Stability

 Why do people seem to like visiting and staying at monasteries as on a “retreat?”  Stability.  Monasteries have a routine that does not change.  It is to allow the monks to grow deeper into their spiritual life because they don’t have to spend a lot of energy on change.  Our life can be so estranged, with lots of change.  There is the physical moving from one place to another for job or lifestyle.  Marriage and children are a lot of change.  Getting a pet is change.  Monks generally don’t do pets.  We are wayfarers in life.  The monks are anchored in their rule.  No one says they want to go to a chaotic family situation or work environment.  That is not respite.  If you have a very stable life a vacation of change can be quite refreshing.  But if your life is chaos, try a monastery visit for a few nights.