Temple of Silence

This is one way to describe a Trappist Monastery. It is not that people never talk, but rather that the flow of life is such that talking is minimalized. This includes computer time and cell phones. Monks can live in close proximity to one another, but without any need to talk. The jobs are routine. Community is not about talking together, but rather, praying together in silence, song, or Eucharist. All this will take you somewhere. Many of us would rather forego the journey. Young people would say, "There is nothing to do." Others would say it is a waste of time. For me, monastery time goes too quickly. Time wasted is not due to the monastery life, but to my own indolence.