It’s the inner
disciplines that I am attracted to in all faiths. It’s the monks I look to as teachers, those
intentionally immersed in the life of their faith.
It’s the inner
peace that manifests itself in outward strength, integrity, humility, and
nobility. It seems that once that inner
self is at rest, the outer circumstances of life can come and go and leave no
trace on the soul; it’s that monastic heart; the place of being asleep in the
boat during the storm. (Matthew 8:23-27)
Old trees present
that sense of stability and sustainability.
They have weathered the storms, withstood the droughts, and continued to
grow strong and sturdy circumstance after circumstance, season after
season. Externally they are scarred and
weathered by the elements; internally they are well rooted, grounded, and
nourished by the elements. They stand
tall in grace and glory and speak rest to my soul.
The peace that
passes all understanding comes from being rooted and grounded in the inn
dwelling of the Holy Spirit in my heart, mind, and soul; communion and
connection with God the Father and Jesus,
His Son, the One who abides in me and makes his home with me. (John 14:
23; 15:1-8) It has put a silence in my
inner being and it is out of that place, that silence that I want to live,
speak, and do all that I do.
It’s the inner
disciplines that feed and nourish me; for those I look to the monks of the
ancient faiths, and the seasoned trees of the ancient forests as my teachers. (Isaiah 58:11, 12; 61:4)
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