about this...)

You're right to keep your awareness about you when dealing with the psalms - many of them are horrible. It helps me to remember they were written in a particular time, context and style, and many are beautiful. What I love about the Benedictine offices, including the psalms, is the sense of tradition and history behind them.

And of course Benedictine monasteries and schools were repositories of knowledge and learning throughout Europe in the Middle Ages. Benedictine life is all about the balance between study, work and prayer. Monastics are encouraged to be thoughtful, not leave their intelligence at the door.

Looking forward to the next instalment of your adventures!

I did cry. And I remembered how stirring and peaceful it is to connect with the divine. I have felt, at times, that nothing is more important. And then I let it go.
I miss the Divine when I don't connect. Thank you for the inspiration.

Welcome back D! This was another one of those pieces that pierced my heart over morning coffee. Your reminders pack the punch of an iron fist, with the tenderness of a velvet glove. Hope your quest in the desert was as restorative as it was inspiring. Can't wait to see what's coming next...
M
xo

Excellent, eloquent and engaging - thank you ... again
xxx
kvk

What amazing timing! I live alone, have no one to report to or to whom I must account for how I spend my day; I have a lovely balcony with a rocker and plants and birds and bees. But. Have been feeling the call to go on a retreat. Where? When? I have no idea but reading this makes me realize: I need to focus on this more. Thank you!

Lovely. Thank you for sharing.

So much here, Danielle. Let me begin by saying how uncanny a lot of what you've written is for me today. I don't believe in coincidences, so that should come as no surprise to me.

I've been wondering what it would be like to live a cloistered life lately, to spend my day in an environment that fosters Inner Peace (my personal version of your relationship with Hope), to stop and pray whenever the urge strikes me, to spend my time with less busy-ness. Cleaning is actually kind of meditative for me....hmmmm....

I do hold running conversations with my God and I check in with him on a regular basis. Perhaps it's similar to what the monks do.

I also did a little mental "ouch" when I recognized myself in your description of catching up with e-mails...blogs, etc. instead of devoting some time to meditation. I keep saying I want to do that. Why haven't I made it a priority? sigh

You may have noticed (I flatter myself) that I wrote something about my status on Facebook today about gathering my kickass angels around me. I think you may be one of those.

Blessings,
Carolynn

Thank you for such an inspiring entry. Reading about choosing email over meditation made my eyes water. I am moving away from that choice right now. Thanks for the reinforcements!
I have been reading your blog regularly now for months, and have recommended it to several friends. Thanks for sharing yourself and the wisdom you find so fully with the world!

Wow. What an amazing experience, and beautiful account. Excited to see what's next!
This talk of the divine, along with the conversations yesterday about craft and art, is touching something rather hearty (pun fully intended) that's been dislodged recently. My mind and body and soul are swirling, mixing and trying new poses. I think some meditation will help give them room. Thanks!

The walls echo vibrations of song, prayer and divine inspiration in the monasteries. The experience is transcendent and humbling, a reminder of our small, fluid presence in the universe. I always visit a church, synagogue, monastery, temple...where ever I travel. You are immediately surrounded by the soul of a society and plug into the "place".

I loved reading about your experience...happy for you especially after the guru let down that you wrote about.

Its funny- I too have been pondering the benefit of a silent/monastic retreat (although sounds like yours had lovely singing)..to be with myself....my life is so full with 4 kids and 2 jobs (and school is out by the way!)- I have to constantly remind myself to get quiet and grab the moment for ME..rather than let external pressures ( I apparently allow to dictate) steal it away. You said your relationship with hope is challenging at times? I feel like I have just discovered my primary character defect..its is (drum roll) R U M I N A T I O N...which tends to definitely interfere with HOPE! I like to while away my hours picking things apart and dwelling on them. I am working on that- and hope to take my own silence meditation getaway soon! Thank you for your always insightful words.

beautiful and inspiring post - can't wait til tomorrow morning! ;)

Danielle,
que magnifique! I don't speak French but the magnificence of this post, particularly the last paragraph makes me just crazy with delight. So so true and I find that attending to the Divine (the days that I do) really and truly benefits the work at hand. Keep on rocking out, it does make a difference to us.

When I was seven, two of the items on my "what I want to be when I grow up" list were nun and mother. I vaguely understood that I'd have to make a choice. ;)
Lately I've been shutting off the radio when I feel the urge to pray. You've inspired me to pull right off to the side of the road and give it my all.

Beautiful, and timely. I, too, have seen my priorities crashing up against each other recently. I love your words about putting them on the altar and synchronizing them with the soul. I had a cosmic kick in the ass a couple of weeks ago, bringing this home in a hard way (the priorities/synchronization thing). More time for yoga. Less time in traffic. More time for writing. Less time arguing with myself. More time for love. Less time for worry. More time for prayer...

Thank you, Sister Danielle of the WhiteHotTruth. What beautiful prayer. My current WhiteHotTruth is that the Christian tool in my Box that tells me to love my enemies is not working and the Buddhist tool that tells me it doesn't help to have a sense of enemy is also not working. Do you and the Sisterhood think this is a patience problem and the above tools are just not fast enough? All thoughts welcome. Gratefully, Sister Trilby Scarlett of the Goodwill

I'm blessed to live close to several monasteries, most notably Gethsemane where Thomas Merton served, and be able to visit some times over night. The bells, gardens and liturgy all move me, but I'm always struck by how calm I feel because the rooms are so bare. Nothing. An old school phone, no TV. HEAVEN.

I long ago bookmarked Christ in the Desert to combine with a trip to the Eartship station (I'm not crazy, folks! Look it up and watch Garbage Warrior on DVD while you are at it). Haven't made it...YET!

Great post. I've been feasting on the blog this morning.

I SO understand this post!! I found your blog just tonight, and love it! I posted about this very subject a few days ago! I live a mile or so from an Abbey with monks, and a mile or so in the other direction is the Monastery with sisters. I love them both! They are Benedictine as well, and they and their Holy places are amazing here! I LOVE LOVE your thoughts and attitude!! Hugs!

Lovely! Care of the soul and care of the body--nice blend.
My best trip was the one I just returned from, three weeks in Spain, which I wrote about in a little travelogue:
http://meindabindi.wordpress.com/
My trip was also a good blend of hi-lo,divine-profane.
xxx