After searching for the hermitage journal by John Howard Griffin in my library several times in vain, I finally ordered a used one from Amazon. I can’t find it in the public Library or online any where. I had it years ago and remember that I really enjoyed reading it. But of course I remembered nothing now. The book came quickly in a couple days and I am very happy to see an old friend showing up. I’ve been reading it since I got it yesterday.
I love the total inhibition in his journal writing. He wrote honestly and descriptively. He brought me into the humid and hot weather in august in KY and I can feel the coolness when he contrasted it in the early morning hours in that quiet darkness. I can almost hear his typewriter clicking away.
I also love to read his detailed documentation of his days. Why is it interesting to read that as opposed to other journals of the same method? I guess it’s the subject matter that interests me. I want to know more about the monastery life behind the doors. I like to read about it’s daily schedule to understand how they practice their belief and how they get that rhythm for contemplation.
Johns narrative fills that need exactly. He was living in Thomas merton’s hermitage experiencing Tom’s life in his surroundings getting to see, hear, and sense the same weather and views, talking to the same people, the same humid weather, the same black snake. And I get to have a glimpse of that through his words. And not only that, I also feel that I get to know Tom more as he revealed his understanding of Tom’s predicaments and his longings for a more solitary solitude. I can somehow relate to that.
I think writers need the solitude to germinate and solidify the ideas and mental discoveries and record them for others to build on. But a constant contact and interruptions will make it impossible to record and the mental process become constipated. On the other hand, the solitude is also necessary as a means to force the person to communicate via writing instead of fulfilling the need from senseless talking.
…….
Woke up early this morning when Manfred came in the room to start the morning ritual. And stayed up after begging a cup of coffee from Leo, Manfred’s way. Started reading the hermitage journal and thoughts just poured out of me. I am so lucky to have the iPad on the night stand right next to me that I can just pick it up and start typing. John would have to get out of bed and go to his typewriter, put the paper in hoping that the thoughts wouldn’t escape him by the time he is settled at the desk. Modern convenience has it’s definite advantage for us into the gadgets.
Got hooked on Leo laporte’s video casts lately. So many topics and he is so easy to listen to. Loving his job too, he gets to go to CES and macworld expo and such to see the newest and latest gadgets and technologies, try them out for free and he gets to talk to people with the same enthusiasm as he for a living. Dream job.
Now that’s the extreme contrast. A hermit and a talk show host. I am equally intrigued by both. Who am I really.
Mom’s legal matters continues to haunt me. It has been the thorn for me as I dread them and afraid to make mistakes and bring unpleasant consequences. I know they will come to an end eventually but the process nearly paralyzes me mentally.