Contrast Benedict’s idea of the monastic life with Merton’s
view. Merton seems to be frustrated with
monastic life, yet he does follow Benedict’s Rule as he goes about his
Firewatch – he prays and reflects as he does his work. Though Merton seems to have a negative view
of the monastery, Benedict’s Rule clearly influences his prayer life
profoundly.
If you were to apply Benedict’s Rule to your own life, would
your soul feel closer to God in different situations during work and rest as
Merton, or do you feel that you would experience more of the frustration of
Merton?
What are the difficult questions that Merton asks during the
Firewatch, and is he expecting a direct answer from God or divine inspiration
to seek his own answers in accordance with our course topic, Faith Seeking
Understanding?
Benedict wrote the rule that Merton is trying to live by. Benedict is giving us a simple instruction in how to grow in holiness while Merton speaks of the frustration and exhileration of trying to apply that rule to a human life. If I were to try to follow the rule of Benedict, I would get frustrated very quickly since there doesn't seem to be any time for anything besides praying. But I'm sure someone who followed it would become closer to God. I don't think that Merton knows what questions he is asking God or what God is saying to him. It reminds me of A Case For God. Merton has prayed so much that his religion has become a knack he cannot explain
ReplyDeleteI feel that the frustration that Merton is feels is reasonable because one can know he or she is called to a certain vocation but at the same time, it still remains a mystery. An example is the fact that Merton did join the monastery because he knew that that was where he was supposed to be. This is the way that one can live out his or her mission on Earth whatever that may be. Merton's frustration is natural in relation to the mystery of his vocation because how often do we get frustrated when we don't understand something that we desire to know.
ReplyDeleteAt the same time, Merton’s questions do not end in a question without an answer. In fact, if this were true, he wouldn’t have joined the monastery. The fact is, that although Merton doesn’t say it, he must have had some (at the very least) experience of these kinds of questions being answered. Otherwise, how would he know this vocation? Or to enter that particular monastery? So this frustration Merton feels is a result that his questions aren’t answered immediately. However, Merton also knows that these questions have an answer and that in time; he will come closer to knowing that answer. The frustration he feels doesn’t have the last word.
Merton does not doubt his vocation, or despair in the face of these questions. In his past, he has received an answer to some of these questions and this is why it is reasonable to continue asking these questions and pursuing them, hence “faith seeking understanding.” I know that for me, this is reasonable, because as time goes on answers to previous questions are revealed to me. For me, it is not the direct answer from God or divine inspiration. The difficult questions that I ask are revealed to me in time. I can say this because I’ve experienced this happen before. “Faith seeking understanding” means: ask the questions, pray about them, and live your life.
(Sorry that this is so long, I had a thought and just ran with it.)
i do not entirely think that merton is frustrated. guaranteed, there is some frustration present that accompanies his questioning and seeking but it is not without growth. he does come to know God better even through that small excerpt. he learns that his greatest desire is not the answer but the silence the peace and awareness of the present that it provides.
ReplyDeletei think prayer outlines by time is very helpful and more readily leads us to closer union with God. We, although not in a monastery have that option. all that we do can be and should be a prayer, the intention actually makes the work better and more worth while.
the goal of this structured prayer is to enter into the contemplative life, which aristotle defines are the highest form of happiness.
Looking over Merton as well as Benedict, there are key traits that are revealed of each character. Benedict, who wrote the rule on this type of worship, that is comprised of mostly prayer leads us to greatly contemplate our soul in relation to God and to understand Him as He understands us. Merton, as evident in the Firewatch, is clearly frustrated by some of the conditions that accompany him as he goes along his path. Later in the reading however, the peace and solitude provide the greatest of relief for Merton along his path. It is through this way that he is able to gain solace in the fact of his current torment that is crucial for us to understand.
