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Summary: The Rule of Benedict: Insights for the Ages
Review: As a Benedictine of 41 years, this is the first commentary on the Rule of St. Benedict which I have read (and I have ready MANY) that has made the Gospel lifestyle contemporary and relevant. Chittister has taken the experiences of a lifetime and correlated them with the Rule. Not an easy task, but she has achieved it remarkably well. This book is at once homey and scholarly. Common sense pervades this easy to read guide. It is the only commentary which I have read more than twice. It is the only commentary which seems to have captured the essence of St. Benedict's Rule and subsequently, the Gospels.
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Summary: The Rule of Benedict-Insights for the Ages
Review: Chittister's "The Rule of Benedict" was one of the main commentaries on "The Rule" I referred to in writing the recently published book, THE FAMILY CLOISTER: BENEDICTINE WISDOM FOR THE HOME, by David Robinson (New York, NY: Crossroad, April 2000). Joan Chittister builds a sturdy bridge between 6th century Italian monastic life and my daily life as a husband, father and 21st century Christian, unveiling the wisdom of Benedict for our home and family.
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Summary: Makes the Rule accessible to beginners
Review: I am relatively new to Benedictine spirituality, and have found this commentary to be extremely helpful in thinking about how the Rule applies to my life as a person in a secular setting in the 21st century. The text is divided into small chunks with commentary between, with dates for when to read each piece. It's helpful to have the dates so that if you are connected to a monastic community you are reading in sync with the rest of the community. I have also found that reading small portions in the way it is set out here is helpful to pace my reading so I take the time to consider the text and the insights offered.Chittister does an excellent job of providing reflections on the Rule that are understandable and applicable to people in a broad variety of life situations. Often when I first read a section of the text I think, "How can this possibly be relevant to me? What does it mean in my situation?" (e.g. sections on the content of particular prayers or where the monks should sleep, etc). Chittister describes and explains these texts in ways that give me a lot to think about and make them relevant to me personally. She tends to extract and explain some of the underlying issues (e.g. what would Benedict have been thinking to write this? What would it have meant in the original context) and then makes ties to the modern world. All in all an excellent commentary for both beginners and more experienced monastics.
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Summary: The Rule of Benedict-Insights for the Ages
Review: I have read several books on the Rule and I think that this one and "Wisdom Distilled from the Daily" by Joan Chittister are some of the most clearly written ones I have read. The down-to-earth language is just what I need to improve my understanding of the subject, since I am just beginning my studies of it. I also appreciate that the entire Rule is divided so that it can be read each day as food for thought in manageable portions.
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Summary: Refreshingly relevant; an excellent interpretation!
Review: Joan Chittister brings a refreshing and relevant perspective to an ancient rule for Christian living. This interpretation which is grounded in common sense, delights the reader with humor and yet makes accessible a lifestyle which has guided holy men and women for centuries. Her scholarship embraces quotes from other religious traditions, thus emphasizing the fundamental unity of humanity in its search for holiness; yet she neither becomes esoteric nor pedantic. She is adept in contrasting the Gospel mindset with modern social issues. Indeed, her knack for connecting the ordinary aspects of daily living to the process of the spiritual journey has created a spiritual guide which is both readable and do-able. She has divided the Rule into readings for each day of the year, allowing the reader to reflect upon the wisdom and insights which have made the Rule of St. Benedict an enduring benchmark for Christian living for almost 1500 years. There are many interpretations of Benedict's Rule available; but this author's ability to convey her lived experience in following the Rule and the compassion contained within it is rare gift. Extremely well done!
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Summary: It captures the spirit of the Gospels and St.Benedict!
Review: St. Benedict wrote his rule based upon the spirit of the Gospels and Joan Chittister has captured the true spirit of both. Jesus asked the crowds to examine their motivations and actions and the author continues that skein of query using the Rule of Benedict as a springboard. This is the best spiritual work I have ever read outside of the Bible; it is clear, insightful, and yes, even makes the reader confront the inner self which is what every good spiritual writing should do. Simply wonderful.
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Summary: A Rule for Living Now
Review: The Rule of St. Benedict is the basis for Western monasticism. Given that it was written well over 1000 years ago for men living together in community, it's a bit hard to translate for everyday circumstances today. Sister Joan's commentary is, for the most part, spot on and helpful. Every once in a while she veers to the left and you get the feeling she's talking about some particular incident in her own Benedictine life which remains mysterious to the reader. This is rare, though, so enjoy!
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Summary: Insights For Us
Review: While the sub-title of this great volume is "Insights for the Ages," it is certainly brilliant material for our time here in the early 21st century. St. Benedict's Rule was originally written in the Sixth Century (A.D.). Furthermore, it is the most widely used life-guide in modern western monasticism. Joan Chittister takes Benedict, word-for-word-intact, and brings him into our contemporary situations. She illustrates the universal and fundamental insights of Benedict and how they are highly compatible with Hindu, Sufi, Toaist, Zen, Jewish and other major thought/values traditions.
An added benefit is Chittister's editorial technique of dividing Benedict's Rule and her associated commentaries into specific dates on the annual calendar. This enables the serious reader/reflector to read over each mini section of the rule and this associated, wonderful commentary on three different dates each year.
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