Bbc Series: The Monastery

[Antigonos]

You rock, Antigonos :)

 

Well, you see, there are several aspects in particular that interest me.  One, of course, is that Jews do not have the option of retiring "from the world" in order to improve their spiritual lives.  The entire framework of Jewish Law ["halacha", which literally means "the way of walking"] is to make one's entire existence in THIS world a spiritual experience, in much the same way that a Christian religious follows a Holy Rule as an aid to spirituality.  It would interest me to see it "from the other side", as it were.

 

The other would be rather obviously to experience the silence and see whether it would be conducive to what we call "heshbon nefesh".  This is a Hebrew term that literally means "accounting of the soul", or taking stock of oneself.  I would love a period without distraction; I'd bring with me several volumes of Talmud, and some other classic Jewish works on spirituality, and do my own form of "lectio divina" :-)

[krissylou]

Well, you see, there are several aspects in particular that interest me.  One, of course, is that Jews do not have the option of retiring "from the world" in order to improve their spiritual lives.  The entire framework of Jewish Law ["halacha", which literally means "the way of walking"] is to make one's entire existence in THIS world a spiritual experience, in much the same way that a Christian religious follows a Holy Rule as an aid to spirituality.  It would interest me to see it "from the other side", as it were.

 

The other would be rather obviously to experience the silence and see whether it would be conducive to what we call "heshbon nefesh".  This is a Hebrew term that literally means "accounting of the soul", or taking stock of oneself.  I would love a period without distraction; I'd bring with me several volumes of Talmud, and some other classic Jewish works on spirituality, and do my own form of "lectio divina" :-)

 

I could imagine a Trappist (OCSO) monastery being very conducive to this.  Every house is different of course but as a general rule Trappists tend to be interested in interfaith work.

 

Staying within the cloister probably wouldn't be possible, but many (most?  nearly all?) will have a guest house and it could be quite possible to spend some time in the guest house, go to the chapel for prayers (chant along with the Psalms, go silent for the Salve Regina, I'm guessing.  :) ) and follow their schedule of life for a while.

 

Just brainstorming.

[Antigonos]

Well, it is at best highly theoretical, since I have a husband, three adult children, and for two of them, their spouses, as well as one and a half grandchildren to take care of <g>, not to mention a garden, and Israel is rather far away from the sort of "advanced" convents and/or monasteries who would offer the kind of experience seen on the BBC programs.

 

Nunsense did note that the Benedictine monastery in [IIRC] Washington state where she did a live-in had retreat cabins and at least one Jewish lady came there periodically.  But I don't believe she participated in the life of the community in the way the visitors to "The Monastery" and "The Convent" did.

 

Ah well, a nice fantasy...

[brandelynmarie]

That's a perfect quote to go with this discussion, ChristinaTherese!!!   And SO apt when thinking of the issues between Anthoney and Gary...

 

BrandelynMarie, did you have 'Tony' and 'Peter' switched?  When you mentioned the guy who changed so much I think maybe you meant Tony -- he was the blonde  one.... Peter is the older guy with the beard.

 

Here's a picture of the men... might help all of us in our discussion!

(From left) Anthoney, Tony, Nick, Gary and Peter
lived alongside the monks at Worth Abbey 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Omgoodness! I DID mix them up! My apologies :blush:

Edited December 7, 2013 by brandelynmarie

[brandelynmarie]

Well, it is at best highly theoretical, since I have a husband, three adult children, and for two of them, their spouses, as well as one and a half grandchildren to take care of <g>, not to mention a garden, and Israel is rather far away from the sort of "advanced" convents and/or monasteries who would offer the kind of experience seen on the BBC programs.

 

Nunsense did note that the Benedictine monastery in [IIRC] Washington state where she did a live-in had retreat cabins and at least one Jewish lady came there periodically.  But I don't believe she participated in the life of the community in the way the visitors to "The Monastery" and "The Convent" did.

 

Ah well, a nice fantasy...

