Maturity shows itself above all in deepening our dependence on God which is at the heart of the monastic commitment. This involves not prim-arily thinking about one's own needs, problems, sins or fears. It is about the healing of the eyes of the heart so that they may see God. On our journey towards the life of the Risen Christ, every trial, fear and failure can be overcome if only we remain receptive and responsive to the grace of God. Not letting the sun go down on our anger is one way we Cistercians try to protect the bond of peace between us, remembering that St. Benedict counsels us not to make a false peace.
Restlessness is part of the human condition, especially today with so much emphasis on activism.
The pilgrim monk, on his search for God within the monastic environs, strives especially to avoid aimless wandering. There is a danger that contemplative- monks can get lost in the midst of the many preoccupations which make up monastic life. By keeping in mind that God is nearer to us than we are to ourselves and that our journey is made mainly in the heart, we strive to pray while talking, walking, resting, working, meditating and resting. This does not mean that a monk stays in the monastery for the sake of remaining anchored in one physical place. He remains in the midst of the monastic community to which he engages himself in a life-long commitment.