I Shall Take This As A Challenge

'We were led to the assembly room, where the sisters gather for an hour after dinner, and about two hours in the evening, meeting socially for what they call their 'recreation.' Then they busy themselves with knitting or plain sewing, or with any fancy-work or embroidery they may have to do... much pleasant chat goes on, and a harmless joke pleases every one. 

'Even here, there are many reminders that a higher purpose is always to be kept in view. One of these is a written scroll of paper attached to the wall, near the fireplace, and called the 'Challenge....' to give special attention to some particular virtue - patience, humility, gentleness, cheerfulness - whichever it may be that is specified on the scroll. Briefly, it is a quiet appeal to them, putting them on their mettle or their honor and conscience, to make an additional effort to excel in that virtue. There is a challenge for Advent, for Christmas, for Epiphany, for Lent, for Easter, for Pentecost. ...

'Now it may seem, to those who are wholly unaccustomed to such methods of thought and action, that this ever present watchfulness of self, and this constant endeavor to rise to the higher plane even while engaged in amusement or social converse, must become intolerably monotonous and a frightful strain. But, on the contrary, this conventual system of mingled self-examination and unselfish activity results in the greatest buoyancy of spirits, and in a healthy, happy life....' (A Story of Courage, George Parsons Lathrop and Rose Hawthorne Lathrop, original publication date: 1894)

This post is part of our series 'A Story of Courage.' To continue in chronological order, click this line.

Birds and Poems and Cloistered Sledding

Today I sit inside a snowglobe. I'd love to grab woolen mittens and a wooden sled and spend the day sliding until my face freezes and my hair cakes with ice.

Ah... but for me, such activity is no longer possible. For a "not so young woman," attempting anything of the kind would be throwing not only caution, but also sanity, to the wind.

I can, however, toss aside any of my previous posting plans, and invite you to share a few spontaneous minutes of "virtual cloistered sledding."

We can then spend a little time contemplating God's seasonal gifts.

What do you say?  Let's click "Winter Birds (and Nuns too)" to see what cloister gardens (and recreations!) are like at this time of year.

And to settle back in contemplation of God's world, we can click on
"A Winter's Serenade"  
and 
"Winter Poem of Mystical Death and Divine Rebirth"

And we can enjoy!

Paintingt: Adolf_Kaufmann

Photo © 2015 N Shuman

Our Lighter Side

When monks or nuns gather for recreation, are their conversations exactly like those of people "in the world?"

I doubt it.  Monastics are pursuing the common goal of living totally for God.  I cannot imagine them having to work too hard to keep their talk from drifting toward immoral or mean spirited topics, because their minds are not centered on such things. 
 
It is different, isn't it, out here in "the world?"  Conversations we encounter often meander into less than Godly territory.  In can be tough not to find ourselves swept along, like a piece of driftwood bobbing in a muddy river. 

I have reflected upon possible differences between the chatter of a monastic recreation and the talk engaged in by, say, co-workers gathered for lunch.

In a group of individuals who are bent upon serving God with every attitude and word, are we likely to hear, for instance:

Gossip?    

Complaints?
Whining?

Suggestive humor?
Language laced with "4 letter words?"
Using the Name of the Lord in vain?
Prayer requests that include sordid details?  
Mocking people, whether those persons are present in the gathering or not?   
Criticism of one another?  
Boasting?
Snapping at others?
Putting others down? 

It is something to think about.  Is it okay to have fun?  Sure.  

May we laugh?  Oh, I hope so!  Or I am personally in big trouble.

But there are ways, and there are ways.  

While I cannot change the conversations of those around me, I can choose how I personally participate.  

For me, thinking of nuns at Recreation helps me keep watch on my ways.





To continue with a look into 'recreation,' click this line

Photos in this post in US public domain

The Lighter Side

“From silly devotions and sour-faced saints, good Lord, deliver us.” (attributed to St. Teresa of Avila)

In his book The Holy Rule, Dom Hubert Van Zeller speaks of the importance of recreation for a monastic community. "The dispensation from the normal state of silence was originally granted to monks not because silence was found to be a bore but because recreation was found to be a good.  By mixing with one another and enjoying one another's conversation, monks came to have a better understanding of the family life, of the mystical body..." (Van Zeller, The Holy Rule, Sheed and Ward, NY, 1958, pp. 239-240)

Does this have anything at all to do with those of us who live in the world?  After all: "out here," recreation can consume our lives before we realize such a thing is happening.  Does that mean we dare not laugh, play, enjoy our families, visit our friends?  Of course not.

This is something we'll look into in our next post.

In the meantime, the following links might open for us just a little window into the lighter side of cloistered life....

The Great Pumpkin Adventure

Christmas pictures (whatever the season, these hats are worth seeing!)

"What would happen if we hid what little sense of humor we had? Let each of us humbly use this to cheer others."  (St. Teresa of Avila)

Painting:  Alessandro Sani, In der Klosterbibliothek

Photo of nuns in public domain 

To continue with a look into 'recreation,' click this line

To Speak, to Serve

Afternoon recreation often finds nuns or monks strolling in their cloister gardens, soaking in the fresh air and sunshine.  They generally engage in conversation as well.

