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Erika's avatar

Hope there will be a recording we can access, even for a fee. I’m living the small-scale, local Christianity of homeschooling my differently wired kids here in the States and, sadly, can’t get myself to Ireland. But I sure would like to listen in.

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Charles Trella's avatar

Fantastic conversation! I’ve been wrestling with a similar ‘attraction to monasticism’ as a married father of four in The Machine Age for nearly my entire life (60+). Lay monsticism, third orders, etc. Fascinated with organized communities like the Bruderhof, Amish, Mennonites, etc. Also with secular eco-communities & villages etc. But not attracted enough to break with my suburban Hudson Valley comfortably middle class life & IT professional salary & benefits. I was out last spring & summer at some green woodworking & spoon carving events, camping - tent & sleeping bag etc. I came to the stark realization that I am in love with the idea of camping far more than the actual practice of it. I now suspect I am in the same position re monastic spirituality. Ultimately - the ‘machine’ prevails by giving us enough to feel comfortable in pursuing our individualistic desires & interests - while nostalgically dreaming of the ‘old days’. As we all fragment into our own media driven ‘realities’ the Machine marches on. We truly are addicts who are struggling to move beyond the idea of breaking free - trapped by the fear of discomfort.

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