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Some Nazarene-Carmelite Truths Shared With Monasteries |
Ancient NazoreanTruths Preserved
In The Monastic Tradition
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Withdraw from the world into isolated communities.(Only
for Essenes called to such.)
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Regulated life under a spiritual father or mother. (Abbot
and Abbess. Modern Essene monasteries are coed, as are many "double monasteries"
in the western Benedictine tradition)
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All possessions held in common. (An advanced
state not required by all modern Essenes.)
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Vegetarian diet of bread, juice, one cooked dish and one raw dish each
non fast day. (This diet fluctuates through
the liturgical seasons in both modern and ancient Essene Monasteries, with
some modern Essenes keeping to all raw foods for restricted periods only)
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Food produced in common fields and gardens of the Order.
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Use of herbs and natural healing arts.
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Simple crafts pursued for use of the Order and to trade with the outside
world.(Only for Essenes called to such.)
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Simple robes devoid of status. (A form of attire
of renunciants and not required by all modern Essenes.)
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Partial separation of novices.
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Vows of silence.(Only for Essenes called
to such.)
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Observing of weekly fast periods.
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Use of a liturgical calendar.
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40 day periods of abstinence and fasting.(Only
for Essenes called to such.)
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Heavy focus on prayer and chanting.
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Mystical interpretation of scripture.
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Oratory or chapel as the center of the community.
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Common regulated meals whose time fluctuates with the seasons.(Only
for Essenes called to such.)
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Flowing with the rhythms of the seasons.
- Looking forward to the death of the body rather than fearing it.
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