...are almost always a bad idea. Unless one is in a state where emotion and instinct can be trusted 100%.

I’m most certainly not in that position right now – but there’s no point torturing myself over decisions, a little contemplation would be very useful.

It’s very interesting reading QueenoftheHighway’s passage:

Another thing that struck me was that we are often afraid to be silent and alone. Often the thing that frightens us the most is our own soul. But the only way to encounter and deal with both the angels and demons we find in our souls is to be “alone with ourselves” and with God.

It’s very true. I absolutely love being alone and silent to contemplate stuff but that is when it gets difficult. I’m not sure about the actual God thing, but this is certainly one part of Benedictine philosophy which I think is absolutely spot on.