Living deeply takes time

A scene in a recent class: We were having a rather interesting discussion the other day. As the discussion went on, I noticed that the whole group was quieting down and the conversation slowed down. Then . . . silence. Not the silence of comatose students or of students who had tuned out, but rather the kind of silence that accompanies deep reflection, almost like the silence of the monastic community after listening to a powerful reading at the Divine Office. It was obvious that the discussion had sparked something within. The last thing they needed was for me to reproach them for not continuing the discussion, or for me to move on to a more trivial topic in order to "snap them out of it"--something that happens all too often in a world where people are being conditioned to become more and more shallow.

Suddenly an idea came to mind. "Ok," I said, "it looks like you are all at work processing what we've been discussing, so I invite you to take out your journals and continue the inner conversation on paper." It was wonderful to behold: without a second's hesitation, each of them dove into the page and started writing, and this continued for 5 minutes before I asked them to stop. At that point they were all still writing.

I asked them what they were writing about (indicating that it was perfectly okay to "pass.") One by one, they shared the topics of their musings. More than a dozen students spoke. Each had grabbed onto a different aspect of the discussion.

A couple of thoughts about the experience:

• This is so much more important than "teaching to the test," as so many teachers are forced to do these days.
• The students each moved in a different direction. They were learning what they were ready to learn, and pondering what resonated with their own lives. How could one possibly determine what it was they were "supposed to be" learning, or even dare to test them on the day's discussion. That would be a violation of their experience, and if the test didn't address what was most important to them, it could also be a trivializing of the important learning that had taken place. At that moment, I didn't need to grade them; their faces told me all I needed to know. (And I'm sure they'll tell me more in their next reflection paper.
• So often in our treadmill world, we are dragged from experience to experience until our minds are crowed, our sensitivity is dulled, and our souls are starved. It is so important to take the time we need to process what has been happening in our lives.
• After watching a powerful movie or play, I would much rather spend a few minutes with my journal, than have to listen to what those around me thought of the movie (therefore taking myself out of the experience). There is a time and a place for those interractions as well, but before they occur, we need to have the time and the space we need to, as is said of Mary, treasure these things in our heart.

Why organizations lose their best employees

This from a conference given to our community by Fr. Michael Casey, O.S.C.O.

Over the course of a year, many organisations (corporations, businesses) lose 1 out of 7 valuable employees, the kind of employees they would really like to keep.

There are several reasons

• inept management
• poor, insufficient training for the job
• a lack of recognition or rewards
• Above all, a lack of listening.

Message to employers, supervisors, etc: If your talented people are not happy, you have got to find out why.

I agree, IMHO, for what it is worth.

Away from the screen = more creativity

I'm working on a book which many are encouraging me to get published. The process itself is worth the effort, no matter what the result. So while writing the book, I'm observing the process to see what it has to tell me. It's been telling me many things:

1. There is an internal "critic" trying to convince me that I'm wasting my time, that it's not good enough, that no one will be interested in it, etc. etc. etc. This critic, who I have named "Sigmoid" (I know it's a rather messy part of the colon, so it fits well), is having a fit that I'm having so much fun. Sigmoid is also on my case about the Blog. Is he worth listening to?
2. I'm recovering from surgery and have not been able to carry my laptop from my office to my "cell." Guess what? I've been getting more useful insight about the book away from the computer than when I spent all my time at the computer working on the book. Go figure . . .

Have a nice day!

Plugging Back into Monastic Rhythm

Monastic life has a time-table called the horarium, which is a daily schedule of Liturgies, Meals, Spiritual Reading and Recreation. The schedule moves steadily along, with occasional changes for special events. Most people think that this relentless rhythm must be tedious and monotonous, My youngest brother said to me after only a few hours here, "This could get to be boring!" Well, here I am, 27 years later, and I haven't been bored yet.

For the monk, keeping the horarium is both a discipline and a great gift. Our customary says that "it frees the monk from futility," and that is indeed true.

What I especially appreciate now, as I'm  slowly but steadily recovering from my back surgery, is that the horarium is there, running on its course, and the rest of the brethren are keeping it and praying at the every service "for our absent brothers, Meanwhile, as I gradually feel better, I am able to "plug myself into" the schedule, bit by bit. There is no pressure to do so; what really matters is that I want to do so. (Even though at healthier times I find my little ways to avoid parts of it--alas, we're all human.) But on the whole, it is, indeed, a gift to be savored and treasured. And I look forward to the time when I'll be completely "on line," as it were, albeit looking for ways to get around it all.

A mini-"vacation" in a hospital waiting room.

Well, I'm back sooner than I expected to be. The operation was a success, but obviously I am dealing with a lot of surgical pain. Writing helps distract me.

So there I was--walking into the "Pre-Op Family Waiting Room," which was very nicely appointed. I noticed some striking works of art on the walls, all different scenes from Italian villas. So instead of sitting around waiting and being nervous, I decided to take a trip through the mini art gallery in the waiting room. I actually walked from one piece to another; they were very evocative and for a few moments I was drawn into a lovely world. It was a nice vacation. Certainly better than sitting and waiting for my name to be called, with fearful thoughts going through my head.

And, by the way, I love Catholic Medical Center. Such wonderful, loving care in such a pleasant setting.
Sick joke: When it comes to dealing with pain, the Catholics do it best!

Hospital visit

I am having a surgical procedure done (nothing terribly serious) this afternoon and probably won't be on line for the next several days. Let's assume that my next post will be on Sunday. Have a good week! Please keep me in your prayers.

Some things are left to be mysteries.

   There are several issues going on in my life that I simply don't understand. There are several issues going on in my life that don't make any sense to me at all. And decisions have been made in some matters that I disagree with, sometimes strongly. Grrrrr. . . . 
   I'll bet you can say the same thing. And I wouldn't be surprised if you, like me, have some theories about why these things are the way they are. But theories are not facts, and sometimes I forget that.
   I have learned after years of struggle, that I simply have to "let them be," recognize and admit that they are beyond my grasp at the moment, and surrender them until God chooses to enlighten me.

   This has brought me not a small measure of peace. I'm not saying I am able to do it all the time, but when I do, I am at peace.

   How about you?