Core Benedictine values include prayer, deep listening, humility, simplicity, community, stability, service, stewardship, hospitality, peacemaking, and inner transformation. I believe these values are important at all stages of life. If people learn these values in their youth, their work during the “fighter” stage will be more purposeful and compassionate, and they will teach these values to their children, by word and example, during the “householder” stage. Then, by the time they transition into the monastic stage, they will already have decades of experience of living these values in various ways, and their work during the monastic stage will be all the more meaningful. On another note, I wouldn’t consider people of 60-70 years of age to be old; many sexagenarians today have decades of productive life ahead of them. But the decades of life behind us at that stage contribute to a more complex, nuanced understanding of the world.
The love and acceptance I have found at CBL has been life-changing and healing. What appeals to me? The rich Benedictine history and contemplative practices. Continuing to grow with the scaffolding of Benedictine (and CBL) values is the path I hope to follow in middle age. 💕
Thanks, Michelle, that is just what we want to be here for! We will be setting up a subscriber forum soon, and I hope to get to know you better. Many hands, you know!
Core Benedictine values include prayer, deep listening, humility, simplicity, community, stability, service, stewardship, hospitality, peacemaking, and inner transformation. I believe these values are important at all stages of life. If people learn these values in their youth, their work during the “fighter” stage will be more purposeful and compassionate, and they will teach these values to their children, by word and example, during the “householder” stage. Then, by the time they transition into the monastic stage, they will already have decades of experience of living these values in various ways, and their work during the monastic stage will be all the more meaningful. On another note, I wouldn’t consider people of 60-70 years of age to be old; many sexagenarians today have decades of productive life ahead of them. But the decades of life behind us at that stage contribute to a more complex, nuanced understanding of the world.
So thankful to have found Center for Benedictine Life and this new journey in the 'householder' stage.
Michelle, we are glad you are here! What about the Benedictine way appeals to you?
The love and acceptance I have found at CBL has been life-changing and healing. What appeals to me? The rich Benedictine history and contemplative practices. Continuing to grow with the scaffolding of Benedictine (and CBL) values is the path I hope to follow in middle age. 💕
Thanks, Michelle, that is just what we want to be here for! We will be setting up a subscriber forum soon, and I hope to get to know you better. Many hands, you know!