Fr. Theophane Boyd (1930-2003) entered St. Joseph's Abbey in Spencer, Massachusetts, in 1950. During his long monastic life he studied Christian theology and Buddhist contemplative practice, integrating the two into a rich contemplative life. His book The Magic Monastery presents parables designed to break open our normal way of thinking and cause us to review our conditioned assumptions. He served on the North American East-West Dialogue board from 1978 to 2000 and was extensively involved in monastic ecumenical dialogue.
Excerpts
of Theophane's Writing
from Tales of a Magic Monastery
by Theophane the Monk
The Pearl of Great Price
He asked me what I was looking for.
"Frankly," I said, "I'm looking for the Pearl of Great Price."
He slipped his hand into his pocket, drew it out, AND GAVE IT TO ME . It was just like that! I was dumbfounded. Then I began to protest: "You don't want to give it to me ? Don't you want to keep it for yourself? But. . ."
When I kept this up, he said finally, "Look, is it better to have the Pearl of Great Price, or to give it away?" -
Well, now I have it. I don't tell anyone. From some there would just be disbelief and ridicule. "You have the Pearl of Great Price? Hah!" Others would be jealous, or someone might steal it. Yes, I do have it. But there's that question - "Is it better to have it, or to give it away?" How long will that question rob me of my joy?