The Hermit's Cave with Better Lighting

Some monks thought the hermits had it too easy. That’s the detail that resonated most as I read from Jamie Kreiner’s The Wandering Mind. A man goes off to a cave to escape the distractions of the world, which sounds like the harder path, and his colleagues back at the monastery raise an eyebrow. Why? Because out there, nobody sees him. Nobody shares his purpose closely enough to tell him when he’s drifting — and with one instrument, there’s no way to tell drift from progress. Solitude, for a social animal, may be painful, but it also affords the bliss of ignorance. The monks who chose to live together were not choosing the pleasure of conviviality, but the accountability of others. Living with twelve others was the harder practice. Not because of what they shared, but because of what they were submitting to: the watchful eye of their brother. The correction they obliged themselves to hear and share. The commune was withdrawal from society, yes. But withdrawal from exposure? No. The…

Commenting on Bubbles has been removed. Why? If you want to talk about this post, write to the author, use the comments on their blog if it has them, or reply with a "RE:" post on your own blog. Suggestions? feedback@bubbles.town