Benedictine wisdom in the monastery and beyond

St. Benedict’s teachings have informed the Benedictine monastic tradition for centuries. It’s a philosophy guided by core values like moderation and community. And for monks, these teachings and actions have been a time-tested means for living a holier life.

But the lessons we find in The Rule of St. Benedict also have great application to our world today—beyond just the monastery. Whether you’re interested in learning how to become a monk—or acknowledge a draw to Benedictine teachings—let’s explore some of the most significant practices of the order.

Balance and moderation

While writing The Rule in the 6th century, St. Benedict noticed two extremes in the world around him: an over-indulgence in worldly pleasures and a retreat into rigid stoicism. For those seeking a holier life, one may have been torn between seeking heroic feats and engaging in constant denial.  St. Benedict presented a third path, dictated by consistency, rhythm and moderation.

In The Rule, he presents a daily structure, centered around balance. Regular monks’ prayer (ora) pairs with meaningful honest work (labora).  Lectio Divina sets aside time for reading and studying Scripture. And in between, there are set periods for rest and meals to foster community.

You can learn more about The Rule of St. Benedict here.

Integral to these practices is the belief that boundaries and balance create freedom. For example, there is moderation in food and drink—neither fasting to excess nor eating to gluttony. Work is practiced steadily, avoiding both burnout and idleness.

Surely, you’ve noticed how our world can, at times, glorify hyperproductivity and overstimulation. Consider how opportunities for moderation may present themselves in your life. Are you over-indulging, perhaps in modes of escapism? Or maybe you engage in strict self-denial to an unnecessary degree. Does your work reflect a healthy level of effort?

For Benedictine monks, balance isn’t an end goal. It’s a constant practice. And regardless of your relationship to the Benedictines, asking these questions is the first step towards following their model for moderation.

Silence as moderation

Speech is also an opportunity for Benedictine monks to practice moderation. Broadly, monks are taught to speak when it builds others up and remain silent when it doesn’t.

That means for a Benedictine monk, speech isn’t forbidden. It’s thoughtful. And to St. Benedict, it was also a means of spiritual discipline. At monasteries like St. Bede’s, silence helps monks protect what is sacred, avoid sin and cultivate an inner stillness.

Practicing silence is also seen as an opportunity to listen closer to God. St. Benedict believed that God speaks not only through Scripture or liturgy, but also in those moments only found in silence. This might occur during a monk’s prayer time or during other quiet moments.

The more we talk, the less we listen. As such, silence is a chance to grow in wisdom and invite the deep listening necessary to discern before we react. Similarly, silence is a chance to make space for others, to let them be heard and feel safe in revealing themselves.

Maybe you can stand to be a little more silent in your interactions. We can all work on listening better and holding space in conversation. But also consider the content of your interactions. Refrain from gossip or language that may hurt others. Pause and wait for kindness and good will to inspire what you say.

You can learn more about silence in monastic life here.

Community and hospitality

“Let all guests who arrive be received like Christ, for He is going to say: I came as a guest and you received Me.”—The Rule of St. Benedict, Chapter 53

Benedictine communal living—like at our monastery in Illinois—is a chance for monks to be shaped by each other. The Rule notes that community is not easy. It assumes conflict and clashes of personality. In his writing Benedict insists that monks strive for forgiveness, mutual support and love as an answer to these challenges.

Whether or not you live with someone else, there are obvious ways we can better engage with the people we are closest to. The first is simply showing up—for everything from birthdays to boring errands. Additionally, we must resist the temptation to isolate when relationships get challenging. Remaining engaged and continual effort is key.

The Benedictine approach to hospitality is similar to its teachings surrounding community. It all begins with being fully present. Attention is given freely, not out of obligation. Additionally, Benedictine monks are taught to be generous in spirit. Even if they don’t have much to give, the effort is still there.

Monks practice hospitality non-judgmentally, avoiding assumptions and labels. When a monk at St. Bede’s welcomes a guest, they welcome that whole person, no matter their beliefs or the challenges they bring.

You may not expect guests in the same way as we do at our monastery in Illinois. But we all have opportunities to welcome others into our spaces. When you do so, strive to do it with full presence and no judgement. Carry a spirit of generosity with you when you do it. And remember that, according to Benedictine teachings, hospitality doesn’t just change the guest. It transforms the host.

You can learn more about Benedictine hospitality here.

The wisdom of St. Benedict shapes the experience of every monk—whether at St. Bede’s or another monastery. And they’re certainly applicable to all of our lives, even outside of monastic life.

 But perhaps these examples have led you to ask: “how do I become a monk?” If you’re interesting in joining us at our monastery in Illinois, consider reaching out to discuss your next steps by submitting a form at this link.