“Benedict’s entire conception of the monastic life is conveyed in the Prologue. The Rule is a means to salvation, because only in the kind of community outlined therein can the Gospel truly be followed. But by its very nature it is a ‘school for God’s service.’ This is a crucial feature of Benedict’s attitude not only to regulation but also to monastic life. For him, monasticism is a constant process rather than a completed fact. The monastery is an evolving organism because it consists of individuals who are growing in spirituality as they progress in the pursuit of God…. Monasticism, moreover, is a craft that must be learned through practice. As in any school, learners require instruction from those more experienced.”