Oblate Program at Belmont Abbey, NC

Attainment of peace of heart

Aelred of Rievaulx lists six stages to be passed through in the attainment of peace of heart and tranquility of mind.

  • The rejection of worldly standards, particularly the search for pleasure or possessions and the ambition for honors.
  • The setting aside of self-love, vanity, pride, and the comparison of self with others.
  • Reflection on the necessities to which one is subject, as a creature subject to the desires of the flesh.
  • The experience of one’s one infirmity, i.e., one’s, incapacity to do good and resist evil.
  • Learning to place a guard over one’s mouth and to be disciplined and restrained in speech.
  • The practice of bodily stillness and stability in all one’s undertakings.
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