“This advice is from a spiritual father who loves you and gives you the sort of counsel that will shape your whole life.” “Listen, my child. I want you to put the ear of your heart to the solid ground of the master’s wisdom (what I received, I’m passing on to you). It’s advice from a spiritual father who loves you – the sort of counsel you receive by letting it shape your whole life.” So begins the famous opening paragraph of Benedict’s Rule in Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove’s vital, new, contemporary paraphrase. The entire text of the Rule is here plus a lengthy introduction from Jonathan, and detailed explanatory notes throughout that explain difficult passages. The result is a classic re-introduced that will enliven any 21st-century expression of religious community.

A timeless source of wisdom for people looking to lead a life of simplicity, purpose, and serenity The Rule of St. Benedict has governed monastic communities for centuries, but it is far more than a standard religious text. The Rule is, above all, a handbook for living a deliberate life—no matter your religious background or beliefs. It teaches the importance of contemplation and silence, of solitude, and the power of community and unity. With lessons focusing on the simple acts of everyday life, like eating and daily work, along with wisdom for the deeply personal and internal facets of living, such as cultivating humility and practicing forgiveness, The Rule of St. Benedict is a profound guide to living a good and meaningful life. An award-winning translator, Philip Freeman's version of The Rule is beautifully accessible in its language. With a simple and direct style, the book lays out a way of living that is transformative in its simplicity and striking in its power.

The "Rule" of St. Benedict was written in the sixth century by the father of monastic life, St Benedict himself. It towers in the great tradition of Christian Monasticism. Its leading characteristics are its wonderful discretion, moderation, and keen insight into the capabilities and weaknesses of human nature. Here is a common sense approach to arranging life so that Christian spirituality and virtue can be lived out in any community settings - monastic or familial.

A 6th-century handbook for aspiring monks, this masterpiece of spiritual wisdom endures as the preeminent monastic legislative code. Its concise guidance promotes self-discipline, supported by community worship.

This work holds the first place among monastic legislative codes, and was by far the most important factor in the organization and spread of monasticism in the West. St. Benedict's rules of obedience, humility, and contemplation are not only prerequisites for formal religious societies, they also provide an invaluable model for anyone desiring to live more simply.

The Rule of Benedict constitutes a basic guide for living the Christian life and continues to be followed by every Benedictine monastery and convent in the world today. Just the idea that a guide for living could not only last 1500 years but continue to be followed by thousands of people makes its study valuable for monks and nuns as well as laypeople. The Rule offers people a plan for living a balanced, simple, and prayerful life. In it Benedict tells his monks and nuns that ora et labor is their way (work and prayer), that the Divine Office is their work (opus dei) and the vows of stability, conversion, and obedience are their commitments. These vows have much to say to those of us not living in a monastery or convent: Stability Stability refers to the importance of community and commitment in life. For a monk or nun it refers directly to a commitment to the monastery where they will live for the rest of their life. While we all may not be a member of a monastic order, we can make our vow of stability to our families, to our faith communities, to our local and global communities, and to our fellow pilgrims along the journey of faith. The vow of stability also speaks to our current environmental crisis-for when we remain committed to the earth we learn how to be good stewards of that which God has given us. Conversion Conversion is not confined to a one time experience. To a monk or nun, conversion of life reminds them that everything they do is from, for, and with God and that God converts us continually. The vow tells the monastic they are to acknowledge that conversion and be open to it. For those of us not in the monastery conversion is an ongoing process as well, one that helps us walk continually in the presence of God. In order to open our ears to God's voice and our eyes to God's presence among us, Benedict tells us we must keep our hearts and our minds open to the ways that God is moving us. When we block the transformation that God is working within us, then we are not living into the Benedictine Way. An open heart is one that allows balanced practices of prayer, work, study, hospitality, and renewal to illuminate the ways that God is working within us and within the world. Obedience When Benedict wrote his Rule obedience meant what it said: the monk was to be obedient to the Abbot, the Rule, and the Gospels. Obedience can be a heavy word for us today. Yet a healthy, balanced view of obedience - as a way of cultivating a disciplined, intentional life that is yearning to be obedient to God - is a desire that many people in today's world have and this makes the vow of obedience relevant. Obedience can entail a healthy sense of humility - thinking neither less nor more of yourself than who you are - and of respecting and following the guides, leaders, teachers, and fellow travelers who are guiding you on your path. The Rule revolves around five practices: Prayer, Work, Study, Hospitality and Renewal.

Sickened by the post-Roman turmoil of 5th Century Italy, Benedict renounced the world and retired to a life of Christian contemplation in a cave just west of Rome. Revered for his sanctity, local monks asked him to become their abbot. But Benedict's discipline proved too strict - the monks tried to poison him, and he left to establish many small monasteries, eventually founding the famous monastery on Monte Cassino and gaining the title 'Father of Western Monasticism'. This book is the saint's directions for establishing an orderly and pious monastic community, covering, among other matters, the community, authority and obedience, good works, control of speech and thoughts, humility, contemplation, work, vows and hospitality. Full of guidance and inspiration, 'The Rule of St Benedict' is for anyone seeking peace and fulfillment in their life.

2019 Reprint of 1952 Edition. Full facsimile of the original edition, not reproduced with Optical Recognition software. d104 with Latin and English text on opposing pages. Founder of a monastery at Monte Cassino in the sixth century, St Benedict intended his Rule to be a practical guide to Christian monastic life. Based on the key precepts of humility, obedience and love, its aim is to create a harmonious and efficient religious community in which individuals can make progress in the Christian virtues and gain eternal life. Here, Benedict sets out ideal monastery routines and regulations, from the qualities of a good abbot, the twelve steps to humility and the value of silence to such everyday matters as kitchen duties, care of the sick and the suitable punishment for lateness at mealtimes. Benedict's legacy is still strong - his Rule remains a source of inspiration and a key work in the history of the Christian church.