 

I think any Benedictine monastery worth its salt would let you make a private retreat. :) You could attend the Offices & only help chant the Psalms...the one I have visited here in the US is very welcoming & accommodating of a person's personal beliefs. I think you would love it :)

[NatalieisCatholic]

Thank you for sharing the series! I watched it all today and I thought it was pretty great. It was really moving to see their transformations! Now if only everyone could have the chance to visit a monastery!  :proud:

[Starets]

Well, it is at best highly theoretical, since I have a husband, three adult children, and for two of them, their spouses, as well as one and a half grandchildren to take care of <g>, not to mention a garden, and Israel is rather far away from the sort of "advanced" convents and/or monasteries who would offer the kind of experience seen on the BBC programs.

 

Nunsense did note that the Benedictine monastery in [IIRC] Washington state where she did a live-in had retreat cabins and at least one Jewish lady came there periodically.  But I don't believe she participated in the life of the community in the way the visitors to "The Monastery" and "The Convent" did.

 

Ah well, a nice fantasy...

 

There is the Olivetan Benedictine monastery of Abu Ghosh in the twon of the same name:
http://www.abbaye-abugosh.info/  (Website in French)

Since I do not read French I have no idea if they have a guesthouse of any sort, but a guesthouse is standard with Benedictine monasteries.
 

[EmilyAnn]

I've just finished watching the whole series. It's fascinating how for a group of mostly non-believers monastic life still had such a deep and profound impact on their life. Anyone who thinks monastic life is no longer relevant should watch this! I thought it showed the value of monastic life very well and showed the monks as well in a very human and relatable way. 

 

I found it interesting that a Northern Irish Protestant chose to spend time in a Roman Catholic monastery...especially one who had been in The Troubles, so his journey was fascinating to watch. I sympathised greatly with Tony's struggle early on of "if you're there God speak to me! Do something! Prove it!", and later of how to take what he had learnt back to his life. The longing for God was there in his heart I think more deeply than it was for the others, and his moment of 'conversion' with Brother Francis was very touching. Nick's struggle with vocation and being called to the priesthood was also interesting to see, the monastery experience seemed to really bring those feelings out for him. The bickering that went on was very interesting to watch, it is very true that in the silence of monastic life you can see parts of yourself that you don't necessarily want to take a look at. 

 

I've heard of Parkminster before but never really paid attention to just how silent and alone their life is. That is definitely a very unique and very difficult call. As much as I loved the Great Silence, that much silence and aloneness would be too much for me. 

 

But watching the series has really made me reflect and think about my own monastic experience...

[AnneLine]

EmilyAnn!  I'm glad you watched the videos and enjoyed them!!!

 

 

I've just finished watching the whole series. It's fascinating how for a group of mostly non-believers monastic life still had such a deep and profound impact on their life. Anyone who thinks monastic life is no longer relevant should watch this! I thought it showed the value of monastic life very well and showed the monks as well in a very human and relatable way. 

 

I COMPLETELY agree, EmilyAnn.  In fact, I had my Secular Novices and Temp Professeds watch the videos AND we used the Finding Sanctuary book as a book in our formation class... because I wanted them to think about what it meant for them AS lay people to be utilizing insights from monastic life in their OWN lives... and also for ideas on how to share our charism with friends, families, coworkers, etc.   It's not about preaching or shoving stuff down people... it's about luring them the way God lures us.... At least in my opinion....

 

I found it interesting that a Northern Irish Protestant chose to spend time in a Roman Catholic monastery...especially one who had been in The Troubles, so his journey was fascinating to watch.

 

YES!!!! I thought I was the only one who reacted that way --- told me a lot about Gary that he was open to setting foot in a Catholic monastery, with his Protestant Militia AND heavy-duty Protestant background in general.  Generally there is NOT much love lost between the Protestants and Catholics in that part of the world... but what a great example of ecumenism....    ESPECIALLY as he felt he had been unjustly imprisoned for allegedly bombing a Catholic home.  Must have taken a great openness to the Spirit....

 

 

I sympathised greatly with Tony's struggle early on of "if you're there God speak to me! Do something! Prove it!", and later of how to take what he had learnt back to his life. The longing for God was there in his heart I think more deeply than it was for the others, and his moment of 'conversion' with Brother Francis was very touching.

 

Yes.  AND... I think that kind of a fervent, no-holds-barred DEMAND to God is very interesting to God.... and God responded.   Yup.

