The Monastic Heart: 50 Simple Practices for a Contemplative and Fulfilling Life

by Joan D. Chittister

The activist, nun, and esteemed spiritual voice who has twice appeared on Oprah Winfrey’s Super Soul Sunday sounds the call to create a monastery within ourselves—to cultivate wisdom and resilience so that we may join God in the work of renewal, restoration, and justice right where we are.

“Essential reading for anyone wishing to find the compass of their heart and the wellspring from which to live fully.”—Gregory Boyle, founder of Homeboy Industries and New York Times bestselling author of Tattoos on the Heart

“In every beating heart is a silent undercurrent that calls each of us to a place unknown, to the vision of a wiser life, to become what I feel I must be—but cannot name.” So begins Sister Joan Chittister’s words on monasticism, offering a way of living and seeing life that brings deep human satisfaction. Amid the astounding disruptions of normalcy that have unfolded in our world, Sister Joan calls all of us to cultivate the spiritual seeker within, however that may look across our diverse “We can depend only on the depth of the spiritual well in us. The well is the only thing that can save us from the fear of our own frailty.”

This book carries the weight and wisdom of the monastic spiritual tradition into the twenty-first century. Sister Joan leans into Saint Benedict, who, as a young man in the sixth century, sought moral integrity in the face of an empire not by conquering or overpowering the empire but by simply living an ordinary life extraordinarily well. This same monastic mindset can help us grow in wisdom, equanimity, and strength of soul as we seek restoration and renewal both at home and in the world.

At a time when people around the world are bearing witness to human frailty—and, simultaneously, the endurance of the human spirit— The Monastic Heart invites readers of all walks to welcome this end of certainty and embrace a new beginning of our faith. Without stepping foot in a monastery, we can become, like those before us, a deeper, freer self, a richer soul—and, as a result, a true monastic, so “that in all things God may be glorified.”

Genres: Spirituality, Nonfiction, Faith, Religion, Self Help, Christianity, Inspirational

288 pages, Hardcover

Published September 21, 2021

About the author

Joan Daugherty Chittister, O.S.B., is an American Benedictine nun, theologian, author, and speaker. She has served as Benedictine prioress and Benedictine federation president, president of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious, and co-chair of the Global Peace Initiative of Women.

Reviews

[Susie Stangland · Rating 5 out of 5]

I fell in love with this book from the moment I began reading… posted on it immediately and in conversation with friends have shared how it is a life changing reminder to “ Instead, we must each seek to discover what spiritual sanity means for us, so that whatever changes around us does not change our best longings, does not corrupt our best selves.”
This book is the perfect hand to hold as we enter our shared communities and world as it slowly reopens. It also confirms that to not hold on to whatever mistakes or challenging feelings we experienced during this past time but to nurture our souls with the tenderness we would a beloved garden. Highly recommend!

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful. I’ve read this bit by bit before I go to bed each night. Always seeking, I am beginning to find the path to a deeper, more meaningful, loving, compassionate way of life. I want the ideas of this book to soak into my heart and way of life until I can walk through this world without constantly being upended by it.

Over the past eight years I have felt betrayed, lied to, and deeply disappointed in the American church, the theology and eschatology I grew up with, and the narratives I’ve been told about, well, everything it seems.

There must be another way. This is one of many books that have been arrows leading me to a more beautiful faith than the dualistic disaster I see all around me.

As Chittister encourages at the end of the book, my hope is that I can know some of the fullness of the monastic spirit of tradition, community, reflection, growth, service, and transcendence I have gleaned from these pages, live it, and pass it on to others.

[Leif Harboe]

Nydelig og klok bok om et åndelig liv

[Karen JH · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great book. I listened to it as an audiobook which made it even better since Joan narrated it herself. I could listen to her simple, straightforward wisdom all day. This book is about ancient monastic traditions and how they could/should be brought into modern day to enrich the lives of those who practice them. The book is broken into 50 short chapters, each on a different monastic teaching. The chapters on metanoia, humility, holy leisure and on Mary were some of my favourites but all the chapters have interesting perspectives to reflect on. I would recommend this… especially given the busyness of our modern lives.

