Today is the feast day of St. Romuald (950-1027), the founder of the Camaldolese Benedictine Order.  The Camaldolese--like the Carthusians--combine eremetic and cenobitic elements into their rule of life, living together as a community of hermits.

If you are ever in Northern California, consider a visit to the New Camaldoli Hermitage in Big Sur.  The hermitage is nestled in the hills above the ocean and is a wonderful place for a silent contemplative retreat.  The brothers are still in the proces of rebuilding after some storm damage a few years ago and are also trying to expand their facilities.  You can read more about that here, and perhaps consider whether you wish to assist them in this venture.

In memory of St. Romuald, I leave you with his "brief rule:"

Sit in your cell as in paradise.
Put the whole world behind you and forget it.
Watch your thoughts like a good fisherman watching for fish,
The path you must follow is in the Psalms never leave it.

If you have just come to the monastery,
and in spite of your good will you cannot accomplish what you want,
take every opportunity you can to sing the Psalms in your heart
and to understand them with your mind.

And if your mind wanders as you read, do not give up;
hurry back and apply your mind to the words once more.

Realize above all that you are in God's presence,
and stand there with the attitude of one who stands
before the emperor.

Empty yourself completely and sit waiting,
content with the grace of God,
like the chick who tastes nothing and eats nothing
but what his mother brings him.