Episode 1330: Can we live a life of Monasticism?

Several saints throughout history have spoken about and lived the monastic life, emphasizing its significance and offering guidance to those pursuing this path of spiritual devotion. But before we discuss these saints what is the Monastic life?
The typical actions and practices associated with monastic life:
Prayer and Worship: Monastics engage in regular communal and private prayer as the central focus of their day. They participate in liturgical services, recite the Divine Office (also known as the Liturgy of the Hours), and engage in personal contemplative prayer.

Silence and Solitude: Monastics often observe periods of silence and solitude to foster an atmosphere of inner stillness and to deepen their relationship with God. This can involve retreating to a private cell or engaging in extended periods of contemplation and reflection.

Study and Lectio Divina: Monastics devote time to the study of sacred texts, theological works, and spiritual writings. They engage in lectio divina, a contemplative and prayerful reading of scripture, aiming to deepen their understanding of God's word and to nourish their spiritual growth.

Work and Manual Labor: Monastics engage in physical labor as a means of self-sufficiency and stewardship. This can include activities such as farming, gardening, cooking, cleaning, or various forms of craftsmanship. Work is often considered a form of prayer and an opportunity for spiritual growth.

Community Life: Monastics live in intentional communities, where they share their lives with fellow monks or nuns. They participate in common meals, engage in communal activities, and support one another on their spiritual journey. Community life provides a context for mutual accountability, fellowship, and the practice of virtues such as humility, obedience, and charity.

Ascetic Practices: Monastics often embrace asceticism, voluntarily renouncing worldly comforts and pleasures to cultivate detachment and discipline. This can involve practices such as fasting, abstinence, simplicity of material possessions, and self-discipline in various aspects of life.

Service and Hospitality: Monastics are often involved in acts of service and hospitality, both within the monastic community and to the wider world. This can include offering spiritual guidance, providing charitable assistance, welcoming guests, and engaging in acts of mercy and compassion.

St Thomas Aquinas:
St. Thomas taught that the intellect moves the will of final cause — nothing is desired unless it is presented by the intellect and seems good — while the will moves the intellect the will is the moving cause of all the powers of the soul except the vegetative state.
St. Thomas shows, to a further distinction that there is a twofold dependence of the activity of the speculative intellect upon the will. Thinking is natural, and seems good to the will; and so the intellect thinks, and in thinking can sometimes come to know. In this case the thinking depends upon the will, but not the knowledge, because it comes from the evidence of the object; it is the object which determines the intellect once thinking to think as it does.

There is another case, when the intellect presents an object which, without evidence, seems good to hold. Not only does the thinking itself depend upon the will, but what the intellect thinks as well. The determination of the intellect to its object comes in this case from the will itself.
So for a simple man like me that leads to thinking and living in the upper verse the lower faculties and how do we get to that upper faculty as much as possible?
Two ways! Controlling our thinking and what we focus on. If it is true we are what we eat then we are definitely doing what we think.

While Jesus Christ did not live a formal monastic life in the sense of joining a monastic community or adhering to specific monastic rules and practices, there are aspects of His life that share similarities with certain elements of monasticism. Here are a few points to consider:

Solitude and Prayer: Jesus frequently sought solitude to pray and commune with God. Before important events or decisions, such as selecting His apostles or facing His crucifixion, He withdrew to solitary places for prayer (Luke 6:12, Luke 22:39-41). This practice resonates with the emphasis on prayer and solitude found in monastic life.

Simplicity and Detachment: Jesus embraced a life of simplicity, rejecting material possessions and earthly attachments. He famously said, "Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head" (Luke 9:58). This renunciation of worldly possessions aligns with the spirit of detachment and simplicity valued in monasticism.

Obedience to God: Jesus exemplified perfect obedience to the will of His Heavenly Father. He stated, "I seek not to please myself but him who sent me" (John 5:30), and prayed, "Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done" (Luke 22:42). This spirit of obedience is an essential virtue in monastic life, where monks and nuns submit themselves to the will of God through the obedience to their rule and spiritual superiors.

