Monastic Practices

by Charles Cummings OCSO

For three decades, Monastic Practices has been a valued resource for English-speaking aspirants to monastic life. In this revised edition, updated and expanded, Charles Cummings, OCSO, explores the common practices of the monastic life in order to rediscover them as viable means of leading persons to a deeper encounter with God. How do monks and nuns occupy themselves throughout the day? Have they modernized their lifestyle or is it still cluttered with medieval customs? Could any of the monastic practices be of use to those outside the monastery? A certain wisdom is necessary to know how to use such practices and how to give oneself to them until they lead one to God.
After long monastic experience, Cummings shows us how the ordinary things we do constitute our path to God. In the art of living life, he argues, we are always beginners, searching for God through our concrete circumstances and actions.

Genres: Spirituality, Christianity, Religion, Theology, Christian

210 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1986

Reviews

[Br. Thanasi (Thomas) Stama · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting. Good coverage about western monasticism.

Reading it, I reflected on community and being more kind and loving. Chapter X on Community and Communications gave many insights that we can all use.

When I read the chapter on Stability, I wonder if he ever came across the early Christian work called the Shepherd of Hermas? If I remember it correctly, this work pushed to be less double minded and steadfast.

[Dom William OSB]

This is a nuts and bolts look at the monastic life and very finely written, we use it for training those who are hoping to become novices....and also within the novitiate...

[Benjamin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I felt engaged by the spirit of monastic life and practice. I wanted to embrace these patterns into my own life and felt most encouraged by the organization of prayer and reading rhythms.

[Nate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Accessible, insightful, practical. A seasoned insider's view of what it means to be a monk. Anyone interested in monasticism should read this.

[Allison Clay · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful book for anyone curious about monastic life or discerning religious life. The reflection questions at the end of each chapter are thought provoking and allow you to examine yourself.

[Abby Hughes · Rating 3 out of 5]

hard for me to relate to because i'm in an age of hedonism and monastic life is the polar opposite. but i still had a good time with this. good is a strong word. uh. cool. a cool time with this.

[Sarah Randall · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not finished with this yet, but so far it's a good 4.5 stars. It's both practical and spiritual, a good reminder to those of us who have been in the religious life for a while as well as a great introduction for those considering it. (I'm told it's worthwhile reading for others, too, but I can't speak to that!) I would have been grateful for this book as a novice.

2024:
We have started over to use this as a jumping-off point for community discussion. It's still good on rereading.

[Joshua Booher · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read as part of the Oblation Formation program at the local convent. At times, the author seems out of touch with life outside his monastery. In spite of this, he provides helpful gems for making monastic practices part of your daily life.

[Aventurera Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic. Makes me want to be in a monastery again. Just hope to take some ideas for my busy life.