Radical Balance and Reconciliation
Discover a powerful, spiritually centered, and eminently practical alternative to our often fragmented existence.
A Monastery Beyond Walls
For centuries bells of monasteries around the world have sounded the dual rhythms of spiritual life and practical living that bring order, balance, and harmony to monastic life. And beyond the walls of every monastery—neighboring farmers, busy merchants, weary travelers, and grateful pilgrims—have heard this powerful call to integrated living. So it is with The Community of Reconciliation.
Anchored through a complement of gatherings and resources at Washington National Cathedral—and experienced through a diverse constellation of individuals, communities, and organizations—the Community sounds anew the call to lives of order, balance, and harmony.
As participants in a “monastery beyond walls” the Community freshly engages the ancient-yet-evergreen wisdom and practice of Benedictine spiritual life. As a community of intention—we listen for the sacred among us; explore and share spiritual wisdom; renew body, mind, and spirit; passionately engage our work in the world; and joyfully companion all we meet along the journey.
An Ecumenical Journey
The community and practice of the Community of Reconciliation is rooted in the teaching and practice of Benedict, a six-century saint who established a fledgling monastic community in the hills of the Italian countryside. For more than fifteen centuries monastic communities of the Benedictine tradition have honored this wisdom way that weaves together spiritual life and practical living through lives of stability in community, shared wisdom, and transforming action in the world.
Those who chose—and were chosen—to live in this tiny monastery ordered their lives around a document known as the Rule. This simple guide offered a gentle framework for living that addressed equally the spiritual and physical realities of day-to-day life. For Benedict, every act could be an act of prayer. Through the centuries, this vibrant model has shaped the lives of millions of spiritual seekers both within and beyond the walls of any monastery.
Today, the Community honors this same wisdom, even as we live in our own communities beyond the walls of a monastic enclosure. This wisdom way resonates throughout the great faith and wisdom traditions of the world. And so, the Community welcomes all who seek the way of balance and reconciliation—people of all faiths, traditions, and spiritual perspectives.
A Constellation of Expressions
From a vibrant constellation of expressions, the Community helps us freshly experience community, wisdom, and transformation as we interpret and integrate the rhythms of prayer, study, recreation, right work, and hospitality throughout our lives.
Weekly gatherings and monthly learning sessions, special workshops and fun outings, times of shared prayer and personal reflection, online resources and seasonal retreats, annual pilgrimages and services of blessing open a way for all who wish to embrace the way of stability, wisdom, and harmony in the world.
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Companions on a Journey
As companions on a journey—the Community experiences the stability of shared intention, receive encouragement from supportive circles of wisdom, and cheer one another along as we honor the renewing rhythms of prayer, study, recreation, right work, and hospitality in the world.
Though anchored at Washington National Cathedral, the Community is ultimately expressed in an expanding, ecumenical and interfaith constellation of individuals and organizations that honor spiritual life aligned with the way of Benedict. Because we are linked together in spiritual relationship, the Community exists wherever two or more are gathered with an intention to live lives of balance and reconciliation.
A partnership of Washington National Cathedral and The Friends of Saint Benedict, the Community honors Washington National Cathedral’s mission as a spiritual home for all people.
A Community of Intention
The Community functions as a community of intention. All who choose this way of listening are welcome to participate as able. Together, we listen for the divine among us; explore and share spiritual wisdom; renew body, mind, and spirit; passionately engage our work in the world; and joyfully companion all we meet along the journey. In prayer, study, play, shared work, hospitality, and mutual encouragement we align ourselves with spiritual and practical life rhythms that can transform our world.
Lives, schedules, and priorities vary, so choose a participation rhythm most suited to your unique circumstances. Attend gatherings and events occasionally, weekly, monthly, seasonally, or choose to journey with a cluster of Companions over the course of a year. Wherever you are on your journey—whatever your faith tradition or perspective—we invite you to experience radical balance in life that fosters reconciliation in the world. You will be amazed at the difference it makes.
The following links will introduce you to the vibrant constellation of people, gatherings, and resources that comprise The Community of Reconciliation. Welcome on the journey!
Learn more about ways to experience the Community »
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