Chapter 42: The great silence after Compline
Silence should be sought at all times by monks and nuns and this is especially important for them at night time. (From para. 1 of Ch. 42 of Saint Benedict's Rule, trans. by Patrick Barry, OSB, 1997.)
As I lie in bed at night, I rarely think about what trust it takes to allow myself to fall into sleep. Just as when I prepare to meditate, I rarely think about what trust it takes to let go of habits of mind. But Benedict helps me to see that silence may be bringing me closer to my natural condition of trust.
“Being in control”: I like this, Richard Rohr’s three-word definition of suffering. Embracing silence, especially at nighttime, as the Rule mandates, I emerge from suffering by letting go, giving up my insane efforts at control and fall gently and restfully into your arms, Abba.
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