In his book The Holy Rule, Dom Hubert Van Zeller speaks of the importance of community recreation.  "The dispensation from the normal state of silence was originally granted to monks not because silence was found to be a bore but because recreation was found to be a good.  By mixing with one another and enjoying one another's conversation, monks came to have a better understanding of the family life, of the mystical body, of humanity supernaturalized...... The monk who absents himself from occasions of association with his brethren is withdrawing from a primary monastic influence; he is withdrawing from a unity, from the whole.  Given that he is present, moreover, the monk must make it his business to contribute to the purpose of this common recreation.  He is not a passenger, he is not there to be entertained merely.  He must serve - and serve in charity."  (Van Zeller, The Holy Rule, Sheed and Ward, NY, 1958, pp. 239-240)

Thinking of this tonight, I was struck by one significant difference between conversation in the monastery and conversation in the "world."  That is:  people living in a monastery are pursuing the common goal of living totally for God.  They speak with one another with a goal of "serving in charity."  Their talk does not drift toward idle, immoral topics because their minds are not centered on such things.  Their minds are on God.  Their actions are for God.  Every facet of the monastic jewel is cut to reflect the glory of God.

It is different, isn't it, out here in "the world?"  Conversations we encounter might easily drift toward less than Godly territory.  In can be tough not to find ourselves swept along, like a piece of driftwood bobbing in a muddy river.  In our pursuit of life lived for God, we can feel a bit, well....  lonely at times. 

It occurred to me (thinking of this) that we are blessed to know, as we check in here, that others are "here" with us.  Like nuns or monks praying and working and studying alongside one another in a monastery, we know we're not walking this path alone.  We are in various states and countries and continents, and the circumstances of our lives may differ widely... yet we have all chosen the same path.  We want to live for God.  

© 2012 Nancy Shuman.  All Rights Reserved.
thecloisteredheart.org      

To continue our next monastic day, click this line

Talk About Talk

As the Sisters' quiet evening at home continues, they gather for evening recreation.  It's time for some relaxed conversation.  

One of the Sisters might bring along a bit of embroidery she's doing to sell in their gift shop.  Another nun is busy with crochet.  Sometimes Mother has an interesting letter from one of their friends to share with everyone.  Occasionally there will be an announcement of some kind. 

Oh, and that reminds me.  I have an announcement of some kind.  

As our monastic day is now drawing toward its close, I want to "announce" that another day will follow right behind it.

 

It won't be exactly the same, of course.  For one thing, I think it will put more emphasis on bringing elements of monasticism out into our own worlds.  I think.  And I only "think" because I really don't know.  I am trusting God to lead this adventure, and I'm asking for your prayer that He will continue showing us what it means to live totally for Him in this world. 

But I digress.  I suppose that's okay in the middle of a family conversation, which is what evening recreation in a monastery generally is.  A family conversation.  A bit of chatter among friends.  Yes, talk during recreation is that.... but is it exactly like other conversations in the world?  

Hmm.  I suspect not.  Today I was considering some of the possible differences. 

In a gathering of individuals who are bent upon serving God with every attitude and word, are we likely to hear:  

 

Gossip?  
Complaints about ""my headache," "my ear"?
Comparisons between the cooking abilities of, say, Sister Martha and Sister Julia?
Prayer requests for others that include sordid details?  

Making fun of people, whether those persons are present in the gathering or not? 
Criticism of one another?
Snapping at one another?

And what about me, out here in the "world?"  The next time I'm in a gathering of family members/friends/neighbors/co-workers..... might I be influenced by thinking of how Sisters would speak to each other during their Recreations?

© 2012 Nancy Shuman.  All Rights Reserved.
thecloisteredheart.org      

Click here to end this "day" with a Monastic Goodnight

Free Time

Yes, those living the monastic life do have some time to themselves during the day (were we beginning to wonder?). There are moments when the nuns or monks can do what they please.  Of course, what they do in these moments will please God too, for their whole lifestyle is one of pleasing Him.  Pleasing God is the purpose of their lives.

Perhaps a nun will spend a few minutes in the garden, giving herself time to savor the glories of creation.  She may read a book, or catch up on personal correspondence.  She might even have a brief rest in her cell.  And if Sister nods off, there is no fear of oversleeping.  There will always be a bell.....

In our lives in the world, we have free time also.  Some of us, of course, have more of it than others.   But there are moments in each day when even the busiest among us may not be shuffling papers or cooking meals or sorting laundry.

I, for one, would like to form such a habit of pleasing God that no matter what I may be doing with my time, I can know that what I do is great with Him.  Whether I'm writing a letter, reading a book, talking on the phone, visiting a friend, seeing a movie, I want my lifestyle to be one of pleasing Him.

I want pleasing God to be the purpose of my life.

(Nancy Shuman photo)


Click here to continue reading "our monastic day"....

Recreation

Silence is the normal language of a monastic community.  That changes, however, during Recreation.

Afternoon Recreations may be indoors (especially during inclement weather), perhaps with most of the Community together.  Sometimes Sisters take strolls around the grounds, however, or engage in outdoor games, or relax in the garden and chat.  I knew of one cloistered nun who (I'm sorry to say!) broke a limb sledding down a "monastic hill" in the snow.  And if there is a lake or pond on the property, the photo on this post would not be an altogether surprising sight.

"To take the air," says St. Francis de Sales, "to walk, to entertain ourselves with cheerful and friendly conversation.... these are such innocent recreations that in a proper use of them there is need only of that common prudence which gives to everything its due order, time, place and measure." 


Click here to continue reading "Our Monastic Day"