[Steph · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent reminders on how to live a simple life. This book leads you to ways to incorporate gratitude, routine, and purpose into your every day life. It was a lot to take in hence why it took me some time to finish but I really loved the simplicity of the message.

[Sarah Butterfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

A thought-provoking and inspiring read. I highlighted several of her deep insights about cultivating a monastic heart in our modern context. Several of the chapters have had a deep impact on my own faith!

[Mrs C · Rating 4 out of 5]

The short incisive chapters give insight and inspiration giving the reader a taster of Benedictine thought and practice. The reader, however, is not a voyeur but an invited participant to a spiritual rhythm of contemplative action in the 21st century world, drawing in ancient practices made accessible for today.

[Ian · Rating 4 out of 5]

This surprised me with its depth and relevance to all believers. 50 different practices highlighted by Benedict's Rule of Life and followed by the monastics of that order. However, Chittister encourages all of us to adopt these practices and in so doing see oneself as monastic in one's ideologies in order to live a deeper walk with Jesus.

I came to this book not sure whether I would find these practices as relevant and desirable but soon discovered that its in these practices that we can both grow deeper in love with Jesus but also live a life of embracing the communities in which with walk with love, compassion and grace.

Each practice is a mini-essay of three to four pages comprising two sections: an outline of the practice as interpreted from Benedict's words and then a second section on thoughts on how to integrate the practice in one's life. I read the book from cover to cover, however, I suspect many people will choose particular practices to read first, however, don't be surprised if some of those one doesn't gravitate towards are as relevant and impactful as the others.

I think the lasting impression I have is how the monastic life its more about a balance of both individual practices like solitude and silence and community engagement with the same humility and surrender. We can only be truly formed by Jesus with a healthy balance of both. Chittister repeatedly highlighted the community impact in the majority of practices.

I suspect this will become a useful reference book moving forward.

I was fortunate to receive an early ebook copy from the publisher via NetGalley with no expectation of a favourable review.

[katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some chapters are better than others, some parts repetitive. And while it does read like a come-join-a-monastery invitation, there are some very surprising and useful ways of thinking about certain things that I will not soon forget.

[Mechthild]

Toward a mature spiritual life
Author of more than fifty books and benedictine sister Joan Chittister presents her book "The Monastic Heart. 50 Simple Practices for a contemplative and Fulfilling Life" which was published by Random House – Convergent Books. The fifty chapters of the book present fifty simple practices which are components of the monastic life. It is based on the benedictine monasticism not on another monasticism, e.g., the Buddhist one. Every chapter starts with an explanation of the topic, e.g., chapter 33 "Chant: On the Sound of Angels - Chant is a monastic prayer form that either recites or sings simple verses of psalms and prayers with rhythm, reiteration of ideas, and fluid musical tones. It ranges from simple psalm tones called plain chant to complex polyphonic Gregorian chant." Monasticism for her is "the single-hearted search for what matters in life".
In every chapter Chittister gives an introduction to the topic and then shows the readers how the practice can be integrated in the everyday life. The goal of her book is to invite the readers to reflection. In the introduction she states: "To live a mature spiritual life requires that we choose the values that will ground our hearts, stretch our vision, and give new energy to our hopes..." after she stated earlier already: "We need a way of living life and seeing life that brings more human entirety than it does popular acclaim. We need soul. It is those things this book seeks to explore, to test, to offer for consideration as we grow from stage to stage, from emptiness to wholeness."
I valued this book and the fact that one does not have to read it from beginning to end but also can choose the practice that is appealing at a certain moment. I recommend this book to readers who are interested in integrating some or all of these simple practices into their lives, who want to cultivate wisdom and resilience. The only thing I was missing in the ACR was footnotes or endnotes for reference and for those readers who want to study the topic in more depth. Maybe they will be included in the final copy.
The complimentary copy of this book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley free of charge. I was under no obligation to offer a positive review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
#TheMonasticHeart #NetGalley

[Helena Babington · Rating 2 out of 5]

My main criticism of this book is that she doesn’t deliver the promise of non-monastic applicability in the book’s subtitle. That very application is why I read the book. Instead, under the misleadingly promising chapter subtitle repeated each time, “Integrating The Practice”, she simply continues her discourse on the defined practice and her relentless critique of the inferior culture of the lay world.

