Friday, June 12, 2009

Life at the Abbey

I am reading an interesting book,"The view from a monastery" by Brother Benet Tvedten. The guide for generations of monks has been the rule if St. Benedict which was set in place over 1500 years ago. His basic rules went through some interesting interpretations through the centuries and there are some things that would be good to consider.

"The Rule indicates what St. Benedict disliked: grumbling, laziness, wastefulness, indifference, arrogance. And what he liked: a sense of responsibility, honesty, temperence, simplicity. He gave us a regulated life. He had us profess a vow of stability."

This document of basic daily routine makes for solid reading without demanding heroic virtue. Although I am not ready to move to the abbey, I am fascinated by devout lifestyle that is practical. We tend to complicate things and at times, need to be brought back to simplicity. Life is not all "rocket science".

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