Chapter 62: The priests of the monastery
When ordained a monk must be careful to avoid a spirit of self-importance or pride and he must avoid taking on himself any duties to which the abbot has not assigned him. (From para. 1 of Ch. 62 of Saint Benedict's Rule, trans. by Patrick Barry, OSB, 1997.)
My ego likes to make me feel self-important and indispensable, but what's essential is a clear and humble vision of reality.
My ego likes to make me feel self-important and indispensable, but what's essential is a clear and humble vision of reality.
This chapter points out again the importance of the steps of humility that Benedict laid out in the beginning of the Rule. He does not let me forget the subtleties of arrogance that take the form of pride and conceit, and disobedience to the discipline of the rule. In meditation, the need for humility is paramount. I cannot presume to do more than is required which is to meditate twice a day, to be silent, to say my mantra from beginning to end in my heart, and to meditate without expectations or delusions of grandeur.
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