Discuss the sense moderation and balance in the rule of st Benedict.

1. INTRODUCTION
“Through a balanced pattern of living and praying, St Benedict reached the point where he glimpsed the glory of God.” The rule of St. Benedict with regards to the moderation and balance in pattern of living could be related with the sort of virtue described by the past philosophical genius, when they said that “virtue starts in the middle.
Also, creating a balance in the act of holiness which St Benedict emphasise in the rule is very important for an adage would have it that “too much of anything is simply bad.”
Moderation and balance created by St. Benedict in the rules comprises the main characteristics of the rule. C. Amogu in his unpublished work clearly noted that
“the major characteristics of this holy rule are its wonderful discretion and moderation, its extreme reasonableness and its keen insight into the capabilities as well as the weakness of human nature. There are no excesses, no extra ordinary asceticism, no narrow mindedness, but rather a series of sober regulations based upon sound common sense. We see these qualities displayed in the deliberate elimination of austerities and in concessions made with regard to what the monks would have looked upon as luxuries.”
Unlike the founding fathers of monastic life in Egypt, Benedict regards saintly life as the life devoid of total austerities and absolute asceticism. The rule would try its possible way to create a moderation and balance between an ascetical life and mystical life. His rule is not a total dismissal of ascetical life; it is a sort of creating unity and mediation between the life of austerity (strict asceticism) and living socially among the people.
2. THE MODERATION AND BALANCE IN RULES OF ST BENEDICT
It is most probable that the rule of St. Benedict is a general rule that touches the most life of people both in the monastery and outside. It contains the works of the people in the monastery and even the guest in the monastery. Compared to other precepts, the rule provides a moderate path between individual zeal and formulaic institutionalism; because of this middle ground it has been widely popular. Benedict, following the effect made by the rule, shows his sense of moderation.
“for instance, he encourages his monks to be deeply involved in the inter personal relationships in the community and to devote sufficient time to solitude in order to relate to God as responsible balance between a realistic appraisal of human conduct and an idealistic hope of the height that one can attain by divine grace.” In a most gentle and clarifying way, Benedict’s method of describing the monastic life of worship, study, and work as outlined in the rule is a clear indication of sense of moderation.
With a clear reference to the rule, Benedict in the chapters of the rule was able to create the meaning of certain virtues which when applied even by laity will lead them to God. Thus, his descriptions of those virtues are characterised by both in the monastery and beyond. With regards to location, personality and cultural influence, personality difference and time difference, his rule reflects on these situations. Although, there is a general conception that the life of a monk is spent in solitude and compulsory fasting are conducted. The rule of St Benedict brings awareness that fasting is done at the person’s discretion. And thus the rule makes it known that “you must not be conceited, nor be a lover of wine, and beware of too much eating or sleeping too much, or making no effort.” This rule stresses the importance of moderation from the above rule. The differences in human being are much considered, even when he is apprehended and excommunicated, the Abbot always looks for a possible to correct those differences found in their life. Thus the rule puts it that “the Abbot should be always anxious to act with care with regard to brothers who do wrong ‘it is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick”. That recognition of differences in people in the monastery as the rule enquires exhumes or extracted his moderation. He advises that “each one should be treated according to age and intelligence.” This institutes certain kind of considering the weakness in people and being able to discharge the duty in the monastery very well.
Love of one another is stressed very well in the monastery. Although, silence is much needed in the monastery but one’s attitude to his fellow brother is very demanding. Silence does not restrict their ability to be of great help to each other in his weaknesses. Benedict advises with the spirit of fraternity that “those who are not strong will be given help so that their work does not cause them to be sad....” Love is all about moderation of excesses and St. Benedict stressed that in the rule. The sick are considered during labour. The sick people out of love are allowed to do certain things. This portrays a kind of love shown to the sick people. Benedict was able to recognise