Chapter 66: The porter or portress of the monastery
At the entrance to the monastery there should be a wise senior who is too mature in stability to think of wandering about and who can deal with enquiries and give whatever help is required. (From para. 1 of Ch. 66 of Saint Benedict's Rule, trans. by Patrick Barry, OSB, 1997.)
I begin to know an inner emotional stability as a fruit of meditation. My emotions are a part of my humanness, and I experience their transience. I hope to befriend them, in all their peace or their drama, in all their coming or going, and let them be. Compassion for my own wayward feelings may help me to be more compassionate with the difficult emotions of others.
The enclosure of my heart also needs a gatekeeper. The mantra serves that purpose, as imperfectly as I use it, Abba. My monkey mind is alive and well with all its million distractions. Like Martha, my mind is busy about so many things, but only one thing is necessary, my being with you, my loving you, Abba, and letting you love me.
ReplyDelete