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 grace the help we need. (From para. 7 of Prologue to The Rule of Saint Benedict's Rule, trans. by Patrick Barry, OSB, 1997.)

When I reflect on what it means to me to "prepare my heart and body", I realize I'm called to a clearing out of attachments. I once heard that, "attachments can cause distorted thinking". The mantra helps me to be free.

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 new day, than to come closer to the truth of who I am, in the reality of the Spirit, with the mantra as my guide.

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.)

What are the highest standards in my life?  Surely, to be faithful to the mantra, to learn to know myself in the light of Christ's love, to let selfishness and fear and judgment and complexity dissolve, so that in utter simplicity I learn to discern my deepest meaning and purpose.

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.)

I'm struck by Benedict's choice of the words "gentle" and "loving", because, as a teacher of meditation, those are two words I rely on to encourage people to say the mantra without harshness or force. The mantra is a word calling me to the Lord, and it is gentle and loving, the way the Lord points out to me the path of life.

Prologue to The Rule (paragraph 3)

Let us open our eyes to the light that can change us into the likeness of God. Let our ears be alert to the stirring call of his voice crying to us everyday: today, if you should hear his voice, do not harden your hearts. (From para. 3 of The Prologue to The Rule from Saint Benedict's Rule, trans. by Patrick Barry, OSB, 1997.)

St. Benedict is urging me to open my eyes, attune my ears, soften my heart. For me, these are the eyes, ears, heart of my spirit and of my body. I need to turn my whole being toward the light.

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.)

I stand waiting to be delivered -- into a new day or a new experience or a new phase of my life -- and the words "child of God" don't strike me with the sentimentality that they sometimes do. They remind me that I am already loved, and I welcome all the vulnerability and strength this freedom gives me. I welcome the loving guidance of my Inner Teacher.

Chapter 73: This Rule is only a beginning

The purpose for which we have written this rule is to make it clear that by observing it in our monasteries we can at least achieve the first steps in virtue and good monastic practice. (From para. 1 of Ch. 73 of Saint Benedict's Rule, trans. by Patrick Barry, OSB, 1997.)

These are welcome words to me today, as consoling as John Main's assurance that, "in meditation, we are all beginners". St Benedict accepts me as I am, offers me both compassion and challenge, and continually reorients me to the other and the Other.