Open Sanctuary at Tilba recently held a reflection day on the theme Ordinary People as Mystics and Monks with a particular emphasis on the Benedictine way of monasticism.

Traditionally, monks have lived within a cloister of some kind and mystics were considered a kind of spiritual elite. Today we recognise the experience of ordinary people and those who are drawn to live a monastic rhythm of life in the world, a monastery without walls. During the day we covered the essential precepts of the Benedictine way, the pattern of days lived in prayer and meditation, lectio divina (sacred reading) and work to sustain the community.

I am a Benedictine Oblate and I would suggest that the stability, stillness, silence and simplicity of monasticism could be a counter to the social and ecological crises of our times. Monks and mystics are generally contemplatives. Contemplation has been described as a ‘long, loving look at the real’. We reflected on what supports the contemplative stance in life. In a world distracted by so much unreality it seems important to pay attention, with love, to discern reality. I suggested that developing a monastic rhythm of days in our ordinary lives can help.

For more information about Open Sanctuary go to the Open Sanctuary Tilba website. If you’re interested you can also visit the ‘Bonnevaux Centre for
Peace’ website.

Linda Chapman

Photo: The lovely window at Open Sanctuary