Structure

We limp along, always seeking God but forever wondering why we must struggle against the lust for perfection, why all the prayers we say are not enough to release us from the albatross of ourselves.1

I feel like I’ve been drifting a bit lately. Not always aimlessly, but drifting nonetheless. That may explain why this post is four days late.

Some of my drifting has to do with the limbo created by the pandemic: it’s as though I’m holding my breath, waiting for the other shoe to drop. But, the main problem is structure, or the lack thereof. Between the stay-at-home directives and a talent for procrastination, my day is kind of formless. The few structured events I do have revolve around our dogs: letting them out, feeding them, walking them, etc. They are definitely creatures of habit.

My drifting affects more than just my daily schedule; It also affects my spiritual life. It too has become sort of formless. But, I’m taking steps. This week I began reading Radical Spirit: 12 Ways to Live a Free and Authentic Life by Joan Chittister. It’s based on Chapter 7 of the Rule of Benedict, a centuries old guide to monastic spirituality. I haven’t thought much about the Rule of Benedict since I was in seminary, and I’m not looking to become a monk, but applying parts of the Rule to my life could give it the structure it’s been lacking. St. Patrick’s College website describes Benedictine spirituality this way:

Benedictine life is built around a fundamental discipline of prayer, work and relationships that is set forth in the Rule and that seeks to free people to take delight in God’s presence within the self, the community and the world.

Isn’t that what we’re all really after, to be free to delight in God’s presence? And as we seek God’s presence, isn’t it good to have a guide? Chittister writes:

Self-understanding, a commitment to spiritual growth, a spiritual tradition that has stood the test of time, and a spiritual guide to companion us on the way are the components of the spiritual journey… The struggle to unbind myself from the passions that hold sway over me takes both discipline and support. The search for a spiritual tradition that points me beyond mere religious ritual to a spiritual “true north” gives me an established path to follow.2

In effect, I don’t have to reinvent the wheel, I can follow an established path and adapt it to my particular circumstances. So, for the next few weeks I will be exploring Chittister’s book in particular and the Rule in general.

I began this blog as a way to publicly continue my spiritual journey. I’ve kind of gotten away from that. If you’re a fellow drifter, let’s see what we can discover together.

God bless. Stay well.

1 Chittister, Joan. Radical Spirit (p. 17). The Crown Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.
2 Chittister, Joan. Radical Spirit (pp. 12-13). The Crown Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.