How to Be a Monastic and Not Leave Your Day Job: A Guide for Benedictine Oblates and Other Christians Who Follow the Monastic Way

by Benet Tvedten

Overview

Discussion around the bestseller The Benedict Option by Rod Dreher has led many people to want to know more about Benedictine principles.

Originally written for monks, the principles in the Rule of St. Benedict may be applied by anyone -- and in today's hectic, changing world, following its principles offers a rich spiritual connection to the stability and wisdom of monastic life. This essential guide explains how people who live and work in "the world" are still invited to balance work with prayer, cultivate interdependence with others, practice hospitality, and otherwise practice their spirituality like monks.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781612614144
Publisher:	Paraclete Press
Publication date:	09/01/2013
Series:	Voices from the Monastery
Pages:	160
Sales rank:	473,659
Product dimensions:	5.40(w) x 7.90(h) x 0.50(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Brother Benet Tvedten entered Blue Cloud Abbey in Marvin, South Dakota in 1958. He has been his community's Director of Oblates for nearly thirty years, and held the position of Coordinator of the North American Association of Oblate Directors between 1995 and 1999. He is the author of A View from a Monastery and How to Be a Monastic and Not Leave Your Day Job.

Table of Contents

Preface to the New Edition 1

Introduction 7

Part 1 St. Benedict and Benedictine Spirituality 19

What Is Benedictine Spirituality? 21

Seeking and Finding God Today and Every Day 39

"Running" According to the Rule 43

Part 2 Benedictine Values for Daily Living 47

Climbing the Ladder 49

Benedictine Ways of Behaving 55

Peace and Justice 61

Hospitality 67

Part 3 Being an Oblate 73

Origins of the Oblates 75

The Calling to Oblation 87

Conversion and Stability 107

Five Simple Guidelines for Oblates 115

The Value of Oblates to a Monastic Community 119

Conclusion: The Oblate's Prayer 129

Afterword to the New Edition 131

Acknowledgments 137

Sources 139

Recommended Reading 143

Editorial Reviews

"[Brother Benet] brings a wealth of insight and wisdom to his work as an Oblate Director and this book reflects the depth of his abilities to make the Benedictine tradition accessible to those of us who seek God as Oblates. Do not miss this work from someone who has made the Benedictine tradition 'real' for so many of us who seek to live a monastic way of life but cannot leave our 'day jobs'!" --David A. Zinz, Christianbook.com

From the Publisher