Beverly Lanzetta
May I Be Mindful
“May my day begin in mindfulness,
aware of the divine flame within.
May I share love with all of creation,
in gratitude and compassion.
May I open my heart to all who suffer today,
those I meet and those whom I may never meet.
May I understand how suffering wounds your tender heart,
and pierces my humanity with grief.
May my being, broken open by the glory and suffering of
the world, be transformed into a wish-fulfilling jewel.
May my heart be beautiful, illumined by fire,
enlightened by wisdom, and softened by compassion.
May joy burst forth from my presence,
like a bouquet of flowers in full bloom!”
Copyright © Beverly Lanzetta, A Feast of Prayer: Universal Liturgy of Hours, Forthcoming, 2021.
Beverly Lanzetta
Beverly Lanzetta is a modern day mystic whose soul purpose is to live in union with the Divine. A theologian, prolific author, and academic, she founded many contemplative based initiatives, including the Hesychia School of Spiritual Direction and the Community of a New Monastic Way. She has served as a mentor, spiritual director, and guide for those on the contemplative path. She synthesized her spiritual experience, years of teaching, and scholarly inquiry into the Via Feminina - a mystical theology that integrates Divine Truth from women’s experiences in ancient and modern traditions. The Via Feminina is aware of the body, mind, and soul and is concerned with healing wounds related to race, gender, culture, sexual orientation and religious belief. Beverly Lanzetta’s inclusive theology is a balm for body, mind, and soul.
Creating a Rule of Life
This quote by author and entrepreneur Seth Godin really got me thinking about how we live our lives, “Instead of wondering when your next vacation is, maybe you should set up a life you don’t need to escape from.” Beverly Lanzetta founded a new monastic community. Monastic communities share a common rule of life about how they will live, study, work and pray together. However, a rule of life is not just for monastics. A rule of life is for anyone who yearns to live with intention and integrity.
Rule of life comes from the Latin, regula vitae. A rule of life doesn’t tell us how we must live, but how we might live. It is about possibility, not perfection. A rule of life is meant to guide us into a pattern of life that honors what we value most.
A rule of life allows you to clarify your deepest values, your most important relationships, your most authentic hopes and dreams, your most meaningful work, your highest priorities. It creates a structure for you to live with intention and purpose in the present moment. It’s not so much about what we do with our time, but it also captures why we spend the time the way we do.
This week, I invite you to write a rule of life in order to create an intentional life that you don’t need to escape from.
Begin by identifying your core values (i.e. joy, laughter, integrity, respect, care of creation). The sky is the limit!
Prioritize your top three to five core values.
What patterns or practices support your core values?
Are the practices realistic given your current life situation? Are the practices coming from a place of joy or duty? If they’re coming from a place of deep desire and joy, you are more likely to live into your rule of life.
Create a rule of life based on your core values.
When you live your life based on your core values, you will be living in alignment with your soul’s purpose which brings joy, peace, and freedom.
Knowing your core values will help you discern when to say yes and when to say no, freeing you up to say yes only to those things that really matter. Discernment of how you spend your time and what you give your attention to leads to living your most authentic life.
Blessings on your journey, Radiant Soul! If you want to talk about your core values or writing a rule of life, let’s talk! Email me at hello@spiralingsoulward.com