Throughout this semester, the class has been exposed to numerous texts which reference how people interact with the world around them. Many of the texts asserted that an ascetic lifestyle is the best way to live life, since it allows for fewer distractions to interfere with the search for happiness and meaning. Being applied by various people through different means, it has proven to be a fruitful lifestyle since it reveals truth to those who search for it. The role of isolation, asceticism, and solitary nature in humanity’s search for truth is to provide refuge from the distractions of temporal goods.
Before delving into the opinions of the works discussed in class, the definition of truth should be established. According to St. Augustine, truth is found from inside of a person. When people know something is true, they are actually remembering knowledge which was learned prior to coming into this world. The truth is within people, so they just need to search for it internally. With less external distractions, it is easier to reflect and gain understanding. Each of the texts which will be noted in this paper agrees with this definition of truth. That is why the following referenced texts believe in the value of asceticism and isolation when it comes to searching for the truth. The Desert Fathers noted the necessity for isolation when they searched for eternal truths. …show more content…
They removed themselves from society and lived away from people to gain a deeper connection with their inner self and in turn with God. In the pamphlet received in class concerning the Desert Fathers, the following excerpt supports the beliefs which the Desert Fathers lived by: “Keep silence and do not compare yourself with others” (“The Sayings of the Desert Fathers” 42). This quote also accurately depicts how they regulated themselves: “Keep your attention on yourself” (“The Sayings of the Desert Fathers” 2). Not comparing themselves to others, the Desert Fathers removed themselves from temporal issues. They focus on themselves and lived life in a manner that God would approve. The lived in solidarity in order to gain understanding and to be unaffected by the corrupting influences of temporal, earthly matters. Focusing on the divine, they gained insight into how life should be conducted. The ultimate goal of a solitary life is to “achieve a tranquility of spirit, a balance that would be free from mental disturbance, and lead to a life of prayer that would focus on God, and through God’s grace bring about the sight of God” (Murphy 1-2). Likewise, the Rule of Saint Benedict and The Desert Father have similar views concerning the way in which truth is found. The Rule of Saint Benedict asserts that asceticism is an integral part of living a life guided by God and His will. Similarly to the Desert Fathers, St. Benedict understood that living a life regulated by discipline and rules allowed people to no longer be occupied by temporal issues. This gave them the opportunity to focus solely on the divine and to live justly, conducting a life based on truth. They believed in a life of asceticism. Asceticism is the practice of living a life of self-discipline. An example of the rules that those who follow the Rule of Saint Benedict had to live by is shown in the following excerpt: “I have put a guard on my mouth. I was silent and was humbled, and I refrained even from good words” (Saint Benedict 31). Even though some may see this way of life as confining and strict, it allows those who live in such a way to experience a freedom from the issues of this world. It allows for less distractions to inhibit their search for truth. By quiet reflection, they give themselves the opportunity to discover God’s truths through their meditations and prayers. Abbott Mark addressed this in his lecture. Abbott Mark’s lecture addressed that self-discipline and self-denial are essential when it comes to following Christ and finding truth. He stated that the Rule gives insight into humanity. He also spoke about how Benedict was searching for direction and truth in his life (Abbott Mark, 2015). In his search for truth, he put God at the center of his life and went to live on his own.
Before delving into the opinions of the works discussed in class, the definition of truth should be established. According to St. Augustine, truth is found from inside of a person. When people know something is true, they are actually remembering knowledge which was learned prior to coming into this world. The truth is within people, so they just need to search for it internally. With less external distractions, it is easier to reflect and gain understanding. Each of the texts which will be noted in this paper agrees with this definition of truth. That is why the following referenced texts believe in the value of asceticism and isolation when it comes to searching for the truth. The Desert Fathers noted the necessity for isolation when they searched for eternal truths. …show more content…
They removed themselves from society and lived away from people to gain a deeper connection with their inner self and in turn with God. In the pamphlet received in class concerning the Desert Fathers, the following excerpt supports the beliefs which the Desert Fathers lived by: “Keep silence and do not compare yourself with others” (“The Sayings of the Desert Fathers” 42). This quote also accurately depicts how they regulated themselves: “Keep your attention on yourself” (“The Sayings of the Desert Fathers” 2). Not comparing themselves to others, the Desert Fathers removed themselves from temporal issues. They focus on themselves and lived life in a manner that God would approve. The lived in solidarity in order to gain understanding and to be unaffected by the corrupting influences of temporal, earthly matters. Focusing on the divine, they gained insight into how life should be conducted. The ultimate goal of a solitary life is to “achieve a tranquility of spirit, a balance that would be free from mental disturbance, and lead to a life of prayer that would focus on God, and through God’s grace bring about the sight of God” (Murphy 1-2). Likewise, the Rule of Saint Benedict and The Desert Father have similar views concerning the way in which truth is found. The Rule of Saint Benedict asserts that asceticism is an integral part of living a life guided by God and His will. Similarly to the Desert Fathers, St. Benedict understood that living a life regulated by discipline and rules allowed people to no longer be occupied by temporal issues. This gave them the opportunity to focus solely on the divine and to live justly, conducting a life based on truth. They believed in a life of asceticism. Asceticism is the practice of living a life of self-discipline. An example of the rules that those who follow the Rule of Saint Benedict had to live by is shown in the following excerpt: “I have put a guard on my mouth. I was silent and was humbled, and I refrained even from good words” (Saint Benedict 31). Even though some may see this way of life as confining and strict, it allows those who live in such a way to experience a freedom from the issues of this world. It allows for less distractions to inhibit their search for truth. By quiet reflection, they give themselves the opportunity to discover God’s truths through their meditations and prayers. Abbott Mark addressed this in his lecture. Abbott Mark’s lecture addressed that self-discipline and self-denial are essential when it comes to following Christ and finding truth. He stated that the Rule gives insight into humanity. He also spoke about how Benedict was searching for direction and truth in his life (Abbott Mark, 2015). In his search for truth, he put God at the center of his life and went to live on his own.