Creating a Rule of Life: The True Monastery is Within

Registration now open for a new online course

We’re excited to share that registration is now open for our Rule of Life course—a 5-week exploration in creating a deep and authentic spiritual rhythm for daily living.

Spiritual masters from across the ages have recognized that spiritual desire is not enough to do the difficult work of transformation. We all need some kind of scaffolding, some structure to keep us aligned with our heart’s deepest longing. In the Christian monastic tradition, this was known as a “rule of life.”

But historically, an external authority would impose a particular rule of life with little or no input from the seeker. While this system created powerful containment and a sense of belonging to a tradition, it ignored, even erased individual differences and needs.

Human spirituality, human consciousness are evolving. Among the emergent capacities of the human being is the ability to hold contradiction and paradox. In the example at hand, both extremes are problematic:

• No spiritual scaffolding can lead to chaos and dissolution, or perhaps stagnation and aimlessness.

• Too much structure (especially when imposed from the outside) can suffocate the unique spiritual impulses and fire of the seeker.

We can learn to hold both qualities of form and flexibility without compromising the integrity of either. In short, a rule of life is a creative constraint that energizes and illuminates spiritual life.

At Lower Lights, we see a rule of life as an invaluable tool for creating spiritual potency in our personal spiritual lives and in community. What’s more, we believe a rule of life is as vital for lay practitioners, “householders,” as it is for monks and nuns in the monastery.

The term “monastery” derives from the early Greek, “monachos.” Monachos simply means “one” or “single.” So whether we are raising a family, building community, or offering service to the world through the work we do professionally, a rule of life can help us live with an eye single to our deepest commitments and highest aspirations.

Ultimately, the true monastery is within.

Whether you consider yourself religious and are already participating in a tradition, or are post-religious and hungry for guidance and companionship on the meditative path, a rule of life can offer just enough structure to help you give more of yourself to what you really value in this “wild and precious life.”

In our upcoming 5-session Zoom series, we will:

• Explore the key elements to creating your own Rule of Life:

  • Lineage & Spiritual Direction

  • Sacred Text

  • Rhythm of Meditation Practice

  • Conduct

  • Relationship

  • Livelihood

• Practice contemplative listening—“obedience” as ob-audire, listening from one’s depths toward a higher truth—and drawing inspiration from one another as we chart our own unique paths.

• Offer you support in creating your own rule of life—inspired and informed by the wisdom traditions, but ultimately authored by you.

Participants in the course will have the option of joining a journey group after the 5-week offering concludes. These groups will be limited to 20 participants, meet monthly, and continue to deepen their meditative rhythms together throughout 2026.

Course Details

When: Every Tuesday, starting March 31st from 6-7:30 pm MT
Dates: 3/31, 4/7, 4/14, 4/21, 4/28
Where: Online via Zoom
Tuition (2 Options, financial aid available)

• $250 - Live, weekly via zoom (recordings will be sent after each session)

• $200 - Recordings ONLY (will not receive zoom link)

This will be an intimate group of intentional pilgrims breaking new ground with Thomas and the Lower Lights team. We invite you to join the caravan!

Much Love,

Thomas and the Lower Lights Team