A Contemplative Prayer Practice for Cultivating Humility
A Contemplative Prayer Practice for Cultivating Humility
By Aluminé Andrew, adapted from The Monastic Heart
The Benedictine Rule describes a 12-rung ladder of humility that author, Benedict of Nursia (c.480-c.547), believed led to a holy, happy life.
In her book, The Monastic Heart, Joan Chittister, a Benedictine monastic, explains how these steps (or degrees) of humility can apply in our modern context. They are summarised below.
Contemplative Prayer Practice
Take a moment to pause, to soften your body, and open your inner being to God.
Slowly read through the 12 humility-led practices.
Choose one that you sense is for you at this time.
Sit with it for a while, and reflect on your need of it.
Consider what it might look, sound, or feel like to have more of this quality.
Ask God for the grace to grow and flourish in this expression of humility.
Humility leads us:
To recognise that God is always present: within, around and before us, guiding us through life.
To realise that God’s will is best for us, no matter how difficult life may seem.
To be willing to receive guidance and direction from wise others.
To realise that we need a confidant with whom we can be completely honest.
To be congruent; able to acknowledge our faults and secret struggles.
To be content with less than the best of everything, embracing ‘enoughness’.
To realise that there is nothing in the worst of people that is not also in me, therefore I do not boast about myself nor judge others.
To learn from our communities and seek to maintain their goodness.
To take time to listen to others, thinking carefully before speaking.
To abandon the urge to ridicule, or to be crude or frivolous in conversation.
To speak kindly, gently and reasonably to others.
To be authentic to my best self, with simplicity and serenity, secure in God.
Joan Chittister, The Monastic Heart: 50 Simple Practices for a Contemplative and Fulfilling Life.
(London: Hodder & Stoughton, 2022). The 12 degrees towards humility are unpacked in chapters 39-41.
Aluminé Andrew has a spiritual direction practice in Christchurch, and leads retreats, quiet days and workshops. She also spins wool, knits and helps out at the local guild. She is married, has four adult children and one gorgeous dog
This contemplative prayer practice was included in the December 2024 issue of Refresh.
Refresh is SGM’s journal of contemplative spirituality in Aotearoa, New Zealand. You can view the current issue of Refresh or browse the archives in the Refresh section of this website.
