I am in my third week at the Hermitage, staying in Villa Francois, a yurt in the middle of a paddock, another paddock away from the Centre proper, and the labyrinth and chapel, both which I frequent daily. My days are days of routine. Meditation/worship/prayer, reading, walking (beautiful surroundings, lovely walks, lots of birds including resident geese) journaling, painting, crocheting, embroidering, cooking/eating. A time of great blessing.

However, my Spiritual Support Person (we spoke after I was here in silence for 12 days) asked me What Canst Though Say? I wasn’t sure – though knew this was a question from the Spirit.

I have carried it around for a few days. This week I am aware I am in a deeper place with the Spirit day by day, however, this morning I wandered from the present to the past (not comfortably I might say) and while walking the labyrinth the Spirit reminded me of Annica, all rises and passes away, and bought me back to the moment. [Annica is a Pali word meaning ‘impermance’]. And that moment brought me What Canst Though Say?

I then found This we Can Say in my e-library and read some of the wisdom from my F/friends in the section: Inspiration, our Faith.

So this I can say:

In my days alone and in silence, most of what I do is ministry, be it with my heart, or my head, or my hands.

I’m inclined to read a lot (and there is a little library in the Madonna of Silence Quiet Room, of which I have permanent access) to add to my already abundant supply of reading material. However, there are times when I’m told enough! I am then led to creative activities.  Painting mandalas take me to a place of peace, painting flowers and making cards take me to a place of pleasure.

I find in the Chapel I feel consciously surrounded by the Spirit and go there each day after walking the Labyrinth in the morning and after my afternoon walk.

I have with me my prayer list and since being here have been led to add 11 friends.  I am also led some days to bless others and hold them in the light.

I am embroidering a mandala, and this takes focus, and also love, as it will be a gift to a dear friend. And crocheting? Helps keep me awake – and gives me something to do with my hands as I sit in the rose and lavender garden awaiting the competition of my washing!

Even the creation of a meal and other daily doings are mindful, loving exercises.

I practice Vipassana every morning and worship later in the morning, late afternoon and in the evening, and attend Sunday MFW and Wednesday SW MFW, remaining in my place of silence, and practice Experiment with Light on Tuesdays, as I do at home. At these times of expectant waiting, I am guided in love and Grace.

I believe I am here to practice integrity and live adventurously (I was led to these words from Tangled Roots, the book of Stuart Masters,  (Swarthmore Lecture). Often at times of long silence I am led to such a purpose. And always at these times I am given the gift of awareness, that helps me pay more attention.

So what can I say? That I am blessed with and surrounded by the Spirit and grateful to be able to spend days and weeks wholly in their company.