Diffusions :: The City Is My Monastery

What this book describes is immersion in the ways of the Spirit – an infectious immersion that draws others to trust, to hope, to try, to persevere. There’s discipline, routine and regularity; but these are suffused with imagination, hunger, desire, longing; and the whole is surrounded with irony, humour, self-deprecation, that seeks the pearl of great price, yet doesn’t take itself too seriously. This isn’t a definitive handbook, for all that the contents page might suggest. This is a series of memories, dreams and reflections, whose cumulative effect is to make one set the book aside and plunge into this life oneself. It’s an appetizer that draws one into an experiment.

— Samuel Wells, from the Foreword of The City Is My Monastery by Richard Carter

This book discussion will explore Richard Carter’s book The City Is My Monastery: A Contemporary Rule of Life. In this weekly journey, our group will meet via 1 1/2 hour Zoom sessions, Thursdays, 6-7:30 pm (Pacific) 9-10:30 pm (Eastern), to share thoughts and impressions of each chapter.

Discussion prompts will be provided on Tuesdays for the week’s discussion. Each meeting will involve a brief prayer/reflection, a review of ground rules, opportunities to share thoughts from the previous week, a tie to the Rule of St. Benedict, and a facilitated group discussion.

Commitment to the weekly reading is essential as is a commitment to attending and sharing in the weekly Zoom sessions. This program is a discussion rather than a lecture. The quality comes from your willingness to participate in the conversation.

Note: Please obtain a copy of The City Is My Monastery: A Contemporary Rule of Life by Richard Carter before the September 11th session.

Available at: https://paracletepress.com/products/the-city-is-my-monastery or wherever books are sold.

Diffusions offers online programs to further opportunities for prayer, learning, community, and spiritual growth from a Benedictine perspective. We look forward to bringing Wisdom from the Center to you, wherever you are.