A Monastic's Viewpoint


After more than 50 years of living the monastic life I have
acquired a few attitudes about life and hopefully a bit of wisdom. Many of my viewpoints come from the Rule of St. Benedict who based his precepts on Scripture. The Rule contains teachings on silence, humility, good zeal, prayer, simplicity, good works, and other aids to holiness. St. Benedict established a "school for the Lord's service" so we who live in monasteries are continually learning how to be better people. In addition to Benedictine monastics, many lay people find this Rule helpful in living a good Christian life in the world.

I believe that most people are trying to do the right thing, but because of family background, lack of opportunity, or poor choices, some fail to grow and become their best selves. But God continues to love us and give us more chances to begin anew each day. Sometimes we need other people to help us continue the struggle, sometimes we can help others to keep going. We are all in this boat together. No one reaches the other shore alone. 


Comments

  1. Dee14 February 2015 at 09:49

    Dear Barb, hello and thank you for so succinctly summing up the beauty of monastic life. That is, living in Oneness with others. Peace from Dee

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