How to Live : What the Rule of St. Benedict Teaches Us About Happiness, Meaning, and Community

**"__How to Live__ helps us see what we are losing; to make us taste what we're in danger of dismissing as unimportant. It reminds us of what we've missed but is still at hand, waiting to enliven the age in which we live as well as to be remembered for its contributions to the past."—Joan Chittister** The Rule of St. Benedict arose from an era when a great civilization was threatened by violence, economic forces that favored the wealthy, political leaders that lacked the trust of the public, and rampant xenophobia. Similar to the anxieties and frustrations of the 6th century, we are living in a time where societies need to stress community over competition, consensus over conflict, simplicity over self gain, and silence over the constant chatter and distractions of our lives. In __How to Live__, Judith Valente explores the key elements of the rule and clearly demonstrates how incorporating this ancient wisdom can change the quality and texture of our lives offering a way forward from the divisions gripping our country. These fresh and profound explorations are inspiring and thoughtful, and will motivate readers to live a meaningful life. " How to Live helps us see what we are losing; to make us taste what we're in danger of dismissing as unimportant. It reminds us of what we've missed but is still at hand, waiting to enliven the age in which we live as well as to be remembered for its contributions to the past."—Joan Chittister The Rule of St. Benedict arose from an era when a great civilization was threatened by violence, economic forces that favored the wealthy, political leaders that lacked the trust of the public, and rampant xenophobia. Similar to the anxieties and frustrations of the 6th century, we are living in a time where societies need to stress community over competition, consensus over conflict, simplicity over self gain, and silence over the constant chatter and distractions of our lives. In How to Live , Judith Valente explores the key elements of the rule and clearly demonstrates how incorporating this ancient wisdom can change the quality and texture of our lives offering a way forward from the divisions gripping our country. These fresh and profound explorations are inspiring and thoughtful, and will motivate readers to live a meaningful life. "A timely book for troubled times, showing how the values and practices established by St. Benedict in the 6th century can help us lead happier lives." —Kathleen Norris, author of The Cloister Walk Written in the sixth century as a guide for monks on how to live communally, The Rule of St. Benedict remains a timeless treasure trove of human wisdom. It arose from an era much like our own—when a great civilization was threatened by violence, economic forces that favored the wealthy, political leaders that lacked the trust of the public, and rampant xenophobia. Once again, we live in a time when societies need to stress community over competition, consensus over conflict, simplicity over self-gain, and silence over the constant chatter and distractions of our lives. In How to Live , Judith Valente explores the key elements of The Rule of St. Benedict and clearly demonstrates how incorporating this ancient wisdom into our modern lives can open a way forward from the divisions gripping our country.