A Guide to Living in the Truth: St. Benedicts's Teaching on Humility

I am discerning whether to become an Oblate of St. Benedict. This book was recommended to me by a Benedictine sister in charge of Oblate Formation at a nearby monastery. Alexa “read” the Kindle version while I tried to follow along (I have health issues that make reading on its own very difficult).On the whole, I enjoyed this book. Well written. Insightful. Even clever, at times. My one concern was the number of lengthy footnotes. I’m not a fan of lengthy footnotes to begin with, and working through footnotes on a Kindle is pretty distracting. Having said that, I would recommend this book.

In recent years a spate of popular books about monasticism has appeared, some tending to trivialize this relatively rare vocation, others subtly romanticizing it. In contrast, A Guide to Living in the Truth is one of the more realistic books in the genre.Monk and scholar Michael Casey focuses on the foundational virtue of humility, the subject of the seventh chapter of St. Benedict's Rule. After briefly considering what humility is not (passivity, self-hatred, or mere resignation), Casey provides a meditative, line-by-line commentary, drawing from sources as diverse as St. Bernard of Clairvaux and Albert Camus to clarify the sixth-century text.The reader may feel some resistance to the message of this book. St. Benedict's view of human nature is unflinching, and his emphasis on the effort required to purge our selfishness is not for the faint-hearted. But Casey does an admirable job of framing Benedictine spirituality in the contexts of common sense, psychological insight, and the mercy of God.Rather humbly, Casey largely leaves the reader to apply this ancient wisdom to less cloistered lifestyles. But be advised. You may find that this thoughtful introduction to the heart of the Church's original twelve-step program changes your spiritual life more than you expected.

Casey does a good job of walking the reader through practical monasticism, with a bent toward helping the reader in inculcate these practices into their own life. Worth the time to contemplate.

Read let the Spirit move you.

This book gives a sound interpratation on the steps of humility. Anyone who wants to study the Rule of St. Benedict should get this book.

plan on reading this soon again. Michael Casey is great

Filled with excellent insights into humility and the joy and peace of being a humble creation of God. I've only read and re-read the first 1/4, but what impressed me so far is the recognition that humility never begins with nor ends with humiliation. When my budget allows, I plan to buy more copies for gifts.

Fr. Casey is a talented writer who brings St. Benedict's rule to life in the present time.A careful reading has the potential to bring positive change to a person's life.

The Rule of Benedict is a way of life, one that I as an oblate have chosen to follow. Casey takes us through chapter 7 on humility in such a profound way. Full of teaching, full of insight, full of guidance on our journey to standing before our Father

An excellent commentary on the Rule of St Benedict