ReplyDeleteI think that Merton's scenario is a really good example of our course topic, “faith seeking understanding,” because he gave his entire life to God when entering the monastery and continues to live his vows there, despite having personal struggles with it, because of his great faith. On the other hand, he is asking questions and seeking answers in the hope that he will eventually gain understanding and even becomes really frustrated by his lack of understanding, and yet his faith is still strongly present.
ReplyDeleteThese accounts of monastic life are related through a real verses ideal relationship. Benedict's rule is the ideal life of the contemplative, holy monk. The monk's life is very structured, and almost all of the day's activities are either work or prayer. Through work and prayer, Benedict says that they both help the Monk become closer to God. In the silence of the monastery, or cave or whatever secluded location, the distance from the rest of humanity and the world allows the monk focus and become closer to God. Merton's experience details an actual monastic prayer experience, which also includes distractions. Thomas Merton dealt with the distractions of his fellow monks and the curious outside world, which resulted in finding his deepest prayer experiences while on fire watch. This shows that even hiding in a secluded monastery cannot rid someone of distractions which invade prayer experiences with God.
ReplyDeleteI like how you mentioned that Benedict is concerned with an ideal while Merton writes about the real. Benedict says that the monks must "listen carefully... to the master's instructions." Merton reads this command and obeys it. He searches in the silence and in the darkness for God to direct him. Even though he feels that God does not answer him at times, he seems to hear God indirectly through nature. I suppose he can become distracted by the noises in the community, but nature does not distract him from God; it actually brings him to a closer understanding of God. Merton wonders about trees, animals, water, shadows... but these do not distract him. Instead, he realizes that God created all of these things and cares for them, so that they may fulfill their purpose of serving Him. He also comes to know that all of creation is passing away, and God is the only eternal being. Merton's observations throughout the fire watch provide an opportunity for him to "listen" to God as Benedict commands.
DeleteI think that if I were to apply the Rule of Benedict to my own life, I don't think I would have the same issues as Merton. I believe the work would make me feel closer to God. Merton's questions fit really well with our course topic especially with the author (I forget which) that said when each question is answered, five more spring up.
ReplyDeleteI think that if I applied Benedicts Rule to my life today I wouldn't have the unrest that Merton feels in the monastery. With constant prayer, even in work and through work, one becomes closer to God. The physical acts help the spiritual acts. This totally makes sense to me, I just think that Merton wanted a closer and quieter relationship and spiritually with God. With all of the visitors to the monastery and the noise, I think that Merton was overwhelmed with the constant movement; Merton probably had this problem because he didn't like the fact that the other monks didn't mind showing the world what their order was about. Also, on further reflection, I think that Merton probably would have been a better hermit than monk because then he would be in complete quiet and lonliness: only the relationship between him and God would exist.
ReplyDeleteI think that the frustrations that Merton faces within Benedict's rule can be true for all of us at least at some point in our lives. I know that personally, in this world, I sometimes feel like there is too much noise and too much going on in my life, and I struggle to be close to God. That being said, I think that if I were to apply the rule of Benedict to my own life, I don't think that my frustrations with noise and too much going on would be as pronounced as Merton's. When I was in high school, I spent a fair amount of time at the Benedictine Abbey that was affiliated with my school. Whenever I was there, all I could think about was how I would never be able to live that way because I would feel too isolated and too separated from society. So, I would not feel the need to be separated even further like Merton eventually did. However, since we've been reflecting on Benedict's Rule and monasticism in class, I have been thinking a lot about what it would be like to apply it to my own life. I think it's possible to apply Benedict's Rule to our lives without becoming monks or nuns. I think that "work and pray" is a beautiful way to live life, and while I have no intention of joining a monastery, I think that working for God is a goal that is attainable for everyone.
