A Common Rule for Monastics

The idea for this Common Rule grew out of the realization that many of us have become human doings, and have forgotten that we are actually supposed to be human beings first. The Common Rule helps us examine what it means to be a human being at the most basic levels, build on that knowledge to find our True Self, and then apply it in our own unique ways, serving as models of what life could be - a life of seeing deeply, living deeply, and loving deeply - a life that values relationships more than things, and ensures the dignity and respect of all persons. While this booklet was developed for the members of the Community of the Gospel, it can also be used by anyone seeking a foundation for a loving, spiritually-based life.