Here we continue our look at the classical tradition of Christian spiritual formation by examining the Benedictine vow of stability – the commitment to stay put, to stay engaged in our most valuable relationships and to work out the discipline of love within them. Our 21st century culture is more mobile and virtual than ever,...
Tag: rule of st. benedict
Loving God 201, Part 2: Second Rule of the Spiritual Life
This is an episode about the commitment to endurance and its essential role in the process of our spiritual formation. Classically, we are warned that one of the most deadly poisons to the spiritual life is despair. And by despair we don’t mean depression, sadness, frustration…even very serious doubt. Despair is surrender. As Martin Thornton...
Loving God 201, Part 1: First Rule of the Spiritual Life
As we take our next step in our understanding of Christian spiritual practice, it is essential to remember that the goal of our practice is not “discipline,” but relationship. We are not aiming to be good at “spirituality,” but to love – and, ultimately, to be loved by – God. Relationship does require discipline (and thus...