Hear Our Silence: A Journey Into Prayer
by John Skinner
Blog written by a “Closet Would-Be” Carthusian Monk
The more I read of John Skinner’s book Hear Our Silence, the more silent monastic life seems to appeal; like a magnet gently but irresistibly drawing an object into its welcome grip. There’s just one major problem, which I am inclined to think is significant, I’m a woman, so remaining a “closet would-be” monk will for now, have to satisfy my inner yearnings.
For those of us who are feeling over-burdened by the demands of modern life, Skinner’s book offers an extraordinary insight into a mysterious hidden life and world. The Carthusian Order was founded over 900 years ago; members forgo their freedom, worldly comforts and pleasures, to dedicate their lives to prayer, silence and manual work. Their routine is only broken by a few hours of community time, weekly, when they are permitted to talk. Although to most of us it’s an existence that seems beyond belief, the monks find the life a wellspring from which they discover themselves, God, the beauty of the natural world, those living around them, and the purpose of life. Tempted?
One of words repeated several times, in a film that I recently saw about the Order, was “seduced” and indeed these men have been spiritually seduced so as to pursue the face of God. The use of that word certainly made me reflect on the who and what I am seduced by in life; not least getting caught up in the pursuit of more things and ticking off in my life places to go and people to see. Do these things or experiences bring me lasting happiness? Perhaps in the short term, but then come those moments of truth; normally during a sleepless long winter night.
Hear Our Silence is one of those rare books which has compelled me to stop, take stock and reflect on my lot. I want what these monks have and are discovering, and if ‘hearing our silence’ is the way to discover it, then adopting something of the Carthusian way of life; pausing daily for a moment of silent God-centred meditation, in the midst of my busy life, must be my enduring resolution for 2007.
For more on prayer and spirituality please see: www.life4seekers.co.uk/prayer
For information about monastic life and vocations please see: www.ukvocation.org
Book Extract
Hear Our Silence: A Journey Into Prayer, by John Skinner
Gracewing, 2003. ISBN: 0-85244-612-8 £9.99
‘ “One of the most beautiful definitions of a monk is that he is man of desire. This restlessness does not allow him to be content with what is created; the thirst for the absolute, this hunger for love, is the wellspring, the impetus for his search for God.”
(The Way of Silent Love, pg. 28)
This desire is born of a naive love of God, the response as it were, to take God for real and to allow him to dominate your life. The contemplative has first been touched by God, he has fallen for him. Think of ‘young love’ familiar to us in the world; two young people seen holding hands at a busy bus stop or arm in arm as they walk along the street. Their bodies need to touch… The same is true of the Carthusian. He has chosen to shut himself away in his solitude, a solitude he guards tenaciously, for his business is with God, and it will keep him a lifetime.'
Hear Our Silence: A Journey Into Prayer, page 18
Image: A Carthusian monk. Courtesy of Soda Pictures.
