Into Great Silence

I am taking a break from my "favorite things" blogging because I cannot let this movie recommendation go unwritten. If you haven't seen Into Great Silence, you simply must. This documentary about life inside La Grande Chartreuse monastery in the French Alps is the most spiritually renewing film I have ever seen, and I fell asleep one hour into it.

You read that right; I am endorsing a movie that put me to sleep. I fell asleep, not because I was bored but because I was so at peace and relaxed. I felt as though I had entered a time of silent retreat into a very sacred and holy place. As I watched the monks quietly and purposefully living out the everyday chores and prayers and rhythms of life in a monastery, I could feel all of the worry and stress and need for control that keeps me tightly wound slipping away. I felt as though I were entering into the very presence of the Creator and being embraced by his mercy and love and power to sustain life. It was one of the most amazing spiritual experiences I have had in a long time, and I still have almost two more hours of that to experience!

I would love for some of you who have seen the film to tell me your impressions, and I would really love to know what people who are not Christians think of it. It seems that the silent and deep spirituality of these men would resonate with those of other faiths, but I am a Christian and can only speak from my experience. I do know that, no matter what your spiritual leaning, this film is a unique experience. Rather than assaulting your senses with noise and dialogue and bright color and flashy images, it invites you into a muted, gentle, peaceful world of rhythmic beauty.

There are many more things I could say, so many images that stick with me, but I will stop there to go enjoy one of these cookies and a cup of my favorite tea while both of my boys sleep. See, you still get to learn one of my favorite things. Peace to you all.