Film “Into Great Silence” Revisited!
My first exposure to Philip Groning’s film “Into Great Silence” occurred some 18 months ago (as written in my post about this great awe-inspiring piece of art, on this spiritual blog).
A lot has changed since then… My spirituality became more mature and less excitable; although, new experiences rarer and as they come, are deeper and more meaningful. Approaching the period of Christmas celebrations (don’t expect to find me under the Christmas tree, or participating in the gluttonous feasts), the time felt right to review this powerful, yet at the same time quietening film. Here comes some background info, that hopefully will be enough to get you hooked and see it for yourself…
Chartreuse Monastery
“Nestled deep in the postcard-perfect French Alps, the Grande Chartreuse is considered one of world’s most ascetic monasteries. in 1984, German filmmaker Philip Groning wrote to the Carthusian order for permission to make a documentary about them. They said they would get back to him.
Sixteen years later, they were ready. Groning, sans crew or artificial lighting, lived in the monks’ quarters for six months – filming their daily prayers, tasks, rituals and rare outdoor excursions. this transcendent, closely observed film seeks to embody a monastery, rather than simply depict one – it has no score, no voiceover and no archival footage. What remains is stunningly elemental: time, space and light. One of the most mesmerizing and poetic chronicles of spirituality ever created. “Into Great Silence” dissolves the border between screen and audience, with a total immersion into the hush of monastic life.
The Office - Night Pray and Chants
More meditation than documentary, it’s a rare, transformative experience for all.” Hopefully, these words, quoted from the DVD’s cover, will make you intrigued enough to do a little online search and get yourself a Christmas gift that will transform your spirituality into yet another dimension.
Spiritual Environs...
Purists will argue that Carthusians follow the Roman Catholic religion, and thus an unrestricted spiritual freedom is not possible. Yes, as Nisargadatta Maharaj observed: “Truth has no form and no name, while religions go by rules and rituals.” However, for the average menfolk like me and many others, it is a religion that introduced us to spirituality and… a further, unrelenting search for God/the Self/the Absolute/the One Mind or whatever name you prefer to use. Trust, the moment will come when you’ll free yourself from the constraints of belonging to a particular faith, and begin walking the Way; but only when you realize where you’re going to, and what is awaiting you at the finish. And if you think that embracing spirituality without a solid foundation of religion is not only possible but more “natural”, look at what happened to many of those New Age enthusiasts years ago and happens now… Below are some of the more memorable quotes from the film; no doubts, you’ll recognize their origins…
“Anyone who does not give up all he has cannot be my disciple.”
“I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.”
“Behold, I have become human. If you should not want to join me in becoming God, you would do me wrong.”
“Behold the Silence, allow the Lord to speak one Word in us… that HE is.”
If you need any more encouragement to watch this film, here is what some critics have said:
“A transcendent, transporting experience.” – Kenneth Turan, LOS ANGELES TIMES
“Breathtaking.” NEWSWEEK
I’d like to finish with the film’s concluding words that should stay with me forever:
“The Lord passed by. Then a great wind tore the mountain apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord. But He was not in the wind. After that there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After that came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. After the fire came a gentle whisper.” 1 Kings 19, 11-13
