This week I’m considering two spiritual classics from very different traditions: the Bhagavad Gita and the Rule of St. Benedict—well, sort of. Due to a packing mishap and a limited bookstore selection, I ended up reading Benedict’s Way, a modern commentary that includes excerpts from the Rule, rather than the Rule itself. Not ideal, but still worthwhile.
I also tried a technique I’ve used before: reading both texts in tandem, switching back and forth every few sections. The hope was to let the texts “talk” to each other. While the Gita turned out to be far more cohesive than I expected, the method still worked; it helped me reflect more deeply and spot some surprising resonances.
The Bhagavad Gita, a Hindu sacred text, is a dialog between Krishna and the warrior Arjuna, who is paralyzed by moral doubt on the battlefield. Krishna urges him to act according to his dharma—his essential nature and duty—without attachment to outcomes. It’s a powerful reflection on purpose, identity, and spiritual freedom. And despite some troubling implications about who gets access to enlightenment, it’s my favorite of all the Eastern texts so far.
Meanwhile, Benedict’s Way offered a glimpse into monastic—and any kind of communal— life centered on humility, community, and attentiveness to God and neighbor. It’s full of practical, humane wisdom, from leadership advice to a firm stance on not grumbling.
Together, these texts suggest that joy, discipline, and love of the divine aren’t exclusive to one tradition. And both offer something compelling for modern life.
This is a year-long reading project! Next week: Augustine’s Confessions. (Spoiler: it’s so good.)
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