Features of New Monasticism 3 – Seasonal Aspirations, Rhythms of Life, Spiritual Practices & Postures
Following on from my first two posts on the features of new monasticism, I wanted open up the whole focus on contemplative/prayerful action.
Most New Monastic Communities put a focus on a holistic understanding of formation and Christian discipleship beginning with Orthopraxis (right living) with Orthodoxy (right thinking) but often and very importantly with Orthopathy (right feeling, wellbeing). This holistic approach to Christian identity within New Monasticism is shared with more established religious and monastic communities of the church and begins with Jesus’ Great Commandment to love God, love yourself and love others.
Many communities formally meet before a Bishop or other perceived authority figure within the Church to commit to a Rhythm of Life or Rule of Life.
For some, this rhythm of life begins with aspirations which seek to answer the questions ‘How should we live in but not of the world?’ and ‘What does it mean to be a mission-centred disciple in the contemporary world?’ Aspirations are an entry point for spiritual seekers who need to be able to belong before they are able to explore belief. This is a deliberate missional strategy using what S B Bevans called the ‘transcendent model of contextual theology’. Most New Monastic Communities are radically contextual. Much of these aspirations are about living counter-culturally to our overly-consumptive, individualistic and materialistic society.
Spiritual Practices are also committed to. These vary but tend to include prayer, meditation, work, rest, evangelism/mission, learning, participation in shared worship, tithing, living justly and commitments to being a dispersed network or intentionally living community.
Attitudes, or what some New Monastic Communities call ‘Postures’, seem to be expressions of the religious life and connect with the virtues such as sufficiency, generosity, gentleness, humility and wonderment.