ReplyDeleteI believe that if I lived the life that Merton does, according to the Benedictine Rule, I would have a very rough time and struggle greatly, while simultaneously loving it! However, that struggle doesn't mean that the life is pointless or contrary to one's vocation. I firmly think that the feeling of helplessness and confusion that Merton experienced was exactly what God wanted of him at that moment. I also think that Merton was entirely right in his idea of the monastery being too loud--"loud" doesn't necessarily mean that it is physically loud; the word can also mean loud on the inside. I think Merton was experiencing a profound searching within his soul, in a way that he could only hear what he himself was saying and thinking. He could only hear these because God was being "silent" (though maybe Merton was just unable to hear God! Possible, you know). That, and the doubts he is experiencing may be from the Evil One, trying to get him out of the monastery. The fact that he has remained in the monastery is a testament to his faith in God's plan for his vocation.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I firmly think that he doesn't need answers in the way he is searching for. The answers are already there, somewhere! "Faith seeking understanding" doesn't necessarily mean that Merton will get the answers in the way he expects.
I agree with Amber that while there is definitely some frustration present in Merton's questions he is not exactly consumed with frustration. I also agree that his ideas and his understanding of prayer change for the better in a short period of time. Within the small excerpt that we are given of Fire Watch we can see how much more Merton grows to see clearly that prayer is not about receiving answers but can be more insightful when one reflects on the silence instead.
ReplyDeleteI sympathize with Merton in that if I tried to live under a Benedictine code I would easily become frustrated. While there is a fundamental concept of silent contemplation involved with the monastic lifestyle, It differs too greatly from my theology because I like to ask questions of others and enjoy discussion which, as a style of study, seems excluded from Merton's lifestyle in the Monastery. While I agree that at time I could enjoy silence presented by solitude (one of the main reasons I'm choosing to move to a single dorm room next year,) I also fear that solitude might also grant a sense of loneliness in the search for God. Community can help support and foster religious thought, and while contemplation and self-examination can be very beneficial for theology, alone it is not enough for me.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Amber, Merton doesn’t seem entirely frustrated, the way he talks about the monastery and about the past imply some amount of frustration with his current condition, but there is also a tone of reminiscing, of experiencing the past both good and bad and rejoicing where something beautiful is recognized. He doesn’t seem frustrated with Benedict’s view of monastic life—Merton lives out the practice of integrating prayer into his work, as well as separating time for prayer alone. Instead his frustration seems to lie in these unarticulated questions. The text makes it unclear whether he is seeking an answer in the form of a great booming voice, or merely the means to find his own answers. Because Merton mentions how his own thoughts twist and misinterpret the answers so they are wrong, I’m inclined to think that he’s looking for a more concrete sign than just coming to understanding on his own. Indeed, despite the poetic style, I think he is talking about more than just his own thoughts when he hears the “Voice of God,” however he isn’t using the phrase literally either. I don’t think this is unrelated to our course topic. Merton definitely has faith and is thinking deeply about these questions of his. He is asking God to reveal to him the answer. He has faith that God will in time give him these answers as long as he keeps asking.
ReplyDeleteI think any person would feel both the highs and lows of the Benedictine life if applied to one's life. Just as with the Gospel and living the faith, there will be times of great joy and excitement, but also times of difficulty and pain. Living the Gospel is not easy, but it is the promise of eternal life. In the same way, living the rule of St Benedict allows one to really find the silence to be with God, but that time leads, paradoxically, to a greater understanding of a mystery. God HImself is a mystery which we, as humans, only come to know a glimpse of Himself, but this is the aim of Christianity- to enter into a relationship with a ever-loving and personal God. He desires intimacy with us, but oftentimes the more we seek Him and understand a tiny bit more about our relationship with Him, He is an even greater mystery. These are the questions Merton asks. He ponders and is slightly frustrated at God's silence when Merton seeks and cries out to Him. But I think Merton also realizes the abundant goodness and refuge that God is. His eternity will not change. "Eternity is a seed of fire, whose sudden roots break barriers that keep my heart from being an abyss." Merton tastes this eternal reality and hungers for Him.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Philip. I believe the Benedictian life would become tedious and one fear I would have is that the routine would lose its value. By saying the same prayers, it will become routine, not something as truly genuine. I can see how the silence aided in Merton's life and how the silence allowed him to appreciate God as well as clear his head and ask questions. I believe some of the ritual and busy work at the monastery may be taking away some of his true prayer.
