An excellent source for spiritual reading today, Benedict's Way is actually a collection of practical principles for living developed back in the sixth century. Devised by a monk named Benedict so that he and his fellow monks could grow together in Christian spirit, the Rule of St. Benedict continues to guide and nurture ordinary men and women today who seek to live a balanced spirituality.In 30 short chapters, authors Lonni Collins Pratt and Father Daniel Homan provide stories, reflections, prayers, and actions through which the reader can understand Benedict's principles and allow them to shape ordinary life. This small but powerful book can be used for personal retreat, spiritual reading, and general reflection. BEST-SELLER--Now in paperback! "Benedict's Way combines the wisdom of St. Benedict's Rule with personal stories and commentary illustrating its applications today--a gem." --John McQuiston II author of Always We Begin Again: The Benedictine Way of Living "Benedictine spirituality guides a wide variety of Christians each day. It offers measure and balance to the push and pull of ordinary life. Benedict's Way is a practical, contemporary guide for all who seek Christ." --Abbot Leo M. Ryska, osb St. Benedict's Abbey, Benet Lake, Wisconsin In the sixth century, a monk named Benedict devised a code of practical principles by which he and his fellow monks could live together and grow in Christian spirit. Centuries later, the Rule of St. Benedict continues to guide and nurture contemporary men and women who seek to live a balanced spirituality. This contemplative guide is for individuals of all faiths in search of timeless wisdom. Lonni Collins Pratt is an award-winning author and journalist with several books to her credit and more than one thousand magazine and newspaper articles. She is part of the community of friends in Oxford, Michigan, who support the work of the monks at St. Benedict Monastery.  Daniel Homan, OSB, is prior major of St. Benedict Monastery in Oxford, Michigan, where he has lived the Rule of St. Benedict for forty years. He has led youth retreats for more than twenty-five years and coauthored Here I am Lord , a prayer journal for teenagers, with Lonni Collins Pratt. What Is a Retreat, and How Could One Be Valuable to Me? Chances are, the pace of your life is white-hot fast. There’s a lot to do every single day, and you are expected not only to do it but also to do it well. If that isn’t enough pressure, you have to cope with the deluge of information that assaults you at every turn. Our time is complicated. But that doesn’t keep us from thinking about the big issues in life. Does my life matter? What am I here for? Am I a freak accident in the gene pool? Is God real? Does God care about me? Does God care about what matters to me? Am I making the right decisions? Am I becoming the person I want to be? Will this pain ever end? A retreat is time set aside for you. Maybe you’ll relax or sleep. But if you stick with it, you can be sure that the big questions will start coming to mind. We can only push away the questions, doubts, and fears for a little while. And eventually we all face the same questions. A retreat is time set aside in which you open yourself to those bigger questions. It is time away from what is ordinary to you. It usually means leaving your home or office and going someplace quiet and isolated. A park bench works, a tent in the woods, a hotel room, a retreat center. But if getting away isn’t possible, you can make a retreat in your favorite chair with the television off. You can sit under a tree or on the deck or at the lunch table in the cafeteria. You can carve out a few minutes propped up in your bed just before you fall asleep. What do you do? Most of us think and pray while making a retreat. Others just rest and take long walks. There is no wrong way. It helps, especially if you’re new to the idea of a retreat, to have a guide. A book like this one is a guide. Sometimes at retreat centers you can find a spiritual director to act as your guide. This book is a resource for a retreat you make on your own, without a spiritual director. This book is your companion. For many people, the thought of taking a full day, a few days, or a week away from everything just seems impossible. But with determination you can set aside a few minutes every day to make a retreat. During this period you’ll read this book and possibly read from the list and suggestions we provide. You can follow the chapter from beginning to end in each retreat time and allow yourself to experience a little taste of solitude. It doesn’t need to be complicated. Get alone. Read the book. Reflect. Be silent and restful with God. When you do this for a while, you might be interested in making a retreat of a half day or a few days. But a good way to start is to set aside a little time each day to think about your life. One very common way to pray is to think about your life while consciously consider