(4) Monastic Archetype

"Behind [the] archetypal figure of the monk...a Central Archetype is
operating, which, it seems to me, is a primary religious impulse
involving both the Divine and the human. Is the monastic archetype
the same as the Central Archetype? At times, I think it is; at other
times, I think it is slightly different. In the first instance, the monastic
archetype is the emergence in the human soul of what Rudolph Otto
calls the Numinous, the Tremendum. This Central Archetype is
*Monos,* One. In the second, the monastic archetype would be the
impulse to put one's life orientation under the sign and primacy of
God, both Immanent and Transcendent. It is the core commitment
symbolized...to accept, partner, shoulder, serve, and celebrate the
Transcendent Mystery in and with creation."
[An article "Who is the Integrating Subject? A Response from a
Western Point of View" by Myriam Dardenne, O.C.S.O., in the book
authored by Raimundo Panikkar, BLESSED SIMPLICITY: THE MONK
AS UNIVERSAL ARCHETYPE, Seabury Press, 1982, p.181.]

Comment. At the time of the above writing, Myriam Dardenne was
the Superior of the Cistercian monastery of Our Lady of the Redwoods,
Whitehorn, California. The Cistercian Order also lives by the Rule of
St. Benedict, only historically standing even in more strict
observance of such.

Also, during this period, Mother Myriam was attending a major
monastic conference, sponsored partly by an international Benedictine
group. The agenda was mostly about the future of monasticism--
both East and West. Additionally, the agenda delved deep into
what might be considered the "traditional" monk vis-a-vis the
"non-traditional" monk. As one might suspect, the non-traditional
monk was the one who had jumped the walls and landed out in the
streets of this world.

But what interested me most in Mother Myriam's article was the
fact that she focused on the monastic archetype from a Jungian
perspective. Her analysis of this archetype, as put above, really
spoke to me. I can't speak for others, but years back I tried to
listen to the Spirit Within by seriously working with my dreams.
At a given period I had what the Native Americans call "Big Dreams."

These Big Dreams were of a totally different quality than my usual.
They were Numinous, special, and I knew they were really very
important. And it was with these special dreams that I was first
introduced to my Inner Monk. He was a helpmate during a period
of trouble for me. I guess that I had reached that "existential
emptiness" that Mother Labat had experienced--see (2) Provision
in this blog. I was standing on the edge of a cliff, looking into
Nowhere--and this Inner Monk, the Numinous, literally *saved* me!

During my dream-work I had to learn about the Archetype, about
the "Original Typos," about symbolism and many other facets that
move the psyche. Mother Myriam's first instance held true for me.
This Monk was Numinous. Secondly, however, after more work,
I realized that I was being drawn to live out the monastic archetype
as I could.

The emphasis for me was the "out" part. At first I felt I should try
to live the Benedictine lifestyle in lock-step. I was trying to thrust
a medieval system upon myself whilst living in a very challenging
modern world. My efforts did *not* mesh with my reality, hence
I had lots of trouble--and, in the end, felt a serious failure.

Happily I was rescued by a Benedictine Abbot who helped me
work through. He listened, he was gentle, and encouraged me
to understand that one's monastic calling nowadays might involve
new ways, new considerations, new environs. Monasticism,
itself, was changing for some--even while for others it remained
the same.

I longed for the "stability of the same," if you will. But that was not
to be my fate. Many monastic-driven people are now on the cusp
of the NEW. And for many, it's like traversing through unknown
territories.

Anyway, after many years trekking through--I realized that the
journey would be made easier by translating the major elements
of the Benedictine Tradition into a new language that addressed
the NEW. Interestingly, these major Benedictine elements
did not lose their power. They perhaps have gained power, at
least for me.

So, perhaps periodically I might look at these specific Benedictine
elements and illustrate how they might "work" in all sorts of
environments.