-23-

...The spontaneity of confessing one's sins to each other* is lost by secret confession. (* Letter of St. James 5:16)

...The particularity of monastic life is that it seeks the perfection of charity. Monks have no 'secondary aim'.

...We are in a 'school of love', not in a '10 + 2' school.  Our 'syllabus' is Jesus Christ.  We spend our whole lives in this school trying to become like Him. We should always have the attitude of learners.  When we fail, do not remain in that condition, but be ready to learn afresh.

...Each member of the community should have the mentality of a family member with the responsibility that it entails, and not a clerk with a fixed job.

...Contemplatives should not consider their vocation of 'love of God' to be superior to the vocation of 'love of brothers', because they are mysteriously connected with each other and that is what Jesus taught us.

...Isolation from the community, even for a good cause, may lead to malpractices.

...A monk's love must be universal, yet it should not lead to separation from his community.

...Love in community depends on mutual obedience.  But mutual obedience can occur only with humility.

...A good result of knowing ourselves is that we become living  and life-giving members of the community.

...Bliss is what we experience in heaven during the 'satsang* presided by God!                                                              

PREVIOUS — NEXT