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.)
For me, this teaching can apply precisely to the discipline of meditation: Fidelity to the mantra corrects the mind that wanders, the heart that sulks. "It is a way which is bound to seem narrow to start with", as my consciousness finds it way to the Lord.
For me, this teaching can apply precisely to the discipline of meditation: Fidelity to the mantra corrects the mind that wanders, the heart that sulks. "It is a way which is bound to seem narrow to start with", as my consciousness finds it way to the Lord.
“… our hearts expand and we run the way of God’s commandments with unspeakable sweetness of love.” I can’t help but smile at the thought of experiencing the unspeakable, unimaginable sweetness of God’s love. Many times, I feel His pampering. Many times, I feel Him spoiling me. And these are the moments, I chose to remember when I experienced both small and big blows in life.
ReplyDelete“The Rule of Benedict is not a treatise in systematic theology. It’s logic is the logic of daily life lived in Christ and lived well.” (Joan Chittister, OSB, “The Rule of Benedict: Insights for the Ages”). You invite me, once more, Lord, to follow you on the narrow way of daily life, of living on the knife-edged narrow path of the present moment, of loving you and my fellows, here, now. Fidelity to meditation and the mantra slowly teach me how to stay here.
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