That lack of delivery is a serious flaw in the work. A much more accurate title would be something like “Praise of the Benefits Benedictine Monasticism in Messed-up Modern Life”.

I read it for this needed but very unfulfilled promise of integrating Christian monastic practices in lay life, as very clearly implied in the book’s subtitle, “50 Simple Practices For A Contemplative And Fulfilling Life.”

Fortunately, there is at least a thriving Lay contemplative community in this world online and small pockets of such communities worldwide in religious traditions. However, what remains lacking is any help pragmatically integrating monastic practices in lay life, which this book seemed to even relentlessly promise with its frustrating sole chapter subtitle repeated 50 times, “Integrating The Practice”.

Chittister promised but failed to deliver any practical tips for integrating these wise practices to anyone in the wider secular world as well as to those of us with Christian heartbeats but living in the secular world instead of monastic orders. It simply doesn’t. Such a missed opportunity and great need. What was she instead doing? Just praising Benedictine Monasticism’s superiority to secular life in the modern world. Arrgghh.

[Peter Ackerman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sister Joan Chittister provides another work through her vocation as a Benedictine Nun, that allows the reader to discover concepts about the Order, the history behind them, and how to apply them into a manner of living spiritually today.

What I love most about Chittister's books are how they invite the reader into a world that is simultaneously present, and unknown. This is the world of God's Kingdom, that through spirituality can be glimpsed and seen. As she takes various subjects and presents them in three parts to the reader I found the historical most fascinating, and enjoyed the biographical aspects - how these affect her life as a nun. Almost as good, but I feel a little forced at times were taking these topics and applying them to today. Some of them fit well, and others appear to be a bit of a stretch by the author, but in her defense, when one is reading about theological concepts that stretching gives one pause and a reason to check back to the concept at another time.

Wonderfully written, I enjoyed this work by reading as few as one short chapter a day, as a part of my daily spiritual exercises, while sometimes reading three, depending on how the Spirit moved me. Whether you want to read this through, or piecemeal as I did, I invite you to enjoy a trip through Chittister's lens where readers can enjoy how to witness, and bring the spiritual realm to the surface of our lives today.

[Brian Wilcox · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found the content to be inclusive of religious and lay religious ideals, and a work appealing mostly to Christians, especially Catholics. As a lay, ecumenical religious, I listened to this work for further education in monasticism and how it and especially Benedictine values apply to those among us living outside enclosed communities, and the work met that aim.

As a non-Catholic and not affiliated with a sect engaging in Marian devotion, I was surprised by how much I enjoyed the chapter "Marian Hymns: On Mary, Model Woman." I appreciate how Chittister freely challenged religious leadership, such as in its exclusion of women from leadership and largely keeping women and girls out of sight. Likewise, I much appreciate how the author made clear how the Benedictine values apply not merely to personal growth but lead us to engage the world and make a positive difference in the lives of others, including the planet.

Chittister's reading is animated, and some might say overly so for them. Others might see this work as lacking conciseness in expression. Due to these two matters of style, many persons might find the written book preferable to the audiobook.

[Karren Hodgkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Five stars are just not enough stars for this book. It is just the right message for me, at the right time. I am sure there will be many others who feel the same way about it. I just love the way the author digs into these, "50 Simple Practices for a Contemplative and Fulfilling Life".

Encouraged by a friend, who she describes as her muse, the author achieves the goal of, " turning monastic language into language people can understand in their own lives." I am very grateful that while it took 25 years to come to fruition, I have had the privilege of reading it.

