The true seclusion

The true seclusion is the inner personal solitude not the outer isolation related to locality

It is the inner seclusion of which the monk should pay attention & unveil in order to become conscious of his true nature.

It is where he puts the internal foundations of his interior house

It is where he discovers his shortfalls & inadvertences

Commentaries:

A monk may lead a fruitless seclusion when it is faked. The fact that makes us wondering about the genuine meaning of seclusion!

Our father focused on the interior seclusion however he didn't disregard the isolation related to place. The proof is the practical life he led joyfully with his spiritual sons in the monastery in their sincere solitude away from the world. For as when the monk is obliged to be in the world he must look in himself about the real meaning of solitude & seclusion

From sermon Building the house on the rock – 2 nd week of the Holy lent – 1973- father Matta