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