the small square
The closest I get to the feeling of living in what might be called a 'real' hermitage is when I am in my bedroom. It is a small room with sparse furniture. It has one window with very little to distract when i look out of it. I would like to say that most of the view is blocked by mountains or trees, but the truth is that most is blocked by buildings opposite me.
Except .. for one small square ..............
At the top left of the window, there is about 3/4 of a pane where I can see the sky. Even this is partially blocked by a chimney, but at least it provides an area where I can see clouds passing through blue skies, or just see a greyness that makes the view rather pointless. Occasionally, a cat wanders onto the building opposite and, despite the distance, seems to enjoy having a staring match with me .. cats eh!
It is in the mornings when I tend to read and meditate most, but a lot of the time, I find myself staring at that small patch of sky, especially on a sunny day (it is the only window that gets sun in my 'hermitage') or when clouds are drifting by it. I hadn't really noticed myself doing this for a number of years but recently noticed that I was spending time doing just this.
I suppose this is a form of contemplation. A small area with little distraction, but a small area that also contains God. It could be said that when I look silently at this small space, I am also 'looking at God'. It might seem a small thing, but like times of silence, it may well be a significant one.
