Wisdom Distilled from the Daily: Living the Rule of St. Benedict Today

This is by far one of the clearest explanations of The Rule of Benedict and examples of living Benedictine Spirituality that I have read. Catholic, Christian or not, one can find relevance.

I am not Catholic but Wisdom Distilled from the Daily is most likely the most profound, life changing book I have ever read. Chittister truly brings the Rule into the lives of the 21st century. I beg anyone who is even slightly intrigued, to read this book. Live this book. It is an excellent source with the opportunity to change our society, or communites!

This is a good book for anyone interested in things Benedictine, but don't know where to start. The Rule itself is a very ancient document, and to understand it requires a good commentary from a variety of sources, including Joan Chittister.She is overly verbal and is prone to beating an idea to death. Her political pretension s come sneaking in and can be a little cloying and because of that her writing is replete with inconsistencies and contradictions. She is prone to sweeping generalizations that gather up the dross with the silver, which Kurt Godell demonstrated some 90 years ago, is both confusing and destabilizing. For this reason she should be read with care and read along with other commentators who do not share her point of view.

Read before reading Rule of Benedict

Joan Chittister writes another beautiful book bringing the wisdom from the ancient spiritual guidebook into the modern world. How can we properly live into community and spirituality today? Benedict, with help from Chittister, has words of wisdom to guide and enlighten us. Spirituality is not something far away or unattainable, but instead close to our hearts and lives. The book is worth reading for longtime practitioners and seekers alike.

This book really gave me a new and fresh perspective on practical approaches on building The Kingdom of God in our world. The smallest act will have an impact on the whole - making it or breaking it. Wonderful book to read, reflect, and re-read. So grateful for the recommendation from my Spiritual Director.

This is the best book that I have read in a very long time. My husband and I recently became oblates and have started reading through the Rule of St. Benedict. I was having such a hard time applying his ancient wisdom to my modern life. This book changed everything! With each chapter I found myself being challenged and encouraged to strive for godliness! I highly recommend. I will be reading this book over and over again.

This is a truly wonderful book. Timeless in nature and so rich in wisdom. I am on my third reading of the book! What strikes me is its relevance to our current time- providing a recipe to extricate ourselves from the 'noise' of what the world would tell us is the way to go, & align us gently with Jesus as the Way, Truth & Life. Could not recommend this book more highly - largely due to the very accessible, simple, no fuss manner in which it is scripted. Praise The Lord for giving such a gift to Joan Chittister!

Joan Chittister is an oasis in the desert of a planet consumed with chaos and "busy-ness". She is a very wise and thoughtful writer and inspires me to want to be a better, more spiritually minded person; to be more aware of the divine presence around me. Her writing grasps the essence of what it means to grow as a person in the routine of our daily living.

I spent some time this year seeking out a spiritual reader for Lent, and this was my choice. I had never heard of the author before and read little about the Rule of St Benedict. It was an excellent read and a fantastic accompaniment to Lent.I am now reading it for the second time using my kindle fire some months later; feeling once again that I need to touch base with what direction I am going in. This time I am reading it more slowly, making highlights and copying some bits of it out. I found the sections related to lectio and prayer the most helpful to help me review the purpose of a prayer life in an otherwise busy life. I find it incredibly helpful to avoid my own tendencies to think of the spiritual life as the 'other worldly' aspect of my life. The author, indeed the rule, speaks loudly to this habit of mine and the book has helped me to start to re think my christian life, to make it more rooted in the daily stuff of life - because that is where God is to be found. Read it yourself.

I love St. Benedict's wisdom. Chittister translates his rules into precious guidelines for everyday Christian living.

The author clearly explains the relevance of the Rule for our lives today and often surprises with fresh insights as to how society's problems could be overcome if people understood the meaning of St Benedict's rule in today's context.

I am really enjoying this book and am glad that I ordered it. It is easy to follow but full of wisdom and will be a great help to me. My only complaint is the physical state of the book when it arrived despite the fact that the outside packaging was not to blame. Not worth sending it back as it is readable but its poor condition should have been noticed