Author: Wick

The original cynics in the ancient Greek world were against the materialistic society. They advocated the pursuit of virtue via a simple way of living. Ironic then, that I would be cynical when approaching “Into Great Silence“. But I was.

We live in a world where we are being sold something constantly. So even when a movie experience that is advertised to transcend such aspects of culture, it can seem like another sales pitch. This movie has been recommended in several places of my life over the past year, so finally I caved and got it. Over 2.5 hours of experiencing the ancient monastic order of the Grande Chartreuse. That the film maker intended this be more than a movie about a monastery, but the film actually offers space and time of Holy silence…an experience of God.

Of course, if I’m expecting all of these things, and moving into it as if God “has” to respond…it won’t happen, right?

As the movie begins, the opening production credits are bold and noisy. The dryer in our basement is on overhaul. A train is passing by outside, and decides it’s a great time to announce its’ presence by whistling. I whisper a quick prayer, “Lord, make this more than watching a movie so I can say I finally watched it. Let me sit with you.”

The dryer stops. The whistle fades. The film illustrates 1 Kings 19:11-13. It was a goosebump moment for sure. But not in a “I’m watching a scary movie.”, or even in a “rush of a giant worship concert”. Simply, “God is here.”

Even in the midst of guiding our teens into “Downtime” lately….I may have overlooked simple silence. I enjoyed it, to say the least….

Decided something today in a conversation on fasting….I wasn’t ever going to get a chance to watch “Into Great Silence” unless I fasted sleep. I’ve owned it for a few weeks now. So far I’d only been able to watch all of the “extra features”, which included the evening services in Latin….a pretty neat thing in and of itself. But it’s not a movie I could “fit neatly” into any daytime rest period…whether at work or with the girls.

So here I am, 1am. Having spent nearly 3 hours being taken through daily routines of one of the worlds’ oldest monasteries, nearly untouched by time. I stayed awake by typing random thoughts/notes while journeying through the monastic experience. I definitely recommend it. And recommend fasting sleep in order to create time and space to take it in properly.

I have many thoughts, and some of them will probably come as I continue to process all that the film contained, and all that God spoke while watching. For now I’m simply still in awe, and grateful to have shared this experience. Those involved in creating the film really did achieve their goal “to embody a monastery, rather than simply depict one.”

To share in liturgy that has been taking place for over 1,000 years. To see the purposefully simple way of life….to be jealous of much of their simplicity. To have quiet spaces built into the film, allowing for reflection and meditation on the Word, and God’s Spirit. To be reminded of that moment in 1 Kings 19, where God passed by Elijah. It was not in the wind, earthquake, or even the fire, but in the sheer silence.