Gaining perspective in contentious times

I was talking with a leader of a class being held at the monastery last week. While he was on break, he spoke about the reasons he likes coming to the monastery. He said coming to the monastery helps him gain perspective on his work. The view from the top of the hill of the capital and downtown Madison represents this change of perspective. He teaches at the university and finds it helpful to come across the lake periodically to step back and look at his life and work from another viewpoint.

The sisters have been reading Joan Chittister’s commentary on the Rule of Benedict at our morning chapter meetings for the past several weeks. I’ve been thinking about the perspective on life that the Rule offers, especially compared to the tone of the current debates going on in this country.

A few days ago, we read chapter 70 of the Rule: “The Presumption of Striking Another Monastic at Will.” The title gives me pause. One might assume that a monastery would be the last place for fisticuffs. However, Benedict must have experienced this problem in his monastery. Otherwise, there would be no need for this chapter.

It appears that Benedict is not thinking primarily about fistfights. Here is the line that caught my attention:

“If any member, without the command of the abbot or prioress, assumes any power over those older or, even in regard to the young, flares up and treats them unreasonably, let that one be subjected to the discipline of the rule.”

This is not just about hitting someone but about letting our anger or our sense of authority get the best of us. It’s been a long time since I’ve hit anyone. But I do occasionally flare up and treat the person in front of me unreasonably. In our culture, where it seems increasingly acceptable to flare up and demean another or let one’s anger/fear/authority take one so far as to strike or kill another, we need the perspective of the Rule.

Joan writes in her commentary: “Benedict simply does not allow a culture of violence. Benedictine spirituality depended on personal commitment and community support, not on intimidation and brutality.”

This perspective could be helpful in our own day. It is easy to get caught up in a culture of flaring up at one another because it feels good to let off steam or to exert my authority over another. But that tears at the fabric of society. When I am triggered by something and feel the inclination to flare up at someone, it is helpful to step back and get some perspective on the situation.

Taking time to look up into the trees at Holy Wisdom can offer a new perspective

The practice of centering prayer, meditation or mindfulness, aids in the ability to observe one’s reactions and step back before deciding how to respond. Making a retreat, sitting by the lake, walking through the prairie or the woods or going to the top of the hill to look out over the city where one lives can provide another viewpoint on life.

Benedictine life puts an emphasis on community and interdependence. Each member of the community is responsible for the life and health of the whole. We are encouraged to take into account the other’s perspective and consider what is best for her or him. This attitude of personal commitment and community support could contribute to a building up of the common good today.

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Read other blog posts in Lynne’s series, Building Community.

Read other Living in Community blog posts, by various community members.