(49) Disciplines

"Author Richard Foster categorizes the classical spiritual
disciplines this way.
• Inward disciplines--meditation, prayer, fasting, study.
• Outward disciplines--simplicity, solitude, submission, service.
• Corporate disciplines--confession, worship, guidance, celebration."
[Loni Collins Pratt and Father Daniel Homan, OSB, BENEDICT'S
WAY, AN ANCIENT MONK'S INSIGHTS FOR A BALANCED LIFE,
LoyolaPress, 2000, p. 196.]

Comment: Loni Pratt is a lay devotee of the Benedictine Tradition,
and Fr. Daniel has been a monk for decades. They have also
written a book on "Hospitality," and maybe more that I have yet to
discover. This particular book is very practical, especially for one
who aspires towards living out the tenets of Benedictine spirituality.

Browsing through this book, I was really pleased to find such a
succinct presentation of the "classical disciplines." It would seem
they are all there, in a nutshell. However, working through all
these disciplines involves a lifetime.

I thought it might be interesting going to the dictionary and
reviewing what all these disciplines (words) might mean.
"Meditation" is about contemplating, pondering, musing on a
given subject. "Prayer" is a solemn request or a notation of
gratitude. "Fasting" is about abstaining. "Study" is about
devoting time and effort towards acquiring knowledge.

"Simplicity" is being easy to understand or to do. "Solitude" is
about enjoying being alone. "Submission" is about yielding to
a superior force or authority. "Service" is an act of assistance.

"Confession" can be an admission of one's guilt, or it can be
a statement of one's principles or faith. "Worship" shows
reverence and adoration for a deity. "Guidance" is about
counsel or direction. "Celebration" is about engaging in
joyful activity.

Reviewing all the different meanings of these words (disciplines),
I have to admit participating in all of them. But I won't plague you
by going into any fine detail. I can only say that these disciplines,
if tried and shown true, are seriously a great helpmate towards
achieving successful living in one's life. Doesn't hurt at all
practicing these particular disciplines. They are useful.