Recently the monk at acimmonk.com decided to remove the Cloister (forum for discussion) from his site. To many of us this might seem quite surprising; many of us had become regular ‘whisperers’, or at least regular ‘lurkers’. Jamie’s gift to us was a magical world that we could explore and participate in via the many different rooms, nooks, abbeys, chapels, grotto’s, scriptoriums, and so forth. It was a wonderful time for many of us, and for now this phase is over.
There was, of course, a time before the forum was created, a time when a visitor strolled through the blog pages and writings in a quiet and solitary fashion, and to this meditative, true cloister, the monastery is returning. In the European tradition, the cloister was a place of quiet and reflection, where monks and nuns could stroll in the formal gardens or under the stone arch ‘ambulatoire’, crossing each others’ paths, acknowledging the presence of the others, but without engaging in conversation. It was a place of meditation, and inner harmony. Over time, the monk wished to return to this original idea that had been the first seed of the monastery at its inception.
For those of you unfamiliar with managing website forums, the task of moderating and organizing the participants is truly formidable. It is a serious investment that requires a great time commitment. A number of us had noted Jamie’s increasing absences from writing and whispering, corresponding with the rise in the number of whispers and the explosion of discussion rooms. In essence, it was one or the other. There was not time for both. While we greatly missed his participation, we were delighting in the freedom of personal expression offered by his site. We have done that; now we need to turn the page and let him do what he does best: write and learn, and communicate with us as a teacher and brother.
Please do not have an unkind thought toward him. He has offered us a great deal over time, and if he has taken something away now, it is only to give more of what is truly valuable. We shall not miss it. On the contrary, I think we will all be deeply grateful for this turn of events, for the time we will be allowing him to do what he does best. He will still be the same generous, giving person, but sharing something more than just a place for us to voice our thoughts.
It was only yesterday that he mentioned to me the possibility of making a link to my site. I hesitated, understanding the sudden time commitment this could bring. The site was not ready; I was not ready. But it was clear to the admins and myself that it would only be right to provide an alternate venue for the cloister participants. If you do not find all the pages ready, if ‘Paulo’s World’ still looks rough around the edges, then know that this was not planned! It will still take a little time before I’ll be fully happy with the welcome I would like to provide you. ‘AcimVillage’ was created at 1am last night, so it is just waking up, bleary-eyed, from a short night! The bridge is still under construction. I rushed out this morning taking pictures of my local area that I would like to include on the site, but that will take a little time. I’m still a slow-learning website novice.
Whereas Jamie’s lifestyle is that of a monk, mine is that of a hermit. Whereas Jamie’s theme is monasterial, mine is more old European-style villages and countryside (basically like where I live). I discovered ACIM in 1988, and moved to the south of France in 1990. My first encounter with other students was at Ken’s academy in 1999, after which I returned straight back to France and my country village and have stayed here since. I have tried to leave several times, but something always steered me back here. My first real interaction with other students was through Jamie’s site, and it remains today the only place I retreat to for ACIM company. It is a rather solitary existence over here, one that has taught me a great deal about coming back to basics, time and time again. I always thought I was missing something in the world by not integrating more. And then the words would come back to haunt me, “The only thing you are missing is My Presence.”
Paulo and the Magician was born in the space of quiet that fills my life over here. It was written in a stone cottage in my village which dates from the 13th century (it used to be the gatekeeper’s house of a Templar fortified castle). My moving into this ancient little house was completely unexpected. At the time I occupied the house it had neither heating nor hot water, neither kitchen nor bathroom, and I arrived one fine day in the middle of winter! But it was one of the most extraordinary times of my life, one that I still try to recreate today. This is where Paulo began life. He is truly a product of the 13th century, infused with the timelessness that pervades all things, everywhere. Please feel welcomed to his world.
Thank you, Brother Bernard
I am sitting here under a birch, listening to th birds, smelling the scents…feels very welcome. And free: a new adventure.
Blessings and gratitude
NIna
Thank you Bernard for your welcome. Jamie knew you will be the perfect host for all the Monklings, and you are.
Love and hugs, Lisi
At last I get to move back to Europe! (at least in my imagination). You are so very gracious and kind, Bernard, to catch us as we flip into the air from the rug being pulled out from under us. Still we have our foundation in ACIM, and know it is always beneficial to look at the special relationship and release what we were demanding.
Blessings and Hugs, Katrina
Hi, Bernard…
I echo what my sisters have said about your generosity in giving us a venue to keep up with each other. This site is lovely…and yes, feels old world European. What a delight!
I must share that I began reading Paulo this past week-end and
am finding it so amazing. You have mastered what writers refer to as grabbing the reader, through the suspense in riding
along with Paulo’s adventure and the precarious obstacles he
encounters. Well done!
Curiosity compels me to ask how things worked out with the accountant meeting? I’ve been wondering?
Thanks so much for inviting us to your place.
Hugs!
LTS
Hey Villagers…
I just visited The Monastery, and Jamie offers a free class to all monklings –
i love that my heart is open for him – it so hurts to put someone out of your heart –
bonjour … my zen page a day calendar has for this day the quote “no more solutions! no more words!” … yet the words beg expression and to connect … I too am a hermit, was a silent guest in the monastery for years … have been in acim for over 25 years … am aware I’m rather stunned by the sudden changes at the monastery … I didn’t speak there because all was going along so well and there were plenty of voices and sharings and I felt totally welcome and at ease in all the whispers and rooms … my happy quiet presence was very real to me … the virtual reality of the monastery and all the goings on there have been part of my practice and daily work for years … ken reminds us constantly ‘just don’t take it seriously’ … but it feels so strange to come home and find your whole family has moved while you were away on a brief errand!!! am thankful we’ve been given a map to this village … will have to get to know my way around … am hoping all the nuns gone wild will somehow set up a colorful enchanting exotic garden or tent … am going to wander around a bit and go for a long walk … looking for virtual friends wandering from the monastery to here
So nice to meet you Zafu.
Zafu! so glad you are writing here! -How strange not to say whispering any longer.
And I feel so SAD after having read jamies post yesterday about moving: seems that this too is now yet an extra burden on him and Bonnie and poor Dreamy. How patient can you get??
here it is:
April 28th, 2010 at 7:36 pm
The latest installment of the Can-You-Believe-It-Hasn’t-Happened-Yet House Update:
We are still waiting for the final form to come through. It’s a new stipulation that our lender says was recently added to all loans as a result of the mortgage-crises. It is an IRS form that she thought would take from 24-72 hours to complete, but she’s still waiting to hear back from the IRS, and now hears it could take up to six more weeks. Our latest contract extension is up this Friday at 5pm and word is that sellers will not wait another six weeks. Because of this we have been looking at others homes these past few days (because the Obama tax credit for first-time home buyers expires at midnight on Friday).
We’ll see if the IRS comes through at the last minute, and I will keep you updated as usual.
Hello,
Does anyone know of an actual physical (rather than virtual) community where people live the Course together in silence?
Jim
Hello Jim, David Hoffmeister has The Living Miracles Center in Utah, USA. I’m not sure if they are totally silent but they offer Silent “deep” retreats. Hope that helps.
Jim, the Living Miracles Monastery in Utah has a Monastery as the name says, and also retreats. It is not silent.
If you google this title, you will find websites and also links to David Hoffmeister’s helpful videos. Just one look at his eyes and you see that he gets it (:
(And I would love it if you would talk to us too!)
Pam!! pinkie jinx!
superhugs
Nina