Teachings on Poverty, Chastity, and Obedience: Jesus' teachings encompassed principles that align with the monastic virtues of poverty, chastity, and obedience. He commended those who embrace voluntary poverty, counseled against the misuse of wealth, spoke on the importance of self-control in matters of sexuality, and taught about the necessity of obedience to God's commandments.

While Jesus' life and teachings resonate with certain aspects of monasticism, it is important to recognize that His mission and purpose transcended the boundaries of any specific religious or institutional framework. His example serves as an inspiration and model for Christians, including those who choose the monastic path, but His life cannot be strictly equated with a partial monastic life in the formal sense.

Here are a few notable saints known for their teachings on monasticism:

Saint Anthony of Egypt (c. 251-356): Considered the founder of Christian monasticism, Saint Anthony of Egypt advocated for a life of solitude, prayer, and asceticism. His wisdom and teachings inspired many monks in the early Church.

Saint Benedict of Nursia (c. 480-547): Saint Benedict is renowned for his Rule of Saint Benedict, which serves as a guide for monastic life in the Western Christian tradition. His rule emphasizes obedience, humility, and communal living.

Saint John Climacus (c. 579-649): Saint John Climacus authored "The Ladder of Divine Ascent," which outlines thirty steps to spiritual perfection. This work, highly regarded in the Eastern Orthodox Church, provides guidance for monks seeking to progress in their spiritual journey.

Saint Bernard of Clairvaux (1090-1153): Saint Bernard played a significant role in the reform of monasticism in the 12th century. He stressed the importance of simplicity, silence, and the love of God in the monastic life. His writings, such as "On Loving God" and "Sermons on the Song of Songs," offer insights into his thoughts on monastic spirituality.

Saint Teresa of Ávila (1515-1582): Although primarily known for her contributions to the Carmelite order and mystical theology, Saint Teresa of Ávila had profound insights on the monastic life. Her writings, such as "The Way of Perfection" and "The Interior Castle," offer guidance on prayer, contemplation, and the pursuit of union with God.

Saint Seraphim of Sarov (1759-1833): A Russian Orthodox saint, Saint Seraphim emphasized the acquisition of the Holy Spirit through inner stillness, prayer, and the practice of the Jesus Prayer. He is known for his teachings on the spiritual life and the pursuit of divine grace.
Saint Pachomius (c. 292-346): Saint Pachomius is considered one of the early founders of Christian communal monasticism. He established a system of monastic communities, emphasizing obedience, humility, and a structured communal life.

Saint Macarius of Egypt (c. 300-391): Saint Macarius of Egypt, also known as Macarius the Great, was a Desert Father known for his profound teachings on the monastic life. He emphasized the importance of inner purification, humility, and detachment from worldly desires.

Saint Symeon the New Theologian (949-1022): Saint Symeon the New Theologian was a Byzantine Christian monk and mystic. His writings focus on the experiential aspect of the monastic life, emphasizing the transformation of the heart and the direct experience of God's presence.

Saint Gregory Palamas (1296-1359): Saint Gregory Palamas was a Byzantine monk and theologian. He is known for his teachings on hesychasm, a mystical prayer practice centered on inner stillness and the cultivation of the divine light within. His works explore the spiritual life and the union of the soul with God.

Saint Thérèse of Lisieux (1873-1897): Although not a monastic herself, Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, also known as the Little Flower, offers insights on the monastic life through her spiritual autobiography, "The Story of a Soul." She advocates for a life of simplicity, humility, and total trust in God's love.

These saints, among many others, have left a rich legacy of teachings and writings on the monastic life, providing guidance and inspiration to monks and seekers of the spiritual path throughout history.
These saints and many others have shared their wisdom, experiences, and teachings on the monastic life, providing guidance and inspiration for those seeking a deeper relationship with God through the path of monasticism.