Chapter 7: The value of humility (paragraph 9)

The third step of humility is to submit oneself out of love of God to whatever obedience under a superior may require of us; it is the example of the Lord himself that we follow in this way, as we know from St Paul's words: he was made obedient even unto death.

(From para. 9 of Ch. 7 of Saint Benedict's Rule, trans. by Patrick Barry OSB, 1997.)

Relationships that mediate the love of Christ require obedience of me.

Chapter 7: The value of humility (paragraph 8)

The second step of humility is not to love having our own way nor to delight in our own desires.

(From para. 8 of Ch. 7 of Saint Benedict's Rule, trans. by Patrick Barry OSB, 1997.)

In having my own way, or delighting in my own desires, I exclude the expansive corrective of relationship from my experience.

Chapter 7: The value of humility (paragraph 7)

And so, if the eyes of the Lord are watching the good and the wicked, and if at all times the Lord looks down from heaven on the sons and daughters of men to see if any show understanding in seeking God, and if the angels assigned to care for us report our deeds to the Lord day and night, we must be on our guard every hour or else, as the psalmist says, the time may come when God will observe us falling into evil and so made worthless.

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

The grace of meditation brings me this insight: Seeking God is knowing that I'm already in relationship with him; "worthlessness" is forgetting that.

Chapter 7: The value of humility (paragraphs 6-7)

As to pursuing our own will we are warned against that when scripture says to us: turn away from your own desires; and in the Lord's prayer itself we pray that his will may be brought to fulfilment in us.

(From para. 6 of Ch. 7 of Saint Benedict's Rule, trans. by Patrick Barry OSB, 1997.)

In the patient practice of meditation, I'm coming, more and more, to understand God's "will" as God's "way". For me this means a constant turning and returning to the source of divine energy within me.

Chapter 7: The value of humility (paragraph 5)

One who follows that way finds protection at all times from sin and vice of thought, of tongue, of hand, of foot, of self-will and of disordered sensual desire, so as to lead a life that is completely open before the scrutiny of God and of his angels who watch over us from hour to hour.

(From para. 5 of Ch. 7 of Saint Benedict's Rule, trans. by Patrick Barry OSB, 1997.)

Wonder-filled awareness of God, selfless attention to God who dwells in my heart, brings order, integration, and harmony to my being. I can be open to life.

Chapter 7: The value of humility (paragraph 4)

The first step of humility is to cherish at all times the sense of awe with which we should turn to God. It should drive forgetfulness away...

(From para. 4 of Ch. 7 of Saint Benedict's Rule, trans. by Patrick Barry OSB, 1997.)

Full of wonder, and aware of the presence of God: The first step of humility puts me in right relation to reality.

Chapter 7: The value of humility (paragraphs 1-3)

The Word of God in scripture teaches us in clear and resounding terms that anyone who lays claim to a high position will be brought low and anyone who is modest in self-appraisal will be lifted up.

(From para. 1 of Ch. 7 of Saint Benedict's Rule, trans. by Patrick Barry OSB, 1997.)

Modesty in self-appraisal suggests a lightness of being to me -- a  detachment from the weight of the ego, making way for expansion of spirit.