How to Protect the Candle Within
Monk Mindset Principle #3: Be More Human At Work
How to Protect the Candle Within
John Cannon
In my early days in the monastery, we had classes on spirituality, during which we’d learn from the older brothers who'd been in the monastery for a while. I remember Fr. Robert, an energetic young priest sharing this with us:
“We all have this candle burning within us. It’s the light of hope, life, God’s presence within us. If you run around while carrying a candle, it will go out.
Similarly, if we rush around, become frenetic, or allow too much stress to creep in, the candle of God will go out within us and it can be hard to re-light it.”
Life in the monastery is often busier than people imagine. There’s prayer, cleaning, gardening, cooking, studies, and so much more. I remember moving from one thing to the next all day long. I think most of us know this feeling—there’s always more to do than there is time, and that’s just part of being human.
Our culture often measures productivity by how fast we move and how much we get done. But in the monastery, I learned that what matters most isn’t the amount we produce, but how we carry that inner flame as we go about our work.
Brother Lawrence, a 17th century Carmelite brother, called this the "practice of the presence of God." A monk might spend days patiently writing an icon because the act itself is a prayer. In the same way, our daily work, whether emails, meetings, or manual labor, becomes transfigured when we guard the candle within us.
There are times when moving quickly is necessary, but I try to notice when I am slipping into rushing. I can still give my best effort, but I want to hold back from letting anxiety or that frantic feeling take over. I find that when I am attentive to this, I am better able to keep that inner candle burning.
Put It Into Practice
Take a moment to notice the times and places in your day when you tend to rush.
Set an intention: the next time you notice yourself hurrying, pause, close your eyes if you can, and ask God for the grace to preserve that candle within you.