Ascending the stairs to Peace House’s meditation hall, you might notice a large black and white photograph. Look closely. It’s James Baldwin. Its 1963 and he’s speaking to some teenagers in front of Jo-Jo's Chicken House in New Orleans.

We can’t all live as nuns or monks. But we can develop habits of heart embodied in the monastic life that hold enduring wisdom. We can both recognize and follow the monastic impulse that exists within each of us, calling us to slow down and return to the center, even if it’s just for a short while. 

Buddhist teachings tell us the place to start is by slowing down. “Bring your mind to noble silence” said the Buddha. “Unify your mind in noble silence. Concentrate your mind in noble silence.” The Buddha points not simply to physical silence but to what that silence produces: a deep inner stillness from which clarity can emerge.

Peace House is, first and foremost, a monastic residence. Within its walls, ordained Theravadan Buddhist monks study and practice, preserving the Buddha’s teachings, offering spiritual guidance, and radiating mettā (loving-kindness) to sentient beings everywhere.

At Peace House, we offer a particular form of nourishment. Call it “Vitamin Q”. For Quiet. Our humble mission is to provide space and time to quiet the mind for awhile – pausing long enough to hear the inner voice of wisdom that is too often drowned out by all the noise and activity of our daily lives.