Always We Begin Again: The Benedictine Way of Living [Paperback]

John McQuiston II (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 1996

When an attorney with a busy commercial practice went searching for a italy balanced life, he found the blueprint for it in the sixth-century text of St. Benedict's Rule. McQuiston interprets and restates the ancient system of spiritual living, enabling today's reader to understand and make use of its remarkable insights.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Always We Begin Again provides much food for thought and the escape it offers is much different from the entertaining courtroom novels of other lawyer-authors. The enjoyment or provocation of this book is not diminished after the first reading; rather it is destined to provoke new reflections and insights with each reading. This book can service to help its readers escape a frenetic pace of life and seek a more balanced approach to living and to peace of mind." -- Memphis Bar Association

"This is a wonderful little book and one could begin to form a more ordered life by reading and trying to absorb a chapter a day." -- R.I. Episcopal News

"This slim volume was written by an attorney whose desire for a more profound connection with the spiritual life led him to the Benedictine's door. Written in the 6th century, the original Rule of St. Benedict emphasized discipline and routine and caused a small revolution in monastic life. McQuiston has adapted the rule for modern folks, using language that would not exclude followers of any faith. Simple it may be, yet it is moving and powerful in its quiet grace. A lovely guideline for daily spiritual life." -- Napra ReView

"Thoughts on the Benedictine way of living. Good for Oblates." -- MONOS

From the Publisher

A restatement of the ancient Rule of St. Benedict that enables people to understand and apply its remarkable insights to life, work, and prayer in the twenty-first century world. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 104 pages
• Publisher: Morehouse Publishing (April 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0819216488
• ISBN-13: 978-0819216489
• Product Dimensions: 5.8 x 3.9 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #629,101 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

34 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Timeless wisdom made available, March 14, 2003

By 

Michael P. McGarry (San Francisco, CA United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Always We Begin Again: The Benedictine Way of Living (Paperback)

This little book is, I think, a small miracle. St. Benedict (480 - 543), really the designer of monasticism as it existed in the Western World, wrote his Rule to guide monks through a life of discipline to spiritual realization. There's a great deal of wisdom on that rule, but unfortunately much of it is inaccessable to secular people in the 20th century --- many of us are not strictly Christian these days, most of us not monks or nuns, we live in a much more complex world than existed in the 6th century, etc.

A couple years ago, John McQuiston apparently set out on a search for spiritual principles by which to live in everyday life. He found the Rule of Benedict, and recognizing it's inherent wisdom despite the limitations of its original assumed context. He "translated" the Rule, changing Christian symbols to more universal images, changing allusions to monastic asceticisms to analogous practices possible in the modern secular world. The result is an extremely accessible text that transmits (I think) the core values of St. Benedict's message, values that lead us from a self-centeredness & entrapment in the contingencies of daily life to expansion, clarity, and connection with meaning & Mystery.

The book is small --- each "chapter" really only takes a minute or two to read, so I have been finding it very helpful as a reflection before meditating, before going to bed, etc. I have also been find that these tiny sections reveal more and more upon rereading. I love this book because, on the one hand, it's not "more to read" in the sense of some onerous task, and yet each small investment of time pays richly in inspiring themes on which to reflect for days. It is idea for any busy person in the modern world seeking a life of greater depth and meaning.

24 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Benedict for every man/woman., January 14, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Always We Begin Again: The Benedictine Way of Living (Paperback)

This little book can lead people to inspect their lives and try to improve on them. The Rule of Benedict is to be read everyday, a little at a time, and then as the title says, Always We Begin Again. Even the less astute can find thoughts to guide them in dealing with the day to day issues of living.

The book is not meant to be the full Rule of Benedict, but the author has reworded it to fit a busy life that is not cloistered, but one that has to deal with runny noses, car pools, bossy bosses, and impossible clients.

The author also offers some suggestions on using meditation/prayer time in a busy schedule.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A worthwhile distillation, May 11, 2001

By 

R. J. Marsella (California) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Always We Begin Again: The Benedictine Way of Living (Paperback)

While not a detailed examination of the Rule Of ST. Benedict this remains an inspiring little book. I particularly come back often to the chapter entitled "the twelve steps to humility." I understand that the lack of a direct reference to God may put off some and the desire of the author to use this material in a universalist rather than a purely Christian context strays from the original intent there are nonetheless some thoughtful passages that deserve to be read and re-read.