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.)

Meditation, it seems to me, is also a school for the Lord's service. The practice of the mantra is strict, demanded reasonably for the correction of vice or the preservation of love, and is a way which is bound to seem narrow to start with.

Prologue to the Rule (paragraph 7)

We must, therefore, prepare our hearts and bodies to serve him under the guidance of holy obedience. Conscious in this undertaking of our own weakness let us ask the Lord to give us through his grace the help we need. (From para. 7 of Prologue to The Rule of Saint Benedict's Rule, trans. by Patrick Barry, OSB, 1997.)

Preparing my heart, my body... acknowledging weakness. Conscious of my own weakness and asking for grace. This, to me, is the essence of the discipline that I long for. Accepting my limitations only long enough to let the infinite potential of my Creator live in me, or I in it.

Prologue to The Rule (paragraph 6)

For that very reason also, so that we may mend our evil ways, the days of our mortal lives are allowed us as a sort of truce for improvement. (From para. 6 of Prologue to The Rule of Saint Benedict's Rule, trans. by Patrick Barry, OSB, 1997.)

I associate the word "truce" with warfare, but the roots of the word are in "truth". What better reason for me to live each day, than to come closer to the truth of who I am in the expanding Spirit.

Prologue to The Rule (paragraph 5)

And so now to prepare ourselves for the journey before us let us renew our faith and set ourselves high standards by which to lead our lives. (From para. 5 of Prologue to The Rule of Saint Benedict's Rule, trans. by Patrick Barry, OSB, 1997.)

I can't think of any higher standard than living in the unitive consciousness of love. It's a standard to which I will fall short, and remember only intermittently. But it's the same love in which I aspire to live that is already sustaining me.

Prologue to The Rule (paragraph 4)

What gentler encouragement could we have, my dear brothers and sisters, than that word from the Lord calling us to himself in such a way! We can see with what loving concern the Lord points out to us the path of life. (From para. 4 of Prologue to The Rule of Saint Benedict's Rule, trans. by Patrick Barry, OSB, 1997.)

That gentle and encouraging word that Benedict speaks of, can also be understood in my experience as the mantra. Just as meditation is not "my" meditation, perhaps the mantra is not "my" mantra, either, but is, in the first place, the word from the Lord calling me to himself.

Prologue to The Rule (paragraph 3)

However late, then, it may seem, let us rouse ourselves from lethargy. That is what scripture urges on us when it says: the time has come for us to rouse ourselves from sleep. Let us open our eyes to the light that can change us into the likeness of God. (From para. 3 of Prologue to The Rule of Saint Benedict's Rule, trans. by Patrick Barry, OSB, 1997.)

However late, then, it may seem, being in the presence of God is not something I "missed". The presence is here, now, and so it is never too late for me to open my eyes to the light that can change me into the likeness of God, the timeless light.

Prologue to The Rule (paragraphs 1-2)

This, then, is the beginning of my advice: make prayer the first step in anything worthwhile that you attempt. (From para. 2 of Prologue to The Rule of Saint Benedict's Rule, trans. by Patrick Barry, OSB, 1997.)

At the beginning of the Prologue, Benedict links prayer to obedience, and so it seems to me that prayer becomes my request, my consent, for the grace to be obedient. Through obedience, anything I attempt becomes worthwhile, and so gradually my prayer for obedience becomes the song of my day.