tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22616974.post390292034950447965..comments2024-03-27T17:34:52.560-05:00Comments on A Garden Carried in the Pocket: A Time to Keep Silence by Patrick Leigh Fermorjenclairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06046532245054911248noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22616974.post-10190177554399644192011-02-14T07:43:40.665-06:002011-02-14T07:43:40.665-06:00Jenny - I love the concept of a silent retreat, bu...Jenny - I love the concept of a silent retreat, but can't imagine living the life of a monk. <br /><br /> Fermor could give his account of a visitor, but because of the vows of silence, his contact with the actual monks was limited. He does mention that while some believe the life requires great faith, he believed that the silence and ritual created the faith.jenclairhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06046532245054911248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22616974.post-65201639865212001842011-02-13T13:32:39.736-06:002011-02-13T13:32:39.736-06:00I am so interested to read this book. I don't ...I am so interested to read this book. I don't think I could manage, myself, staying at a monastery or a convent for any appreciable period of time. But I would love to read about the experiences of someone who could!Jennyhttp://jennysbooks.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22616974.post-45827954393250095852011-02-13T09:45:27.053-06:002011-02-13T09:45:27.053-06:00Kim -- I love connections like this and the Mitfor...Kim -- I love connections like this and the Mitfords have been on my radar for some time. I'll look for <i>Wait for Me</i>!jenclairhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06046532245054911248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22616974.post-41380074624103919832011-02-12T22:50:37.458-06:002011-02-12T22:50:37.458-06:00Sounds intriguing. Fermor's name rang a bell a...Sounds intriguing. Fermor's name rang a bell and then I realized he is mentioned several times in Deborah Mitford's memoir, Wait for Me. "Paddy" was a great family friend to the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire.Kimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00029895022186304294noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22616974.post-10538576848032676962011-02-11T18:50:05.144-06:002011-02-11T18:50:05.144-06:00Bookfool - I suppose it would also depend on the p...Bookfool - I suppose it would also depend on the particular order of the monastery about what you could bring in. Fermor mentions having had alcohol in his personal belongings and that he was glad he had it because they didn't serve wine. I can understand the a no alcohol/drugs concept, but not prescribed medication. I'm sorry you didn't have the opportunity to experience the retreat, Nancy; it would be interesting to hear about!jenclairhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06046532245054911248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22616974.post-37145606595743964032011-02-11T14:15:27.056-06:002011-02-11T14:15:27.056-06:00Sounds like it could definitely use some updating....Sounds like it could definitely use some updating. Simon Van Booy held a retreat at a California monastery, a couple years ago, but all I know about it is that there were very strict rules one had to abide by. They asked that you not bring any drugs, for example. When I read that, I thought, "I can't live without my migraine painkillers . . . what would they think of that?" I suppose necessary drugs are different, but that's not the way it read. It sounded like they insisted you bring none, whatsoever. So, I didn't look into it too thoroughly, but then I was a little envious when it was over. LOL Silly, I know. I should ask Simon if he's done that very often and has anything to share.Bookfoolhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08247136634069540446noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22616974.post-67823132492110316452011-02-11T08:45:48.698-06:002011-02-11T08:45:48.698-06:00Caroline - The book is short and quiet, but an int...Caroline - The book is short and quiet, but an interesting look at the monasteries in the 1950's. It would be nice to have a more recent update on these monasteries, especially in the populations. Have they remained at about the same numbers or decreased?jenclairhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06046532245054911248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22616974.post-58957510994510701512011-02-10T11:25:17.449-06:002011-02-10T11:25:17.449-06:00I really want to read this. I have read a few book...I really want to read this. I have read a few books by people who went to stay in Buddhist cloisters and was always fascinated. I a few years back while working as a freelancer I was planning on staying at a monastery for a while but it never happened. I try to do mini retreats at home. It is the best I can come up with. For someone who doesn't practice meditation, some form or other, it must be extremely challenging to cope with the restlessness and depression that could happen in those surroundings. I wonder how they cope with it in the Christian monasteries. I think you are left alone with these feelings.Carolinehttp://beautyisasleepingcat.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.com