Friend of the Soul: A Benedictine Spirituality of Work Book

This is the second Norvene Vest book that I've read and one which touches upon a major concern of mine over the last few years- how to connect work in all its manifestations with spirituality. That is, at best, a connundrum for most of us and Ms. Vest brings the wisdom of the Benedictine tradition to the question.

Using the Rule of Benedict as the orienation point, Ms. Vest discusses aspects of how to understand work today and to incorporate spirituality in one's work. That is a feat because we are told all to often that our work is not related to our spirituality. Yet, Vest argues that spirituality is an important aspect of work as understood by Benedict and suggests that this would be helpful to re-integrate one's work life with one's spiritual life. It is a vision that I find attractive and helpful, whether in my teaching life or simply in cleaning my deck at home. Either way, it is a gift to my students or my family or whoever. That is an important thing to me.

Vest also includes extensive reflections questions at the end of each chapter which are helpful, if occasionally overwhelming in their number. This is an important book on a neglected subject and well worth reading.