For aspiring new monastics: what does a new monastic do? What does it look like? Here's a few ideas.
First, new monasticism begins with intention. This is most important. I make a commitment, I choose to be a new monastic. This is the basis of a vowed life. It's an intention to live a certain way; to be a certain kind of person. Formally, intention is renewed periodically in ritual, witnessed by others. Informally, intention is renewed daily.
Second. New monasticism is a practice of life: a complex social activity, a way of living. As such, there are certain disciplines engaged in, habits that make the practice what it is. In the Lindisfarne Community six disciplines make up the practice: Eucharist, Daily Office, Meditation, Mindfulness, Study and Service.
In traditional cloistered monasticism the whole of life was ordered by the rhythms of monastic routine. In a new monasticism, we live immersed in the world. It is a secular monasticism. There are many demands from many directions. If I want to be serious about new monasticism, what exactly am I making a commitment to? Practically, how much time does this take? Here's a very rough guide.
Eucharist: 1-2 hours each week.
Daily Office: 15 minutes-1 hour each day.
Meditation: 15 minutes to 2 hours a day.
Mindfulness: a discipline of the whole of life.
Study: a few hours each week.
Service: for many folk their full-time work will be service. For others a particular form of service for a few hours each week.
In some ways, this is quite demanding. But then, anything worthwhile is. Begin with intention.
+Ab. Andy
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
First, new monasticism begins with intention. This is most important. I make a commitment, I choose to be a new monastic. This is the basis of a vowed life. It's an intention to live a certain way; to be a certain kind of person. Formally, intention is renewed periodically in ritual, witnessed by others. Informally, intention is renewed daily.
Second. New monasticism is a practice of life: a complex social activity, a way of living. As such, there are certain disciplines engaged in, habits that make the practice what it is. In the Lindisfarne Community six disciplines make up the practice: Eucharist, Daily Office, Meditation, Mindfulness, Study and Service.
In traditional cloistered monasticism the whole of life was ordered by the rhythms of monastic routine. In a new monasticism, we live immersed in the world. It is a secular monasticism. There are many demands from many directions. If I want to be serious about new monasticism, what exactly am I making a commitment to? Practically, how much time does this take? Here's a very rough guide.
Eucharist: 1-2 hours each week.
Daily Office: 15 minutes-1 hour each day.
Meditation: 15 minutes to 2 hours a day.
Mindfulness: a discipline of the whole of life.
Study: a few hours each week.
Service: for many folk their full-time work will be service. For others a particular form of service for a few hours each week.
In some ways, this is quite demanding. But then, anything worthwhile is. Begin with intention.
+Ab. Andy
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad