In his work “Leisure: the Basis of Culture”, the Thomist philosopher Josef Pieper talks about the importance of wonder as the foundational act of true philosophy: the philosopher is first of all one who marvels at Being. He looks at the vast vaults of the sky, he notices the little ants scuttling upon the ground, … More Wonder: the First Act of the Child and the Philosopher
Those who are close to me know that I have a rather complex relationship with modern psychology. As a teenager and young adult, I was deeply fascinated by this science. I have always been naturally inclined to ask myself the “why” of my feelings, thoughts, and behaviors and to search for the hidden roots of … More A Few Thoughts on the Fundamental Problem of Modern Psychology and How to Fix it
I recently had an encounter with an old friend that I hadn’t seen for nearly ten years. I had met her when I was in the thick of my New Age hippie phase and we had bonded over that type of spirituality. Needless to say, she found a very different person when she contacted me … More Should We Embrace the “Follow Your Heart” Mantra to Live a Fulfilling Life?
For many people, the phrase “ora et labora” is all they know about the Benedictine Order. It’s catchy and easy to remember, even for those who aren’t fluent in Latin. It means simply “pray and work”, and it’s supposed to describe the essence of the Benedictine life. In truth, St. Benedictine never uses the phrase … More The Wisdom of “Ora et Labora” and How To Apply It in Our Own Lives
I spent nearly a year living in a Benedictine monastery. It was an incredible experience that taught me many things, some of which I share on this blog. One of the most memorable lessons from that time was on the importance of silence. St. Benedict has a high regard for silence and dedicates an entire … More Why Silence Is So Important in the Spiritual Life
Tu Es Vita 