RULES OF PRACTICE
In brief
Freedom
The spiritual life is based on total freedom. Just as we cannot make anyone say prayers, as we cannot pray or meditate on behalf of someone, similarly, we cannot make God give us His gifts or grace. St. Benedict orders us to examine the motivation of the newcomers and reveal them everything what is difficult in monastic life, or at least ask them: “Can you do it...?” In accordance with the precepts of St. Benedict, we present the Rules of Practice, which are for the meditation session to proceed in peace. Rules help us to remain focused on the essential.
The unity of hearts and minds
Good experience at the meditation session depends on each practitioner’s state of mind. This state is expressed outwardly by a body stance, gestures, the way of speaking and the ability of keeping silence. We unite our hearts and minds by the practice in the group. This common practice not only provides us with a unique opportunity to strengthen our personal efforts but also requires taking responsibility for the others. We should remember that the quality and the fruitfulness of the practice of the others depend on the quality of our own practice, commitment and devotion. Therefore, we should obey the Rules of Practice which arise from the profound experience of common life sanctified by the tradition. No matter who you are or how long you practice. You are here. We are on the common way; we help each other and this is important.
Silence
One of the most important things for the common practice is keeping silence. Silence strengthens our concentration, awareness and respect for each other. It is, however, not easy. Silence and solitude pay attention to inside. When the outside experiences are reduced to minimum then, naturally, our inside is manifesting. Although this could be a difficult and painful personal experience, it is a necessary part of our purification and spiritual growth. Without the practice of silence, it is impossible to speak seriously about spiritual life.
The leader and the assistants
The leader is responsible for the entire meditation session. He is helped by the assistants. If you have any questions, difficulties or problems do not hesitate to ask the leader or the assistants directly. They are freely available during the session.
Meditation room
The meditation room is a formal place for the practice. Five minutes before the meditation starts, you can hear a rattle sound on the corridor. Please, take off your shoes before you enter the meditation room.
We make a bow in front of the icons while entering and leaving the meditation room. After having made a bow, we go to our cushion and wait for the signal. We do not pass through the centre of the room, but we always move on the line around the room. The meditation room is the place where we should keep silence. Inside, we do not speak, do not exchange opinions, do not look around. We do everything carefully, without haste remembering that those who can be patient and careful in little, ordinary things, will receive the great ones.
Before the first round we find the cushions with our names and wait for a signal. After the signal, we make a bow to all and sit down on the cushion facing each other.
Meditation in a sitting position
The gong sound indicates the start and the end of every meditation round. If the sitting meditation is immediately followed by the practice of the walking meditation, then the gong rings twice.
Walking meditation
During the walking meditation we should keep to the same discipline and mindfulness as we did during the sitting meditation. We pass from the sitting meditation to the walking meditation slowly and gently. If we do not feel so well or if we are numb, we will get up just when we recover. During the “walking” we are able to leave the meditation room for the toilet or any other reason (if necessary). We should return to the room before the next sitting meditation. We make a bow just after the sound of the rattle. We put our hands on the chest and go around the meditation room following the leader’s instructions.
Metany
Every morning we practice metany. Metany is a prayer gesture (prostratio), which traces back to the Biblical times and belongs to the key elements of spiritual practice. The leader will explain the meaning and kernel of this practice and provide the participants with some practical instruction.
Monastic Office - Liturgy of the Hours
Usually four times a day we go to the church to celebrate the Liturgy of the Hours together with the monks. The form of prayer is singing or recitation of the psalms.
Work
We work usually 1,5 hours a day. Manual work is an essential element of the practice. It also serves as a simple test for the quality of the practice. Every kind of work is equally important, and every work we do has a certain impact on our inner life. The way we work testifies the state of our minds. If we work in an adequate way, we deepen our meditation. Moreover, work is the simplest way to test whether meditation helps us to remain in touch with simple daily reality. If you cannot work due to different reasons, please, inform the assistant about that. If you have finished the work earlier, please ask the assistant for another kind of work or help others. Usually we meet together before we start work in order to get the necessary instructions.
The kitchen and meals
We have meals in a silence. In the context of the meditation practice, it is worth mentioning that immoderation in eating and drinking is the main reason for mindlessness during the meditation. Eating is a good exercise for our awareness if we can remain considerate to the needs of our neighbours. Five minutes before the meal a rattle is heard on the corridor.
The circle ceremony
Sharing time usually closes the session. The sharing of our reflections, experiences, insights etc. is a kind of the thanksgiving for common practice. It is a very important and beautiful moment of the session. The sharing in a natural way provides everyone with a chance to a voice. Our experiences are very inspiring for our neighbours, especially if we voice it from our heart with simplicity and sincerity. When we compare our experiences with those of the others, very often we find the answers to our personal questions. (It is through the encounter and experiences with the others that we may often find the answers to our personal questions.)
The opening prayer
Let us open this session by asking for God’s help. Do it saying together “Our Father”.
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Friday
4:00 pm introduction for beginners (lead by Fr. Maksymilian)
4:30 pm formal beginning of the session (45 min)
meditation (25 min)
6:00 pm supper, rest
7:00 pm meditation (2x20 min)
8:00 pm compline and vigil in the church
Saturday
6:00 am morning prayer (Lauds?)
6:30 am metany, (practice of bows)
meditation (2x25min)
8:00 am breakfast
8:45 am work instruction
work until 10:45 am
11:00 am meditation (2x25min)
12:15 pm midday prayer
lunch
rest
3:00 pm vespers in Latin
3:30 pm meditation (25min)
talk
meditation (25min)
5:45 pm supper, rest
6:45 pm meditation (2x25min)
8:00 pm compline and vigil
9:00 pm celebration of the Eucharist
Sunday
6:00 am morning prayer
6:30 am metany (practice of bows)
meditation (3x20min)
sharing
formal ending of the session
9:00 am breakfast
11:30 am Eucharist
1:00 pm midday prayer
1:15 pm lunch
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