Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #48726 in Books
• Published on: 1999-10
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 160 pages

Customer Reviews

Testimony to the continuing value of St Benedict’s Rule
St Benedict wrote his Rule, a detailed book of instructions for monastic living, in the early 6th century, and thousands of Benedictine monks and nuns lead lives based on it to this day. In this book Esther de Waal gives a concise introduction to St Benedict’s Rule aimed at modern lay people. The monastic life that St Benedict envisaged is not one of great asceticism: rather work, prayer, and study are to be held in balance, and all of them are to be done to the glory of God. (He memorably urges monks to treat kitchen utensils with the same respect as the altar vessels). St Benedict’s understanding of the difficulties of communal living and his compassionate view of human frailty are both wise and practical, and often sound disarmingly modern. Whilst most of the specific prescriptions of the Rule are of little relevance to present day lay people, the spirit of it undoubtedly is. For those wishing to know more about it this is an excellent place to start.

Testimony to the continuing value of St Benedict�s Rule
St Benedict wrote his Rule, a detailed book of instructions for monastic living, in the early 6th century, and thousands of Benedictine monks and nuns lead lives based on it to this day. In this book Esther de Waal gives a concise introduction to St Benedict's Rule aimed at modern lay people. The monastic life that St Benedict envisaged is not one of great asceticism: rather work, prayer, and study are to be held in balance, and all of them are to be done to the glory of God. (He memorably urges monks to treat kitchen utensils with the same respect as the altar vessels). St Benedict's understanding of the difficulties of communal living and his compassionate view of human frailty are both wise and practical, and often sound disarmingly modern. Whilst most of the specific prescriptions of the Rule are of little relevance to present day lay people, the spirit of it undoubtedly is. For those wishing to know more about it this is an excellent place to start.

Beautifully written and organised
Recommended for both readers already familiar with St. Benedict's Rule, on which the book is based, and those who are not; it is explained beautifully throughout the prose and the chapters clearly divided up into 1. The Invitation, 2. Listening, 3. Stability, 4. Change, 5. Balance, 6. Material Things, etc.

Possibly not to be recommended for a non-Christian seeking God (perhaps caught by the title), because of the book's clear Benedictine focus.

A great book for those interested in living their daily lives better.