In the Garden of the Soul

The Jerusalem Community Rule of life states that "One single word expresses the place where the whole quest for holiness converges: your heart..."  It goes on to state that in the heart "the Eternal meets with time; where an immortal truth was inscribed...before the world was created..." We tend to think of our heart as the seat of emotion. This Rule suggests it is rather a garden, not unlike the Garden of Eden, where we can meet, walk and talk with the Eternal. An awesome concept, considering we often look for God outside of ourselves.


The mystics knew of this presence of God within, drawing heavily from this fountain. But we need to remember that every baptized Christian is called to mysticism. Jean-Claude Baneau writes that "mysticism is as necessary to humanity as science, if not more so…For mysticism is an existential attitude, a way of living at a greater depth.” (Preface to Clément’s book, The Roots of Christian Mysticism). Why, then, the scarcity of mystics? Because we look at mysticism as something esoteric, something “synonymous with spiritual illusions in fevered souls of sentimental spirituality, emotional, subject to ecstasies, visions, revelations…”(From Ildegarde Sutto “Contemplative Experience in Cassian and in the Rule of Benedict from the American Benedictine Review, 54:2). True mysticism is attainable, because it is "the fruit of the action of the Holy Spirit, which enables us to have a relationship with God or with the divine world that is not logical or rational, but simple, affective, intuitive and unitive…” (Sutto).

To return to the Jerusalem Community Rule: “let the word of God penetrate you as deep as the division of soul and spirit…Then all secrets will lie open before you in a way you could never have dreamed. There in your inmost center the Spirit will scrutinize all, even the depths of God’s nature!” To obtain such inspiration we need to teach ourselves the benefits of silence, sitting before God with a stillness of mind and openness of heart. The stance of the soul sincerely seeking God!

The Journey

Serious individuals know that life is a journey. Most self-help books will offer you advice on good attitudes, positions, and guidelines for the journey. But for a Christian, life’s journey is only one part of the equation; the journey is only a means to the destination. To attempt a journey without a solid destination is to wander about without a compass. And if your destination is vague and nondescript, then your journey will be confusing, and over time you will become disillusioned.


A Christian’s journey is directed toward heaven, the home of pure light, God. We are attracted by the light because it informs and encourages us. When the light is hidden, we know that that is part of our journey, and we only increase our desires and our efforts. Our goal will lead to perfect fulfillment.

How does this destination make our journey different? For one, we know that here we do not have a lasting city, and that our hearts will not be totally filled with any of the joys or pleasures we can find here on earth because they are meant for God (Augustian’s concept). So we understand the difficulties (and even expect them) as part of the journey. Knowing the destination heightens our anticipation, and actually gives us courage along the way. Who has not experienced the joy inherent in the struggle when the known end result is transformation? Think of the dieter, the athlete, the student. All endure because they know if they do, they will emerge a “new person.”

The same applies to the Christian, and even more, to the monastic. It’s not enough to believe. It’s part and parcel of the Christian life to follow “the way” toward something, or rather, someone. Knowing the destination propels us forward toward transformation. We see the journey in a totally different light because it is passing. Our goal isn’t the perfection of our journey, but learning the guideposts and finding the way destined for us. By so living, we can achieve the fulfillment of our purpose here on earth.

Inner Spirit

Audré Louf writes “There are books which only transmit a patiently acquired and judiciously expressed knowledge. On the contrary, others well up from within, flowing as from an inner source. Born of an experience with which they still resonate, they tend to communicate this experience as if by vibrations, by a secret connivance.”  If you want to travel deeply into the spirit, and reap the greatest benefits from spiritual reading, you need to develop an atmosphere of contemplation. First needed is the ability to be still and listen. We tend to use prayer for asking...for questioning...for adoration. These are good. But not enough. To be able to sit before God in silence and open the heart to His inspirations...this is the essense of contemplation. It's the experience of Elijah, who waited to hear the voice of God on the mountain side. 1 Kings 19 tells us "A strong and heavy wind was rending the mountains and crashing rocks before the LORD--but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake--but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake there was a fire--but the Lord was not in the fire. After the fire there was a tiny whispering sound."  And God's voice was in the whisper. The incident demonstrates how God reveals Himself not so much in the highlights or dramatic elements of our life, but in the quiet silence of reflection. That's because silence helps us learn about God, and opens our hearts to His words. By sitting before God in silence and stillness...we give ourselves the best possible gift. That of opening our heart to God, so that He may fill it.

The truth about Community Life

Living in a monastic community brings both companionship and solitude. It's a perfect combination, and probably the only one of its kind. Private time allows one to do lectio divina, meditation, and your own work. Community time together brings companionship, support, and wonderful times together. Imagine living with people whose core beliefs are similar to your own. Imagine conversation on issues where you are free to express your opinions freely and let your opinions be influenced by others insights. The experience is unique, bringing much joy and peace.

Penthos

Penthos is a forgotten virtue in our day. Yet the Fathers and Mothers in the desert insisted that unless you had it, you were not on "the way". "If anyone does not destroy the passions of the soul with the fire of tears, he will never be able to acquire charity, which is the fullness of the law" says an author of the life of Saint Theognos. Why do we not hear about this? Our devotions tend to be clean and sanitized. Emotions are actually discouraged. Yet, early Christians felt emotions were part of the human condition, and should be directed toward the spiritual!