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"Integration: The Way of St. Benedict" by Anselm Grun, OSB
Introduction:
July 11 is when the Catholic Church honors the obligatory memorial of St. Benedict
of Nursia - one of the six saints that was declared as patrons of Europe. The
great influence of St. Benedict comes from his monastic spirituality - how it
developed beginning the 4th century and how the Rule from which it organized
itself has been adopted by many religious institutes since then. There is much
to be learned from this great spiritual man who discovered a way of integration,
a process of development, a way of self-realization, a manner of individuation,
and a method of journeying into his own unique personhood.
"Integration: The Way of St. Benedict"
In this book by Anselm Grun, OSB, the author uses
Pope St. Gregory's biography on St. Benedict to re-read how the saint
journeyed into the full maturity of Christ's image - the end by which we are
called to grow into by virtue of our being baptized into Christ's person.
In the book, the author gives us an example through St. Benedict, how we
can: be one with ourself; reconcile ourself with our evil side (our shadow);
integrate our anima (animus) - our feminine/masculine psychological components;
free ourself from our egoism; be capable of dealing with people; and become
one with God and united with Him in much prayer.
A great help for midlifers
For those who need help with passing through their midlife years,
this is one very good resource to read, reread and be informed of the
mystery of human growth - both in its psychological and spiritual
aspects. In fact, the title of the book itself, "Integration", is
a term often associated for those journeying into their midlife years
- years filled with reflecting on the experiences of youth and connecting
it with the coming years of old age when the fruit of reflection and
prayer over this special time is human development in wisdom and
the constant practice of prudent judgment and decisions.
Topics and chapters in the book
To have an idea of what the book contains, below is a list of the
chapters and topics of the book:
- Steps on Benedict's way
- The first step into freedom
- Separation from the mother
- Solitary in the cave
- Meeting with people
- Temptation through recollection of a woman
- The spiritual fatherhood
- Collapse of the first venture
- Dwelling within himself
- Renewed attempt at spiritual guidance
- The signs of the prophets
- The old enemy in a new location
- Marvels of knowledge
- Marvels of deeds
- Integration of the anima
- The cosmic vision
- The Rule as witness of Benedict's stature
- The consummation
- Benedict's continued activity: a healing in the cave
Some notes
The book can be read casually and when certain terms of depth
psychology or some deep spiritual insights are encountered, this can
be nonchalantly passed over at first reading and just study it more
in-depth over the next readings of the book - accompanying one's
reading with specialized dictionaries and glossaries. On the whole,
the book is not only fascinating, but also filled with the great
wisdom that only a man of such stature as St. Benedict of Nursia
could have achieved from his plenitude of solitude, prayer, reflection,
contemplation, and wise governance of monasteries.
Related resources:
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