#148- Rule of Saint Benedict Part 2

Online Great Books Podcast

Scott and Karl finish discussing the Rule of Saint Benedict, written over 1,500 years ago.

Benedict's careful and comprehensive Rules outline a monastic day of work, prayer, and contemplation. Karl says, "If you're going to do work and prayer, which is the Benedictine motto, this is a really great way to keep people working hard for lifetimes and have a life that they don't hate."

The benefits that the Benedictine way of life can have on your day-to-day routine are hard to ignore. Prayer for Benedict was marked by regularity and fidelity, not mood or convenience. The spiritual life was something to be worked at, not merely hoped for. Scott says, "My days will be more regimented after reading this."

The duo also chews on how this structure, however simple and pure, is really civilization-building. Scott adds, "You can point to Benedict when the trains run on time. There's a thread somehow between those two things."

The Rule of Saint Benedict survives as a masterpiece of spiritual wisdom which is as meaningful today as it was when it was written in the sixth century. Tune in for Part Two of the duo's discussion on the Benedictine way of life, brought to you by onlinegreatbooks.com.