Spiritual Practice

Monastic Mindfulness: A Blend of Harmony, Wholeness, Balance

They will regard all utensils and goods of the monastery as sacred vessels of the altar, aware that nothing is to be neglected.  They should not be prone to greed, nor be wasteful and extravagant...but should do everything with moderation.
Rule of Benedict #31


Balance, the Rule says.  Balance.  And harmony.  And awareness.
What I do not bring to life, life cannot possibly give me...

To live a life of Benedictine awareness means we must come to see what we cannot.  To realize everything speaks of God -

what I have and what I do not have
what I care for and what I do not care for

It's not easy, writes Sister Joan - returning to the Rule which reminds us to 'take care of everything, revere one another....think deeply about life every day'

Take time today, my friends, to savor the gift of this life.


From Chittister, Joan OSB. 1991. Wisdom distilled from the daily: Living the Rule of Saint Benedict today. Harper Collins.