A Retreat to Silence, Contemplation and Clarity

A friend of mine, Robert Brancatelli, recently posted a nice remembrance of a restaurant he used to frequent, named The Monk’s Retreat. You can access his post here.

That got me to thinking about my own connection to monks and retreats.

There’s something about monasteries, and the monks who live in them.

In 2004, while in the midst of a career change, the youngest child graduation from college, and the realization that I needed to decide how to spend the next chapter of my life, I took a 5-day retreat at a Trappist Monastery in Spencer, MA. I’ve returned several times since. 

Covid halted all of that for several years, but they have now re-opened their retreat facilities, and I have booked a retreat for the last week in August. I can’t wait.

The monastery is a place of silence, peace and reflection. No phones, no internet, no politics, no nothing. Just reflection on one’s place in the universe, and clarity to move forward with purpose.

The monks manage to be educated and productive in this quiet environment, well read and excellent writers. I have found it very helpful to meet privately with one monk in particular, who helps me gain insight and offers absolutely detached, objective guidance, not available from anyone else.

I’ve often thought that a 5-day retreat with the Trappists should be required of every adult American. Of course, there are not enough men in the religious life to accommodate such a demand, so I consider myself very fortunate.

You may be wondering why I chose this reflection as the one with which to re-activate my own blog after a too-long hiatus. Maybe just because it’s nice , and perhaps you will enjoy this brief post, and perhaps some others of Robert’s at his own site.

In any case, this blog has been built to share my thoughts on growth, the human condition, education, policy and technology. I’m happy to be back, and I hope you enjoy what I have to share with you.

Vic Brown is the author of “Welcome to College – Your Career Starts Now!”, and can be reached at vicbrown@me.com.