Wise and enduring spiritual guidelines for everyday living -- as relevant today as when The Rule was originally conceived by St. Benedict in fif... read full description
reviews
Jan 04, 2009
Ibrahim
rated it: 
I need this type of books so badly. I am reading it slowly taking it all in. Today I am up to page 20 since English is my second language. I kept saying, yes, yes, to almost everything she said. Here are some things I liked in her book:
-The spirituality we develop affects the way we image God.
-The Rule of Benedict is not a set of spiritual exercises and not a set of proscriptions and not a set of devotions and not a set of disciplines. It is simply a plan of life, a set o More...
-The spirituality we develop affects the way we image God.
-The Rule of Benedict is not a set of spiritual exercises and not a set of proscriptions and not a set of devotions and not a set of disciplines. It is simply a plan of life, a set o More...
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Feb 06, 2010
Chris
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Another read in Africa, 2008. Chittister is a latter-day Benedictine, an ancient Christian monastic group, and writes with moving authority about that life, and perspective, and what it offers us today in our world that has so many opposite values. Found this book beautiful and provocative, but I've always been looking for something, so it's great to read words by someone who's found the middle of everything.
from the book:
from the book:
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Then, as the years went by, I began to understan
Jun 12, 2008
Erika
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I tend to dislike Joan Chittister, and only started reading this book because it was recommended to my by my spiritual director. I couldn't take it. Lots of long, vague lists of ideas that seem to have simply popped into Sr. Chittister's head with no editing and no accompanying practical suggestions. Things like, we need to stop being so selfish and stop trying to get ahead of the Joneses and climbing the corporate ladder. Lots of blatant, inarticulate disdain for business, technology, American
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Oct 23, 2011
Steve
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Fascinating book that explains the Rule of Benedict very simply, and updated for the modern world. Chittister also provides some interesting insights into daily life in the monastic community.
Jun 18, 2009
Alina
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I read this in college, at a time when I didn't always do assigned reading. It was worth reading, and I kept it when I sold the rest of my books.
Jan 12, 2009
Jennifer
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I probably should be a Benedictine. This is a fabulous book that I can pick up and re-read every few years and rediscover wisdom.
Aug 15, 2007
Katy
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I loved this book. In fact, it is one I have gone back to, and plan to continue to return to in the future.
Chitiser, a catholic nun is reinterprating the Rule of St. Benedict for mardern readers. She doesn't fall into the trap of a lot of Catholic writers of speaking only to Catholics. Instead I would arguee that she not only writes for all Christians, but for people of all faiths.
She presents the Rule as a guideline for one living a balanced life. She talks about the st More...
Chitiser, a catholic nun is reinterprating the Rule of St. Benedict for mardern readers. She doesn't fall into the trap of a lot of Catholic writers of speaking only to Catholics. Instead I would arguee that she not only writes for all Christians, but for people of all faiths.
She presents the Rule as a guideline for one living a balanced life. She talks about the st More...
May 06, 2011
Norah
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Far better aide to reading and living the Rule of St Benedict than I had expected. Her insights are very helpful.
Oct 16, 2009
Dianna
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Just finished reading this book and believe that it will be one of my "go back to" reference books.
Aug 29, 2009
Billydinpvd
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Wisdom Distilled from the Daily: Living the Rule of St. Benedict Today by Joan Chittister (1991)
Jul 06, 2011
Renee
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This is a great book for anyone's spiritual library. One to go back to every now and then as spiritual motivation. Her principals are based on the rules of St. Benedict, which are really so standard to living a christian life. The principals are presented in a way that encourages you to live the principals, not just have them hover in the back of your brain.
Apr 25, 2010
Wanda
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This author makes me realize how much I need to change my life. *sigh*
I finished the book last night! A great read from a Sister that does not hold back her punches!!
I finished the book last night! A great read from a Sister that does not hold back her punches!!
Oct 15, 2008
Nate
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This was probably the best book that I've ever read about how to incorporate the Rule of St. Benedict into 21st Century life. It really distills the principles and specific guidelines written in the 5th century, and applies them to living today. So balanced and reasonable. I'd recommend this book to anyone looking for a specific means of developing a deeper, more integrated, sacramental spiritual and secular life.
Dec 07, 2007
Susie
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A different perspective on christian spirituality, based on the model of Benedictine monasteries. But the author goes to great lengths to show how it is applicable to other christians because of the way it addresses issues that everyone meets in their lives. Very wise, deeply profound, encouraging and challenging. Highly recommend it
Jun 16, 2011
~M~
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We used this book during my year of oblate formation and I found it very helpful. Joan Chittister is one of my favorite authors and a vibrant, fascinating live speaker. She makes the Rule accessible to modern people, and gives those of us who follow the Rule a way to move deeper into Benedictine spirituality.
Aug 17, 2009
Suzanne
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I'm reading a chapter / month with a group interested in living the Benedictine Way today. It's an excellent book. My Benedictine group just finished the last chapter this past Sunday. I have highlighted several passages and will refer back to over and over.
Aug 04, 2011
Susan
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This is an excellent, thought-provoking book on living Benedictine spirituality.
Feb 07, 2008
Kate
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No better interpreter of St. Benedict for the modern soul than Joan Chittester.
May 04, 2010
Harvey
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another fine work looking at the Rule of Saint Benedict and how to apply this rule to our daily lives.
May 01, 2010
Cara
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Wonderful book! Written by a great author with her own insight into the Rule of St. Benedict.
Feb 07, 2012
Jan 28, 2012
Jan 26, 2012
