Chrissy Chang, LTI’s Coordinator of Online Ministry, recently reflected on the significance of a “monastery of the soul” in our podcast conversation about Psalm 131. She talked about how having a calmed and quieted soul is like a weaned child in her mother’s comforting embrace. Such a beautiful picture offered to us by David, the psalmist.
It reminded me of an article I wrote several years ago for Conversations Journal entitled “Graced in Silence: Gifts from a Monastic Community.” The gifts of a monastic community are parallel to this idea of contentment, which leads to spaciousness in our soul.
The first gift a monastic community offers to me, as a guest in search of discovering a monastery for my own soul, is the presence of other hungry pilgrims who are also desirous of spiritual renewal. Ironically, we may enter this space alone, but are often accompanied by others who are longing for the same thing. We are bound together in unspoken yet deeply authentic love.
The second gift is silence and solitude, discovering in the quiet the gift of stillness and the opportunity to surrender our lives into the hands of a gracious and loving God. We experience silence and solitude within the community and although we don’t talk with one another, we experience the mysterious presence of the Spirit. A treasured privilege to savor.
The third gift generously offered is life-transforming prayer. As Jesus instructed and exemplified in his earthly ministry life, so too are we invited to step away from the fray and commune with God on a regular basis. Prayer is two-way conversation with Almighty God. In the stillness of my soul, I can listen more intently to the voice of God, rather than doing all the talking.
The fourth gift from a monastic community is spiritual guidance, offered by a trained spiritual director. I’ve come to believe that every leader needs a spiritual companion, someone who’s trained in the ministry of actively reflective listening. Our souls crave connection with God and spiritual mentors, directors, and friends help us notice the movements of God in our daily lives.
Finally, the fifth gift is the freedom to reflect on the true state of my soul in the safety net of a place filled with grace. It is here where I pause long enough to recognize my current attachments (such as pride, selfishness, worldly possessions, and success in the eyes of others), and lovingly relinquish them. Here I’m able to reaffirm my affection for God and reposition my life back to the priorities of God.
At LTI we firmly believe that when we slow down we become so much more…more loving, prayerful, content, gracious, generous…and thereby cultivate the inner monastery of our soul.
Slow down. Be more. Attend to the monastery of your own soul, and lovingly care for the souls of those you serve.
