Comments on: Benedict’s Prologue

By: Sue

Sue — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 14:04:10 +0000

Yes, they are the kind of punches I like giving, too Synchronous moments are my favourite blogging moments, I think.

We were talking today about women. About how incredibly powerful women are. About how we are taught to subdue our power – often by men who are very scared of that power. And I think it’s true. I think I am scared of how powerful I am. Isn’t that a weird headspace? I thnk I might have to blog about it

By: Tess

Tess — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 13:24:28 +0000

Sue, so pleased to be able to punch you!! No, really, I find these synchronous moments fantastic. And how we have it ingrained in us that we can’t be creative!

By: Sue

Sue — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 12:54:50 +0000

Wow. You know, as I read the start of this post, there is a rerun on the teev about a group of young blokes to enter a Benedictine monastery in a reality TV thing. And as I read your post, and read the word “Listen”, a couple of beats afterwards one of the monks talking to one of his new disciples said the word,”Listen” several times. Okay! I’m listening!! LOL

At the end of your post, I got punched in hte solar plexus. “Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure” – goodness. I just discussed this thing at my art therapy today. How terrified I am of my creativity. How I run away from it. I suspect some of that is for this very reason but it has been suppressed for so long that I am walking around a bit bewildered in the thought. But thank you for the solar plexus punch, a reminder that indeed I need to listen inwardly, to myself, to God, to see what there is to be thought about this strange new happening going on in my consciousness.

I love it when these synchronous moments happen. Thanks, Tess

By: Tess

Tess — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 19:06:59 +0000

Barbara, thank you so much for this perspective, which has given me a good moment of realisation. I hadn’t realised until just now how much the urgency seems in some ways to go against the more reflective life I am trying to lead. That question of balance again.

By: Barbara

Barbara — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 17:16:11 +0000

As you may be aware, I, too, find great wisdom in the Rule of Benedict. And I, too, have found that the Prologue has a distinct masculine flavour — especially all the references to running, probably derived from St. Paul. Yet it is these very verses that cry out to me at this time of my life: while there is still time, while we are in this body and have time to accomplish all these things by the light of life — we must run and do now what will profit us forever. The criticalness of the now grates against the time-spaciousness of my life at this moment. I need to listen and listen hard, as Benedict advises.

By: Tess

Tess — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 09:44:48 +0000

Thanks ‘Jerry’!

By: lucy

lucy — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 00:34:29 +0000

“‘Listen…’. A word almost complete unto itself.” your post would have been complete with that emphasis alone. how beautiful though to see the bookends of this and williamson’s beautiful words about letting our light shine.

thank you for this lovely reminder. i needed it today (especially when the natural light has been absent.)

(i feel a little like the scene in “jerry maquire”…you had me at hello (listen)

By: Tess

Tess — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 19:19:52 +0000

@Blisschick: I love this sort of synchronicity! Just read your excellent post and I’m going to have to go back for a second reading tomorrow morning over coffee when I’ll have some more focused time.
@Christine: Thank you. I love this connection between us.
@Elaine: wishing you joy in your discerning.
@ER: your comment reminds me of my very first visit to Turvey Abbey, which was for an icon painting weekend. The Transfiguration was one of the images upon which we meditated. Hmmm, I know well the din of my own thinking. An image I like is of one’s thoughts as a fast-flowing river – the top is turbulent and choppy but if we let ourselves sink we will come to calmer water and be able to hear. (Of course I haven’t quite worked the kinks of not being able to breath under water out of that analogy, but still…)

By: Endlessly Restless

Endlessly Restless — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 18:39:40 +0000

Tess -thanks for this. Recently I’ve been cogitating about the Transfiguration and the words of God “This is my son – listen to him!” Despite our rhetoric, it’s something that we’re not very good at.

But how do I hear Jesus above the din of my own thinking?

By: Elaine

Elaine — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 11:34:19 +0000

Hi Tess. I’m reading your thoughtful post at 4:30 am my time! I think the heavy rainfall woke me. Perhaps this is the best time for me to listen. Thank you for this.

I just now felt raindrops streaming down my cheeks. I think your words about discerning our gifts has struck a chord deep in my heart and soul.