Beginnings I tell the story of my conversion to Christ as an adolescent and subsequent transition from a shop-lifting, drug-using juvenile delinquent to a young adult struggling to follow Christ, but lacking any knowledge of spiritual practices and tools. I set the stage for the reader by discussing the events that led to my taking a pilgrimage to Ireland, which introduced me to the concept of a rule or rhythm of life. Part One: Invitation to a Pilgrimage Chapter 1 Discovering the Treasure of an Ancient Path This chapter explains how, as an urban pastor spiritually treading water in my early thirties, I trav-eled to Ireland and visited many of the important sites of Celtic Christianity and at the same time discovered the work and spiritual disciplines of Saint Benedict. Connecting this experience with the practices of my Samurai-scholar ancestors in Japan, I describe how my pilgrimage to Ireland prompted me to explore the idea of a rule of life, its importance, and its application in my own life and the lives of others. Chapter 2 Creating a Spiritual Ecosystem This chapter uses the image of a trellis to show how a rule or rhythm provides a framework for our becoming more like Jesus. Drawing on my experiences as a sailing enthusiast, I illustrate how a rhythm of life enables us to grow: raising and trimming sails, an image for our participation in God's work of purification, works in tandem with the wind, a symbol for God's grace. Using the careers of Michael Jordan and Yo-Yo Ma as illustrations, I show how deliberate practice, rather than sheer talent or giftedness alone, fosters a person's spiritual development. In order to guide this deliberate practice, I explain the importance of finding a coach, a spiritual friend, and a supportive community to help us build our spiritual ecosystem. Chapter 3 A Rule that Bends but Doesn't Break This chapter opens by flashing back to a time in my twenties in Tokyo, Japan, when, at the very time others considered me to be a rising star in the Sony Corporation, I felt like I was losing my soul. I describe how, as a result, I unconsciously began to engage in practices that restored spiritual health to my life---I began living by a rule of life. Then, in order to provide a biblical foundation for living by a rule, I explore the life of Daniel as a model in Scripture of someone who lived by a rhythm. Finally, I move to the practical. I outline the different potential categories of a rule: Sab-bath, prayer, lectio, spiritual friendship, sexuality, family, care for the body, recreation, play, mon-ey, work, and mission. I close by giving a series of practical suggestions on how to craft the rhythm: start simply, build slowly, and prune. Part Two: The Core Practices Chapter 4 Oasis for Body and Soul This chapter explores how setting aside one day of Sabbath rest in seven creates a sanctuary for us in time. I show how this day of rest not only gifts our bodies with rest but also offers peace for our soul as we are freed from our compulsive need to define ourselves by what we achieve. Citing examples from traditional monastics and illustrating this theme with the experiences of a student, an engineer, and a parent, I demonstrate how pilgrims of Christ can establish periods of rest in their lives. This chapter connects these ideas about Sabbath with creative ways readers can keep Sabbath, namely by worshiping in community, enjoying loved ones, and recreating in creation. Chapter 5 Deepening Our Friendship with God This chapter describes prayer as a way of growing a friendship with God. I show how the analogy of prayer as a friendship with God helps us form realistic expectations for the difficult seasons of our spiritual life, whether that season is parenting young children or a long season of drought. Drawing on the example of Benedictine monks, I offer ways of creating a rhythm for spending time with God in our lives---even for those unable to s
