Good for now
What would anyone in the 21st century want with a commentary on a monastic rule of the 6th century? C'mon, be realistic. But wait a minute. Let's say you are genuinely curious about the spiritual life, or you just feel uncomfortable with a lack of what you'd consider the spiritual life. Let's say you'd like a door opened. Let's say you'd like a guide who will deepen your inner world and at the same time link it securely to the day-to-day life you are living. This book is for you. Joan is a Benedictine nun who is so in touch with the world around her that the integration of spirit and secular responsibility gives you exactly what you are looking for. The Rule of Benedict is, yes, the backbone of monasticism in the Western world. But it is also a profound and practical exploration of the human condition and its possibilities of spritual renewal. And for a contemporary, insightful explanation of its riches, we have a wonderful gift in Joan Chittister. She writes well, she knows her monastic world and the world around us. Many monasteries now are developing groups to discuss and relate to monastic wisdom "distilled" as she calls it, into the workplace, the family, and the youth of our environment. This is for them and for all of us.