I spent this weekend at the Abbey of Gethsemani for a regional gathering of Lay Cistercian communities.  It was an interesting experience to meet representatives of various Lay Cistercian groups from all over the US.  There are a few things I've taken away from this weekend. 

• I've learned that I am not alone.  It's helpful to meet other people who have some of the same desires as me.  They too sense a calling from the Holy Spirit to be lay monastics whose primary calling is to prayer and contemplation for the good of the world.  I'm glad to know that I'm not crazy; that others living in different states and even different countries long to live this life of prayer "in the world."
• I've learned that a lot of diversity exists among these groups.  I was a bit surprised to learn how different the various expressions of Lay Cistercian groups were.  Some are highly structured.  Some hardly have any structure at all.  Some are geographically based.  Others like Conversi have members from all over the world.  Some groups require each member to be Roman Catholic while other groups are ecumenical. 
• I've learned that many of us Lay Cistercians have great affection for our local monasteries.  We care about these Trappists and must be careful not to place unreasonable expectations on them. 
• I've learned that I have a lot to learn.  I have a lot yet to learn about prayer, about lectio, about Cistercian tradition, about what it means to live this vocation in the world. 

I should probably clarify that I wasn't invited to Gethsemani as representative of our local Cistercian community.  I was there as a "host" to assist others in making their way around the monastery and to take a few photos of the weekend.  I was privileged to be able to sit in on these group sessions and found them both inspiring and informative.

You can see the photos of the weekend on my flickr page.

Peace.

I had the privilege of spending the weekend at the Abbey of Gethsemani for the Annual Lay Cistercian Retreat. It was great. A good balance of activity and silence. The topic was spiritual companioning and the group spent some time looking at Aelred of Rievaulx's writings.

What did I enjoy the most? Giving myself to the monastic schedule as much as I could. Rising before daybreak to pray with the monks. Gathering in the abbey church every few hours to chant the Psalms. Spending time in silence--no tv, no computer, nothing to distract me. I am always reminded of how much noise I have in my regular life when I spend a few days at the monastery.

I did do some hiking and of course, I took my camera along. You can view some of those moments from the weekend on my flickr page.

Check out this article that highlights the Abbey of Gethsemani. Thanks to Kyle for sharing the link.

Of all the authors I've ever read, no one speaks to me in the same way Thomas Merton does. I can't explain it. Somehow, Merton and I have a deep connection through shared struggles and shared longings.

There's a prayer that I first found at the Abbey of Gethsemani. It was sitting in a non-descript brochure holder on the front desk. I picked it up and began to read. I was immediately taken in by this prayer.

My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end. Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so. But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you. And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing. I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire. And I know that if I do this you will lead me by the right road though I may know nothing about it. Therefore I will trust you always though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death. I will not fear, for you are ever with me, and you will never leave me to face my perils alone.

There are several sentences in that prayer I could have penned. I love the honesty of it. Even after nearly ten years of monastic life, ten years of prayer, and ten years of community, Merton did not have life figured out. He too questioned the future and what that may look like. In short, there was a lot Merton didn't understand about his own journey and was able to somehow trust God with his life and future. I love the last part of the prayer. Therefore I will trust you always though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death. I will not fear, for you are ever with me, and you will never leave me to face my perils alone.

Amen.