Author ABBOT CHRISTOPHER JAMISON
Publisher PHOENIX
ISBN 978-0-7538-2149-7
Back in 2005 on BBC TV in the UK a series with the title “The Monastery” was screened. It revolved around the experience of five men who responded to an invitation to spend one month in the Benedictine Monastery at Worth Abbey in the UK. The five programs, each of about an hour can still be viewed on You tube and are very interesting indeed. The five men were from diverse backgrounds and the cameras track their problems and progress during their month of submitting to the discipline of the monastic life as presented by Benedict in his rule. This book, written by the Abbot of the monastery is both inspirational and practical. In it the wisdom of St Benedict is presented. Its title suggests that it is encouraging the reader towards a life of peace and righteousness in the midst of a frenetic and self oriented society. Please note that I have written peace and righteousness in that order and not the Biblical order of righteousness and peace. Not that the book does not speak of righteousness, but it is what I would call exploratory, looking at the world’s religions but always from the mainstream of the Christian faith. Jesus does not figure in a central way. It is more a book on ‘spirituality’, a subject so popular nowadays. Spirituality as an alternative to ‘religion’ and through these chapters the Abbot does a good job of focusing on spiritual realities and critiquing the way modern society goes thundering on its way. The book is not a preaching book, not dogmatic, it sets out to present readers with a pathway to have a life of sanctuary. Being a Benedictine monastery means that the rule of St Benedict in its main points provides the framework for the chapters. Most will know of his rule centering on seven steps, silence, contemplation, obedience, humility, community, spirituality and hope. Some of these are regarded as the monastic steps and the five men who agreed to attempt to engage in that way are mentioned throughout the book, but not too much, it more describes the benefits of these steps and in this it could be a helpful book for those Christians who are seeking to live a life relieved of the frenetic pace of the world and find deepening rest in Christ Jesus. An interesting and helpful guidebook that is not a heavy read.