 

 

Nick's struggle with vocation and being called to the priesthood was also interesting to see, the monastery experience seemed to really bring those feelings out for him.

 

 

I have known Seculars who struggled with their vocations in exactly the same way..... PLEASE GOD, give this to someone else.   But, sometimes God will NOT be put off... and I think Fr. Christopher and the whole monastic experience would NOT allow him to run away... Kind of like The Hound of Heaven.....

 

http://www.ewtn.com/library/HUMANITY/HNDHVN.HTM

 

Actually, several of the men fit the description of the soul chased by the Heavenly Hound....

 

The bickering that went on was very interesting to watch, it is very true that in the silence of monastic life you can see parts of yourself that you don't necessarily want to take a look at. 

 

Again, yup, yup, yup... and I have seen it happen in a convent as well.   And yes, it is more about what is going on inside oneself than the simple matter being discussed.... yup.

 

I've heard of Parkminster before but never really paid attention to just how silent and alone their life is. That is definitely a very unique and very difficult call. As much as I loved the Great Silence, that much silence and aloneness would be too much for me. 

 

Me too... I suspect for most of us.  One really needs to have the vocation... but then, that is true of ANY vocation, isn't it?

 

But watching the series has really made me reflect and think about my own monastic experience...

 

I would hope that would be true of all of us.  I know I spent 6 months as a postulant... and that time still stands out in my memory as one of the pivotal experiences in my spiritual and personal life...  And NONE of it is lost... God is the great recycler....

 

[AnneLine]

There is the Olivetan Benedictine monastery of Abu Ghosh in the twon of the same name:
http://www.abbaye-abugosh.info/  (Website in French)

Since I do not read French I have no idea if they have a guesthouse of any sort, but a guesthouse is standard with Benedictine monasteries.
 

 

I don't read much French, either, Staretz, but I know monasteries and monastic websites!   I used the really horrible Google Translate option to find this page -- and if my ability to read mangled, Googleized French is correct, they are ABSOLUTELY open to discerners who are not Catholic - this is the page is about this -  'staying' at the monastery.

 

http://www.abbaye-abugosh.info/-Sejour-au-monastere-

 

Sounds like they are VERY open to what you seek, Antigonos.... and probably could do so for a few days or weeks if that is what would interest you.  See how you and your familiy would feel.   Would be fascinating to hear from you if you do this!

Edited December 11, 2013 by AnneLine

[AnneLine]

Thank you for sharing the series! I watched it all today and I thought it was pretty great. It was really moving to see their transformations! Now if only everyone could have the chance to visit a monastery!  :proud:

 

Did any of the scenes/men's experiences stand out for you?   

 

I was really struck by the way the abbot very gently yet firmly prodded Nick to look at how he was avoiding the decision about going on for ordination and/or really cultivating a relationship with God, for all his study ABOUT God and religion and monasticism.  I remember my mother at one point saying in reference to a radio interview with a guy who taught Theology or Religious Studies (not sure which) at a big university, "You know, it's odd, AnneLine, I swear he knows all ABOUT God, but doesnt' have a clue about having a RELATIONSHIP with God."  And I had to agree with her.

 

I was also really struck by the suggestion of Fr. Mark to Anthoney (the Black guy) that he apologize to Gary (the Irish Protestant guy) for blowing off what he had said. (it's in Part 9)  I was a little taken aback at first, because it did seem that Gary had been rude... but I saw what Fr. Mark was getting at... because.... by making that move towards reconciliation, by humbly admitting his OWN part in the situation, it allowed the two of them to get close enough for some real sharing and deepening... and some healing.

 

Sometimes, I think a lot of us on Phatmass could learn a lot from that.... myself first of all....

 

 

 

Did any sections of the video really talk to any of the rest of you?

[beatitude]

Antigonos, there are a few places in the Galilee where you could go to make a retreat. I don't know if that is too far for you, though. The Little Sisters of Jesus in the Old City also welcome visitors but it's obviously not tranquil there - the LSJs try to place themselves 'in the heart of the world', which could mean anything from their icon workshop on the Via Dolorosa to the night shift in a soap factory. It's very interesting to talk to them about meditation and mental prayer, perhaps because of this highly unusual dimension of their contemplative life. They have a lovely chapel if you're ever passing by.