Last night’s chat was extensive and we share here only a brief portion of the main topic, cell phones and monastic life:
Sister:Tonight’s chat includes: impact of cell phone use on monastic silence
How can candidates ever adjust who are used to constant communication? I am concerned because I remember how the limiting of the regular phone calls was so hard for me when I entered.
Guest: I think younger people might have a problem, because they seem to do so much of their communication by text. They are so used to texting no matter what they are doing that they will have to really try hard to make holy hours at first
Sister : That’s an insight- building up with Holy Hours
Guest: It’ll be so hard. I imagine they’ll be texting around the compound instead of calling, because it will be less intrusive
Sister: But they won’t have their phones. Will they even enter?
Guest: No? the places I’ve been people are carrying in-house cells
Apr 22 2012, 8:28 PM
Sister : Then they will text- the temptation will be there
Guest: yes, and it’s hard not to when its so available
Apr 22 2012, 8:29 PM
Sister : So we will end up being a radical community after all- no cell phones!- here in Brooklyn!
Guest: Seriously, the cell is good for locating people, but the rule of silence should include texting
Sister : We’ll talk about silence of thought and true recollection next time!!!
Guest: Oh, a hard topic!