note -- As part of my Spiritual Disciplines class we had to actually engage in spiritual disciplines.  We did this in the way of the monks, formulating a pattern of life, dedicating ourselves to a set of spiritual exercises which would help us grow and focus.  This was my commitment during the ten-week period.  Let me tell you, it worked.  

The Rule of Patrick Oden

            A rule has been historically a way of organizing and managing the spiritual life of an individual or community by writing out specific practices, thoughts, and perspectives which are meant to enhance and strengthen the life of that community or individual.  Rather than relying on human inclination and whim in the development of a spiritual life, a rule provides a framework for discipline in which a spiritual life can be nurtured in a structured form.  In pondering my life, and the strengths and weaknesses of my current spiritual life, I have decided that it would be fruitful to organize my life so as to include:

Prayer –   Three times daily of focused prayer:

Morning – five minutes of prayer and reflection, focusing on prayer for the day, and preparing myself spiritually for the challenges and temptations which I may encounter, and praying for the needs of others.

Afternoon – ten minutes of prayer, focusing on thanksgiving for God’s work in my life, and in the lives of those around me.  Thanksgiving is a point of weakness for me and I need to discipline myself in it.

Evening –  five minutes of prayer, reflecting on the day, the lessons learned (and not learned), and realigning myself spiritually before I go to bed.

Prayer throughout the day, in a attempt to build a continual conversation with God. 

            This emphasis on prayer arises from a realization of both the great importance of prayer and the lack of emphasis it has had in my life.  In developing my prayer life, I will seek out varieties of prayer, building my ‘prayer vocabulary’ and expanding my understanding of prayer in general

Meditation –  Much of my reading and focus on the Bible recently is of an academic nature.  It  would be good then to provide balance and begin to read not for academic purposes but for spiritual reasons.  I will read the a chapter from the Old and the New daily.

Worship –  Recently, attendance at a weekly service has been rather haphazard for me.  I will therefore, commit to consistent participation in weekly common worship.  Part of this is to examine the purpose of gathering together and what it means to worship God.  I would like to learn to worship not as a matter of feeling, but as a proper dutiful response to God. In addition to the weekly gatherings, I would like to worship throughout each day, offering various practices, duties, life in general to God.

Study –  I will try to understand that all truth is God’s truth, and that whatever I learn can be an act of worship and service to him.  I have developed a diffuse theological understanding, which I would like to focus in thought and writing.  This includes a purposeful renewal of journaling.

Physical Exercise –  Understanding that the body, mind, and spirit work together, I will be dedicated to exercising throughout the week.  Physical exercise can be an illustration for spiritual growth as well, so I will consciously consider ways in which this is true. 

Sabbath – I will take one day of rest during the week.  While this may consistently be difficult to do on a set day (such as Sunday), I will commit to taking one day during the week to rest from my studies and work.  I will also try to use this day as a “retreat” day, finding some outdoor place of beauty to help restore my soul.