Prologue to the Rule (paragraph 8)
If, however, you find in it anything which seems rather strict, but which is demanded reasonably for the correction of vice or the preservation of love, do not let that frighten you into fleeing from the way of salvation; it is a way which is bound to seem narrow to start with.
(From para. 8 of Prologue to the Rule of Saint Benedict's Rule, trans. by Patrick Barry OSB, 1997.)
This is the way of the mantra, perhaps rather strict, but demanded reasonably to correct alienation and preserve love; it is bound to seem narrow to start with.
Benedict talks about sharing in the sufferings of Christ. "Suffering" can be deeply spiriual. In my meditation, I can see, as St. Raymond of Penyafort points out in a reading for his feast today,that the "cunning spirit troubles the depths of the heart with guile and enticements." Faith and patience will keep me on the narrow way of meditaion.
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