Sandra

“Martin Buber as described for basic virtues cultivated by the Hasidim to overcome the separation of the sacred and secular. . . . St. Benedict spoke of them as truly seeking God, zeal for a humble way of life, zeal for obedience, and zeal for the opus of God. Buber catalogues them as kavana (single-mindedness), shiflut (humility), avada (service), and hitlahavut (fire of ecstasy). 129”
― M. Basil Pennington, A Place Apart: Monastic Prayer and Practice for Everyone

“. . . I am in my hermitage perhaps 70 to 80 percent of the time. I relish and enjoy time with others. I have been called "the sociable hermit." Ironically, lengthy solitude often invokes a verbal avalanche when I find myself with a dear and treasured friend, or at a rare social occasion. . . . Solitaries, I suppose, are not always introverts.”
― Barbara Erakko Taylor, Silent Dwellers: Embracing the Solitary Life

“We can make a practice of letting go of unnecessary negative thoughts and feelings (our prayer word– a quick flight to the center, while the thought is allowed to float away– can be used to advantage in this) and cultivating joyful, positive ones. 132”
― M. Basil Pennington

“Monks realize well that when the consciousness of one person is raised, the whole of humanity is raised; when the quality of life of one improves, all improve. Or, to put it in another, more biblical, way, the increased health and vitality of any one cell vitalizes the whole Body of Christ. 38”
― M. Basil Pennington, A Place Apart: Monastic Prayer and Practice for Everyone