The Essence of the Monastic Life

The essence of monastic life is not defined merely by external practices or isolation for its own sake, but by its ultimate spiritual goal of union with God. Growing in God’s love through the imitation of Christ and adherence to His word in the Holy Scriptures; living in love, repentance, humility, unceasing prayer and labour.

Saint Paul emphasises this spiritual aim in his epistle: “It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me”— Galatians 2:20. This verse perfectly encapsulates the heart of monastic life as the gradual death of the self-centred ego and the birth of Christ centred existence.

“We are hard pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed--always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus' sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh.” —2 Corinthians 4:8-11.