Chapter 7: The value of humility (paragraph 17)

The tenth step of humility teaches that we should not be given to empty laughter on every least occasion because: a fool's voice is for ever raised in laughter.

(Para. 17 of Ch. 7 of Saint Benedict's Rule, trans. by Patrick Barry OSB, 1997.)

I think that if there's empty laughter, there must also be full laughter -- laughter of the soul, full of delight in life, full of joy.  Maybe soul-laughter is even silent sometimes.

Chapter 7: The value of humility (paragraph 16)

The ninth step of humility leads ut to refrain from unnecessary speech and to guard our silence by not speaking until we are addressed.

(From para. 16 of Ch. 7 of Saint Benedict's Rule, trans. by Patrick Barry OSB, 1997.)

In light of Benedict's teaching, perhaps I can understand being "addressed" as being recognized by the spirit, or recognizing the spirit, and speaking from that place of unity. 

Chapter 7: The value of humility (paragraph 15)

The eighth step of humility teaches us to do nothing which goes beyond what is approved and encouraged by the common rule of the monastery and the example of our seniors.

(Para. 15 of Ch. 7 of Saint Benedict's Rule, trans. by Patrick Barry OSB, 1997.)

Is St. Benedict telling me to squelch my initiative?  How could that possibly be, when, in seeking God, I enter more and more into God's creative energy? And yet, I'm grateful to those mentors, and to those who've gone before me in faith, who help me to understand how I'm called to manifest God's energy in the world.

Chapter 7: The value of humility (paragraph 14)

The seventh step of humility is that we should be ready to speak of ourselves as of less importance and less worthy than others, not as a mere phrase on our lips but we should really believe it in our hearts.

(From para. 14 of ch. 7 of Saint Benedict's Rule, trans. by Patrick Barry OSB, 1997.)

My ego is less worthy than another's true nature.

Chapter 7: The value of humility (paragraph 13)

Yet I am always in your presence.

(From para. 13 of ch. 7 of Saint Benedict's Rule, trans. by Patrick Barry OSB, 1997.)

Whatever conditions that I find myself in, unacceptable to my ego, begin to be transformed by this truth.

Chapter 7: The value of humility (paragraph 12)

The fifth step of humility is that we should not cover up but humbly confess to our superior or spiritual guide whatever evil thoughts come into our minds and the evil deeds we have done in secret.

(From para. 12 of Ch. 7 of Saint Benedict's Rule, trans. by Patrick Barry OSB, 1997.)

The practice of selfless attention leads me to appreciate the beauty of the transparent spirit, reflected in the face of one who is truly humble.  That "one" can, with the grace of God, also be me.

Chapter 7: The value of humility (paragraphs 10-11)

The fourth step of humility is to go even further than this by readily accepting in patient and silent endurance, without thought of giving up or avoid the issue, any hard or demanding things that may come our way in the course of that obedience, even if they include harsh impositions which are unjust.

(From para. 10 of Ch.7 of Saint Benedict's Rule, trans. by Patrick Barry OSB, 1997.)

Sometimes willing behavior change makes possible what my weak and injured ego cannot achieve on its own.