There are just too many words of wisdom for such a small space, I have highlighted so many in my copy that I think I may just as well have coloured the entire text :)

Some partial thoughts, "... Solitude saves you from ...", "Willingness is no substitute for preparation...", "Monasticism is a call to develop the best of ourselves... ", "God the Creator trusts you...", and, "What we give time to creates us.."

There is much, much more to this incredible book. I do hope this short review encourages you to engage with it. You won't be sorry.

With thanks to #Netgalley, the publisher Convergent Books, and the author for my advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Elisabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an extremely difficult book to rate, because it generally was quite good. Many passages I wanted to highlight. However, the religious pluralism utterly ruins it multiple times. I’d be nodding my head to her explanations and then suddenly there’s be an Islamic story or a sentence where she mentioned Hinduism as if they’re all the same “search for God” as Christianity. Nope nope nope.

So for my personal spiritual edification and contemplation, this was probably a four star read, because my faith in Jesus is secure enough and my soul is consistently filled up with proper doctrine.

But I cannot in good conscience actually recommend this to just anyone, because it could be spiritually harmful to their souls. In that, it’s a 1-2 star read.

Granted, it’s more about living a simple life than it is about actual religious practice or the way of salvation, BUT that’s still in there, and the waters were sorely muddied.

I’m glad I read it, but frustrated too, especially that it was one of my Lenten religious reads.

[MountainAshleah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audio. I have mixed feelings about this book, as do many readers. On the one hand, it's very informative, a very solid addition to the large field of books about spirituality in an increasingly hollow world (or so it often seems). On the other hand, so much judgement to those of us in our secular struggle. Must be nice, dear Sister, to never have to be concerned about what many of us mere mortals must be concerned about...food, shelter, healthcare, elder care, rising prices, and so forth. Her sneering about people who choose to spend their retirement years relaxing and doing nothing (I forget the phrasing) was fantastically narrow minded and terribly disrespectful to the millions who are voluntary, yes, but indentured servants nonetheless to a brutal corporate machine. Often by the time we can slow down to the point of retiring from the work force, we have been working full time or more for 50 or so years and are so broken down, we're truly like old workhorses put out to pasture. Sister Joan might do well to cast a more compassionate glance on tired souls.

[Kathyk21 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Joan Chittister's The Monastic Heart is a heartfelt paean to the Benedictine way of life--but wait! There's more! Chittister examines the little things that comprise her day: bells, readings at mealtime, singing psalms with her community of sisters. She looks at why the practices that have been prescribed in the Benedictine rule book are valuable guides to anyone who is striving to live a good life. Each item that she examines is written about with sensitivity and understanding and with a simplicity that is poetic. It is a joy to read a section each morning and carry the thoughts throughout the day. There is no heavy theology to understand and no burdensome "shoulds" to embrace. There is joyful respect and gratitude for each symbol and practice that has enriched her life and that she offers as a gift to the rest of us.

[Libby · Rating 4 out of 5]

This title by Chittister is easy to pick up and put down. I read it slowly, not because it isn't good, but because I wanted to think about things she wrote. It's one I could see using devotionally, reading and focusing on one practice a month. My one critique of the book is it feels somewhat incomplete. Chittister's sections on integrating the practice, for those of us not in monasteries, are often thought-provoking. But, no matter how empathetic she is, she is still writing from her viewpoint in a monastery. I think the book would have been stronger with other voices, those of us living in other settings, speaking of how they integrated the practices Chittister invites us to emulate. But that minor criticism aside, I recommend this book that distills the wisdom of Benedictine life for the modern world.

