What will I learn about: 'listen with the ear of the heart' to truly understand others, a sixth-century monastic secret that builds harmonious communities?

Learn how to 'listen with the ear of the heart' to truly understand others, a sixth-century monastic secret that builds harmonious communities.

What will I learn about: why acknowledging the inevitability of death is a powerful motivator to stop living on autopilot and start fully embracing your daily life?

Discover why acknowledging the inevitability of death is a powerful motivator to stop living on autopilot and start fully embracing your daily life.

What will I learn about: the practice of true silence by stepping away from modern distractions like social media to quiet your mind and nurture a rich inner life?

Master the practice of true silence by stepping away from modern distractions like social media to quiet your mind and nurture a rich inner life.

What will I learn about: how reframing humility as patience and love can help you avoid gossip, resolve conflicts, and foster peaceful relationships?

Understand how reframing humility as patience and love can help you avoid gossip, resolve conflicts, and foster peaceful relationships.

What will I learn about: how to abandon the impossible pursuit of perfection and instead use tools like prayer and poetry to achieve true work-life balance?

Find out how to abandon the impossible pursuit of perfection and instead use tools like prayer and poetry to achieve true work-life balance.

How to Live

What the Rule of St. Benedict Teaches Us About Happiness, Meaning, and Community

Judith Valente

★ 4.6 / 5(217 ratings)

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Categories:

Mindfulness & Happiness Religion & Spirituality

If You're Curious About These Questions...

You should listen to this audiobook

💡What's the secret to finding calm in a chaotic world, and how can ancient monastic wisdom help you achieve it?
💡Are you curious about how the principles of sixth-century monastic living can help you become a more effective leader in your daily life?
💡What if you could cultivate a sense of inner peace and purpose by embracing the simple yet profound teachings of St. Benedict?

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Key Takeaways from How to Live

✓Learn how to 'listen with the ear of the heart' to truly understand others, a sixth-century monastic secret that builds harmonious communities.
✓Discover why acknowledging the inevitability of death is a powerful motivator to stop living on autopilot and start fully embracing your daily life.
✓Master the practice of true silence by stepping away from modern distractions like social media to quiet your mind and nurture a rich inner life.
✓Understand how reframing humility as patience and love can help you avoid gossip, resolve conflicts, and foster peaceful relationships.
✓Find out how to abandon the impossible pursuit of perfection and instead use tools like prayer and poetry to achieve true work-life balance.

Learning Tools

Reinforce what you learned from How to Live

Mind Map

How to Live

Listening & Communication+

Awakening & Mortality+

Silence & Humility+

Balance & Contemplation+

Forgiveness & Hospitality+

Leadership & Community+

Simplicity & Awe+

Meaningful Work+

Quiz — Test Your Understanding

Question 1 of 9

According to St. Benedict, what is the most important rule for building a harmonious community?

A. Taking a vow of absolute and permanent silence.
B. Listening deeply to better understand one another.
C. Working tirelessly without any complaint.
D. Isolating oneself completely from the outside world.

Question 2 of 9

How does The Rule of St. Benedict suggest we should view the inevitability of death?

A. As a terrifying endpoint that we should avoid thinking about at all costs.
B. As a reason to abandon worldly responsibilities and live recklessly.
C. As a motivation to wake up to our surroundings and fully embrace life.
D. As a reminder that earthly life is meaningless compared to the afterlife.

Question 3 of 9

In the context of St. Benedict's teachings, what is the true purpose of silence?

A. To punish those who speak out of turn during community gatherings.
B. To quiet the mind and nurture inner peace, rather than just keeping one's mouth shut.
C. To ensure that only the leaders of the community are heard.
D. To avoid having to resolve complex interpersonal conflicts.

Question 4 of 9

Why does the author compare writing a haiku to the monastic practice of prayer?

A. Both require a deep knowledge of ancient spiritual texts and languages.
B. Both are strictly religious activities meant only to praise God.
C. Both offer a moment to step back, pause, and refocus on the world around you.
D. Both demand hours of uninterrupted concentration and physical isolation.

Question 5 of 9

How does The Rule of St. Benedict suggest we should practice hospitality?

A. By showering the wealthy and powerful with special treatment to secure their favor.
B. By prioritizing the poor and hungry, recognizing that they deserve more from us.
C. By only welcoming those who share our specific religious beliefs and backgrounds.
D. By hosting lavish feasts to celebrate the monastery's financial success.

Question 6 of 9

According to St. Benedict, what is the defining characteristic of a good leader?

A. A leader acts as a servant and teacher who works for the benefit of the community.
B. A leader makes swift, unilateral decisions to maintain strict order and control.
C. A leader hides their mistakes to maintain an image of perfection and authority.
D. A leader demands strict obedience and issues 'do-it-because-I-say-so' orders.

Question 7 of 9

What does St. Benedict mean when he advises to 'regard all utensils and goods of the monastery as sacred vessels of the altar'?

A. Monks should only use items made of precious metals like gold or silver.
B. Material possessions are inherently sinful and should be destroyed.
C. We should recognize our interconnectedness with the world and treat everything with care and reverence.
D. Everyday objects should be locked away and only used during religious ceremonies.

Question 8 of 9

What is the meaning behind the Benedictine motto 'ora et labora'?

A. Work is a punishment that must be endured with silent prayer.
B. True fulfillment comes from combining action and work with contemplation.
C. Intellectual thinking is vastly superior to physical labor.
D. One should abandon all physical work to pursue a life of uninterrupted prayer.

Question 9 of 9

How is the Benedictine concept of 'conversatio' best understood in the context of the book?

A. An instant, miraculous transformation into a perfect human being.
B. A strict set of conversational rules that guarantees entry into heaven.
C. The process of actively converting others to your specific religious beliefs.
D. An ongoing, everyday struggle and process toward a better way of living.

How to Live — Full Chapter Overview

1Recommendation
21 — St. Benedict urged his community to listen deeply so they could better understand one another.
32 — To live fully, you must wake up to your surroundings and the reality of death.
43 — Silence and humility are essential tools for living peacefully.
54 — Practices like prayer and poetry can help you live a more balanced life.
65 — Forgiveness and hospitality are central to peaceful living.
76 — The Rule offers guidance on facing our faults and becoming better leaders.
87 — We must overlook nothing and remember to live with a sense of awe.
98 — Meaningful work comes from loving the world and blending action with contemplation.
109 — Final summary

How to Live Summary & Overview

How to Live (2018) takes a thoughtful look at the teachings of St. Benedict and how the rules he applied to sixth-century monastic living can help us lead better lives today. From the benefits of cultivating silence to insights into how to be a better leader, find out how The Rule of St. Benedict can help you better navigate the pitfalls of modern life.

Who Should Listen to How to Live?

Anyone eager to live more meaningfully
People interested in monastic life
Burned-out workers looking for balance

About the Author: Judith Valente

Judith Valente is an award-winning journalist, essayist, and poet who’s been a staff writer for publications including the Wall Street Journal and the Washington Post. She has also worked in television and radio and has undertaken speaking engagements and led retreats on the power of poetry and leading a more meaningful work life. Her other books include The Art of Pausing: Meditations for the Overworked and Overwhelmed.

How to Live

If You're Curious About These Questions...

Listen to How to Live — Free Audiobook

Key Takeaways from How to Live

Learning Tools

Mind Map

Quiz — Test Your Understanding

How to Live — Full Chapter Overview

How to Live Summary & Overview

Who Should Listen to How to Live?

About the Author: Judith Valente

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