Prologue to the Rule (paragraph 8)

With all this in mind what we mean to establish is a school for the Lord's service. In the guidance we lay down to achieve this we hope to impose nothing harsh or burdensome. 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 The Prologue to the Rule of Saint Benedict's Rule, trans. by Patrick Barry, OSB, 1997.)

In my experience, the mantra has been a way that seemed narrow to start with, and strict, but has proved to me to be demanded reasonably for the correction of egotism, and the preservation of selfless attention. Meditation is a school for the Lord's service.

Prologue to the Rule (paragraph 7)

Well then, brothers and sisters, we have questioned the Lord about who can dwell with him in his holy place and we have heard the demands he makes on such a one; we can be united with him there, only if we fulfil those demands. We must, therefore, prepare our hearts and our bodies to serve him under the guidance of holy obedience. (From para. 7 of The Prologue to the Rule of Saint Benedict's Rule, trans. by Patrick Barry, OSB, 1997.)

What does it mean to prepare my body to serve under the guidance of holy obedience? I am reminded that meditation is the most incarnational form of prayer there is. Thus, even qualities such as physical fitness, moderation, and taking time to "find my seat" for my practice, prepare me to be wholly in the Presence.

Prologue to The Rule (paragraph 6)

The Lord himself in the gospel teaches us the same when he says: I shall liken anyone who hears my words and carries them out in deed to one who is wise enough to build on a rock; then the floods came and the winds blew and struck that house, but it did not fall because it was built on a rock. (From para. 6 of The Prologue to The Rule of Saint Benedict's Rule, trans. by Patrick Barry, OSB, 1997.)

The practice of meditation is the rock that stabilizes me throughout the tumult of my life. So that even when my practice seems mostly to reflect the tumult rather than the rock, I am blessed to know that the rock is there, and that I will find it again.

Prologue to The Rule (paragraph 5)

And so to prepare ourselves for the journey before us let us renew our faith and set ourselves high standards by which to lead our lives. [...] Such a follower of Christ lives in reverence of him and does not take the credit for a good life but believing that all the good we do comes from the Lord, gives him the credit and thanksgiving for what his gift brings about in our hearts. (From para. 5 of The Prologue to The Rule of Saint Benedict's Rule, trans. by Patrick Barry, OSB, 1997.)

I often remember Fr John's description of a monk as "organizing life around an utterly clear priority".  In my life, that utterly clear priority is the practice of meditation,  Fr John has also reminded me that meditation isn't "my" meditation but an opening to the stream of love that flows between the Son and the Father. This immersiveness of meditation can lead to a way of living that expresses God's purpose.

Prologue to The Rule (paragraph 4)

It is to find workers in his cause that God calls out like that to all peoples. He calls to us in another way in the psalm when he says: Who is there with a love of true life and a longing for days of real fulfilment? (From para. 4 of the Prologue to The Rule of Saint Benedict's Rule, trans. by Patrick Barry, OSB, 1997.)

My love of true life is the Spirit calling to me in silence, to be faithful to my meditation practice. What can flow, then, are days of balance, days of real fulfillment in mind, body, spirit.

Prologue to The Rule (paragraph 3)

Let us open our eyes to the light that can change us into the likeness of God. (From para. 3 of The Prologue to The Rule from Saint Benedict's Rule, trans. by Patrick Barry, OSB, 1997.)

St Benedict is telling me nothing less than that there is a light that can change me, change us, into the likeness of God! For me, this light is the mantra, a sound so silent that it is a focussed beam of attention leading me away from self-centeredness to the Other. In this way I can find the clarity to see reality beyond my ideas about reality.

Prologue to The Rule (paragraphs 1-2)

Listen, child of God, to the guidance of your teacher. Attend to the message you hear and make sure that it pierces to your heart, so that you may accept with willing freedom and fulfil by the way you live the directions that come from your loving Father. (From para. 1 of Prologue to The Rule of Saint Benedict's Rule, trans. by Patrick Barry, OSB, 1973.)

At the beginning of this year, I am struck by Benedict's linking of a heart-piercing message with freedom and fullness of spirit. To me, this means that if I accept the grand poverty of the mantra, I will be on the path of transformation, towards true purpose and right relationship.