Let there always be quiet, dark places

in which people can take refuge.

Places where they can kneel in silence...

Houses of God, filled with God�s silent presence.

There, even when we do not know how to pray,

at least we can be still and breather easily...

Let there be a place somewhere in which you

can breathe, naturally, quietly...

a place where you mind can be idle,

and forget its concerns,

descend into silence, and worship God in secret.

There can be no contemplation

where there is no secret.

----Thomas Merton, SEEDS OF CONTEMPLATION