Chapter 57: Members of the community with creative gifts
If there are any in the community with creative gifts, they should use them in their workshops with proper humility, provided that they have the permission of the superior.
(From para. 1of Ch. 57 of Saint Benedict's Rule, trans. by Patrick Barry OSB, 1997.)
My understanding of "creative gifts" is expanding. On one hand, it includes a growing quality of selfless attention when I practice my own art, and perhaps share my art with others. On the other hand, creativity begins to characterize the experience of my interaction with all creatures, with all of creation.
To put whatever I do in proper perspective , this Rule Chapter directs me to the very first part of the Prologue, that every time I begin a work I must pray to God to bring it to perfection. Many times when cooking something special or completing a difficult project by placing attention in the heart and on the mantra, the ego desires for praise and self-perfection are displaced. They are replaced by joy in service of the other.
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