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Saint Benedict for the Laity

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Eric Dean, a professor, Presbyterian minister, and ecumenical oblate of Benedict for several decades, has put together an interesting and useful guide for following the Rule of St. Benedict, a guide for persons not formally trained in spiritual disciplines or theology, but rather those who seek personal fulfillment and structure to their spiritual quest. The Rule of Benedict is best served in connection with a community, but there are parts that are useful for instruction and inspiration in private practice, too.

Benedict's Rule for life includes worship, work, study, prayer, and relaxation. Benedict's Rule requires community -- even for those who become hermits or solitaries, there is a link to the community through worship and through the Rule. No one is alone. This is an important part of the relationship of God to the world, so it is an integral part of the Rule.

Benedict's Rule was set out first in a world that was torn with warfare, economic and political upheaval, and a generally harsh physical environment. This Rule was set out to bring order to a general chaos in which people lived. This is still true today, and men and women all over the world use Benedict's 'little rule for beginners' as a basic structure for their lives.

The first word of the rule is Listen. This is perhaps the best advice for anyone looking for any guidance or rule of life. While Benedict's Rule is decidedly Christocentric and hierarchical (though not as hierarchical as much popular ideas about monastic practice would have one think), it nonetheless can give value to any reader who is looking to construct a practice for oneself.

Benedict's establishment of a monastery was in fact the establishment of a school for spirituality. In his prologue to the Rule, Benedict even states this as his intention. In drawing up its regulations, he intends to set down 'nothing harsh, nothing burdensome.' He sets forth in this brief rule a guide to individual life within community that will bring one ever closer to the divine.

Benedict explores the issues of charity, personality, integrity, and spirituality in all of his rules. From the clothing to the prayer cycle to the reception of guests, all have a purpose that fits into a larger whole, and all have positive charges and negative warnings. Benedict is especially mindful of the sin of pride, be it pride of possession, pride of person, pride of place -- he strives for equality in the community (as a recognition that all are equal before God).

Dean's book is not a handbook on Benedictine spirituality per se, but rather an introduction to those parts of the Benedictine practice that can be useful and adapted to life outside the monastery. Dean is himself an oblate member of a Benedictine order - oblates are those who live outside the monastic community, but have ties to the community materially and spiritually, and adapt the Rule of Benedict to fit a secular life, with due reverence and concern for God.

Dean recounts personal experiences in his own growth toward oblature, as well as lessons learned from key aspects of the Rule. The Rule is restructured according to different, more modern topics. While it is not absolutely required, it is helpful to have a copy of the actual Rule of Benedict (available in any number of translations) to accompany this text.

This is a book of only 100 pages, but it can take a long time to read if one does so properly - Dean's book should be read slowly and intently, letting the spirit form: this is reading for formation, not information.

I actually purchased this book in 1999 when I went on a silent retreat with a prayer group at a Benedictine monastery. As I observed and participated in the daily office, I couldn't help but wonder what application I could find in my ordinary life when I returned to work. Wow did things jump out at me!

My first underlined passages involved a conversation of domination, and the difference of domination by power rather than authority. We resent those who use powe to try to control us, but it is easy to aquiesse to authority. When we can trust our leaders, we do not resent listening to them. God's power over us is based on the incredible Holiness of God. The authority of the Abbot in a monastery comes from the fact that the Abbot is chosen by his peers based on their trust in him.

The word Pope comes from Papa, and the word Abbot comes from Abba, the same meaning. Imagine holding a position with that in mind, that incredible responsibility that comes with being a parent.

A second area that I wrestled with as I read this was obedience and humility, not exactly attributes we value as adults today. And yet, the book shares how these attributes can actually be freeing.

But perhaps the most intriguing section for me was on praying the office. The author shares that through the constancy of prayer, we begin to understand the meaning of prayer. The more times we pray through the Psalms, the more we are able to focus on the words and meanings. The best analogy I can use is that of dancing. The better you know the moves, the more you can enjoy it.

There are many other gems inside of this treasure box, so much so that I have reread my book till it is falling apart. Definitely a keeper.

This commentary is written from the perspective of a Presbyterian minister so it brings a different view of the Benedictine life from those written by Catholics and Anglicans who are more familiar with the Religious Life of Monasticism.

Decidedly centered in Christ, the Rule of Benedict speaks well to those who seek a disciplined and structured life in the Spirit. Dean's book is focused on the parts of the Rule which can be adapted to life outside the monastery especially for Oblates and those Benedictine Communities that are experimenting with life outside the monastic walls. Dean is himself an Oblate of an ecumenical abbey and spends some time discussion his own journey to becoming and being an Oblate

Sometimes a bit ponderous, this book is probably not the best for someone beginning to explore Benedictine Spirituality for their own life. For that, Norene Vest's devotional commentary Preferring Christ would probably be better.