[Lindsay Wesner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't agree with everything Chittister writes in The Monastic Heart, but I can't think of another title that more plainly and profoundly describes the qualities, commitments, and habits that define a mature spiritual life. Studying this book in community over the course of a year changed my mind, my heart, and my actions. I have 3 critiques: 1. I wish she would have more thoughtfully explored how some of these practices could be embodied by those living outside of a monastic setting. 2. I think her reflections would have been more complete if she would have intentionally centered the racially, economically, and physically marginalized. 3. Her descriptions of monastic contributions to society in Middle Ages were very rosily painted and presented without facts or footnotes for readers to verify or explore on their own.

[Bonnie Westmark · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I had to pick only one author to ever read again in my life, it would be Joan Chittister. Her books come at just the right time with the messages I need to hear. As a Benedictine Oblate at St. Placid, this book is one of my favorites! What a delight to see a chapter on us! I truly believe her writing comes from God. This latest book came at a time I was losing faith in humanity and in my church. The words provided me with the strength to keep serving and working. It is a book filled with hope that reminds us to find God within us despite what’s going on in our world. It stirred me to put the Gregorian Chants on, light a few candles, burn a little incense, practice lectio, and be with God in solitude. My peace is restored.

[Chuck · Rating 5 out of 5]

Timely, Relevant, and Amazing

Sr. Joan has a wonderful heart and a deep spirit. She is a profoundly gifted intellect and communicator. This recent addition to her trail of books is the perfect read for this season. Written during the pandemic, and global chaos, she address the issues of our day by looking at the monastic tradition. Instead of a list of opinions and rules, she invites us to be part of a plan that nourished faithful people for generations, and continues to provide the same nourishment. I cannot recommend this book highly enough!

[Linda Cox · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have no desire to run off to a monastery, but drawing closer to God is a life-long endeavor. In this book the author take you through life in a monastery and explains the purposes of bells, choir, silence, etc. She continues to suggest ways everyday people can use these in their lives as part of their worship and walk with God. I am sure I will read this book again, probably at a slower rate, and practice different aspects before moving on. Even though I am a Protestant and not a Catholic many parts of this can be useful in my personal worship.

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This volume is filled with short essays and guidance on 50 ways to be open to God’s presence, to develop personal spiritual growth, and to be a person of faith, love, and service in our community. Each chapter is succinct, instructional, and calming.
Chittister focuses on the fact that we are one of the many, not above or better than others…that it is the community that elevates all to God’s world, including the community of nature and its health.
Excellent and rich for group discussion.

[Trish Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a beautiful, demanding book about applying the Rule of St. Benedict here in our tumultuous everyday lives. The writing is crisp, clear, and not for the faint of heart. An excellent choice for anyone who feels like their life is not spiritually demanding enough and who would appreciate the challenge of structure to change that.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing a copy of this book.

[Rebecca]

This book was really interesting. I read it cover to cover, but the way it's organized you can really start anywhere. It's divided up into monastic topics. As a lay person who is interested in spirituality and Christianity I found it to be helpful in how to plan and organize my life in helpful ways and practices.

[Ope Bukola · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely book on spiritual living. Each chapter covers one part of the Rule of Benedict and suggests how we might apply it to modern life and create "a monastery in our hearts". I suggest you read it slowly, taking a day or two to digest each chapter. The chapters are short, but so packed with wisdom.

[Patty · Rating 5 out of 5]

If only that were true...50 "simple" practices.

Actually, they are simple...but not easy. I absolutely loved this book. I read it slowly over several months and contemplated many of the practices as I went. I will probably read it again...and again.

I pray I am a different person having read it.

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

I won this book in a Goodreads Giveaway. Usually, I find Joan Chittister to be a compelling speaker and writer. Although it was interesting learning about the Rule of Benedict and Monastic life, I found parts to be repetitive.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting overview of how monasticism plays out today. The book explored various practices of the Benedictines and how each helps with leading a contemplative and fulfilling life. I read this over Lent and found it was a good fit for this season.

[Paul Womack · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fine introduction to Benedictine Spirituality. Each chapter offers a reflection on an aspect of spiritual formation; that is, a life oriented to God. To be read over and over for its intellectual, historical, and spiritual formation guidance. Also, to be read with the Rule.