ReplyDeleteLiving according to the rule of Benedict would bring both joy and struggle to one's life (not necessarily separately). Through struggle, one can experience joy because they know they are actively seeking the answers and truth. Silence can equally bring about a closer relationship with God and more questions to be answered.
ReplyDeleteEven though we may be frustrated when our questions aren't answered directly or quickly, we should realize that God will show us the answers when the right time comes. Prayer has a lot to do with trust in the Lord. We should give Him our questions and trust that we will be answered according to God's plan.
Also, it is important to note that receiving answers is equally as important as receiving silence because they can both bring about a deeper and more personal relationship with God.
I think that put in Merton’s position I would not be as strong, so I would feel a great deal of frustration. I really like Rhode’s point that despite his frustration, Merton understands the "eternal reality" and seeks God. Belief is a hard thing to fathom and so are the Sacred Mysteries. It is not hard to say you believe, but it is very hard to practice that belief. There are good days and bad for everyone’s belief because God is constantly testing us. What Merton does not touch on as much is the support that one gets in a monastery. My frustration would subside. This is partly because I believe that a desire to free oneself from frustration leads one to seek truth. Overtime, that frustration would pass, and I think my soul would feel closer to God by defining the truth more clearly.
ReplyDeleteGoing off what Caitlin said, I think that at first the Benediction life would perhaps be tedious and the routine would be difficult, especially at the beginning, but over time I think it would be the opposite. The way of life, the structure, and the routine, would become almost liberating as it allows for complete immersion in prayer and in work and it allows one's thought's and prayers to be more focused and more profound. So I disagree in that by saying the same prayers it would not be genuine. I believe it would most certainly be genuine after the passage of time, and perhaps even more so, as one continually comes to a deeper understanding of those prayers.
ReplyDeleteI fully agree with you that repetition does not mean lack of sincerity. As someone who prays the rosary every day, the repetition of the prayers actually allows me to meditate on other things, while still remaining focused in a spritual context, and not being distracted by the world around me, and my thoughts do not wander far from it. Whenever they do, I suddenly realize that I'm not counting beads anymore, and I can refocus and re-center mself. Repetition allows for deeper contemplation, and this is what Merton actually finds soothing about the Fire Watch, as he's constantly replaying and re-examining his life at the monastery, which can be frustrating, but also illuminating. It allows him time to ask those questions, even though he doesn't always recieve an answer.
DeleteI think that if I were to live according the strict Benedictine rule, I would probably struggle more with boredom than frustration. It is such hard work to keep up any kind of strict disciple, but especially a repetitive discipline like the rule of St. Benedict. The only thing I can think to compare it to would be life in high school, which was the same five classes every day, prayer every hour on the hour, sports practice, dinner, chores, homework, sleep, repete. However, I agree with Schultz that this feeling would subside as my soul and my will and my feelings in general become more conformed to the Lord's will. I think that this is what the Rule is all about: allowing ourselves to be molded to match our Maker through the daily discipline of prayer and obedience. It's almost like there is a spark in our souls, and there are many ways that this spark can be fanned into flame, and one of those ways is through this kind of Rule. The more one practices the disciplines, the hotter that flame becomes.
ReplyDeleteI feel that living in that way would cause me more frustration, similar to that or Merton. The discipline of the life is not really what seems to make Merton so frustrated, I think it is more the fact that he is surrounded by others following a strict routine as well. I feel as though he loves the memories he has had in the monastery, but that he wants to live in a more complete solitude. His life has had such few changes and each day is so similar that I think Merton, like myself, would feel that he had almost gotten everything out of that kind of worship. I believe that he does want to live in solitude but that he might want to live in a different kind of solitude.
ReplyDeleteWhen thinking about life in a monastery, I cannot help but think that I would be bored out of my mind. Each passing day would be exactly the same: same prayers, same schedule... Finally, I would desire to go out and see the world! I find this to be true any time I am faced with a seemingly endless routine or a tedious task. Yet there is another side of me that would enjoy such a life. This is the side of me that can sit through and truly concentrate on a rosary and mass. This is the side of me that understands the universe and every circumstance to be a gift to me.
ReplyDeleteImagine you walk into your room and there's a huge vase of beautiful flowers sitting on your desk. Naturally, you smell them and admire their beauty, but the natural reaction would be to ask: "Who gave these to me?" To ask "who gave me all of this?" is the natural reaction to the inexplicable beauty of my life and surroundings. Yet I often stop short and forget to ask this question, and this is when I begin to think like Merton. It is then that I question what I used to know with certainty and forget the giver behind all that I see.
I really like the example you have given, for it truly does demonstrate humanity's natural reaction to get wrapped up in the beauty and exploration of life without acknowledging a giver. I'd have to agree that I too would be bored with such a repetitive rule, yet I can't help but fathom the discipline and temperance of such a life. Such actions must be backed up with an initial passion that perhaps I have yet to understand. Therefore, I really can sympathize with Merton and his frustrations.
DeleteI can definitely sympathize with the frustrations and difficulties that Merton is feeling during his firewatch. I know that in my own spiritual life, there are times when I really wonder where God is calling me, or why did He bring me to the point that I'm at. I don't think that Merton is regretting his decision to enter the monastery, I just think that he is going through the same ups and downs that we as lay people go through in our spiritual life. It can be frustrating to want so badly to hear the voice of God saying exactly what He intends for your life, which is what I think Merton wants in his firewatch. He is looking or listening for something profound to tell him what is going on. But I think that frequently God comes to us in the most ordinary of circumstances. This connects with Benedict's rule of Ora et Labora, because God is found even in the daily tasks that the monks complete.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Laura and Dan and many others who have seen the beauty and deep prayer that is uncovered in a structured and sometimes repetitive schedule like the rule. That being said, I believe that there are many forms of prayer which can be deep and draw someone closer to God. The rule is just one of these many forms. I believe that different people at different times in their lives are called to different types of prayer. Some people may be better suited than others to devote themselves to this type of prayer. Some people at certain times in their lives may be more inclined to this type of rhythm. That being said, this does not limit one to a certain type of prayer at one time. This also does not contradict the universal good that comes from this discipline. I just wanted to make the point that different people may be better suited for the rule than others and that God does not call everyone to this type of living just as he does not call everyone to be a priest.
ReplyDeleteTo answer the second question that Sarah poses, I think if I applied Benedict's Rule to my life, my soul would definitely feel closer to God during both rest and work. I find it hard to believe that I would be frustrated as Merton was. If I was to follow Benedict's Rule, I would be focused on one lifestyle, and as a result, able to create a more holistic relationship with God through patience and listening. Whether it is when I am working, or resting in times of rest, I would always be opening my heart and ears to listen to God. The dedication to such a practice would make me feel more fulfilled and whole, therefore strengthening my connection with God.
ReplyDeleteWhile Benedict's Rule does sound beautiful and probably leaves a lot of room for reflection and revelation, I would probably have a hard time following it. God has provided us with so many different opportunities on earth that I would find it difficult to maintain a set routine. Also if there was anything you disagreed with, it would probably be difficult to do something about it. That's where Merton probably became frustrated. It sounded like he didn't mind the schedule or the structure, but that he wanted more silence and time to reflect. Another point of frustration that Merton had was with hearing God and I can understand why Benedict's rule might frustrate him in this regard. If you are doing the same activities every day, life can feel tedious and it might be difficult to put effort into them. That is why I think sometimes change is necessary to bring out new enthusiasm.
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