The Institute for the Urban Monk
The Urban Monk web site provides a wide-range of spiritual practices that help urban monks and others select the kind of practices to include in a Rule of Life in order to advance integration into action. Creating an integrative Rule of Life with personally selected spiritual practices will result in a life-long transformative relationship with God and others.
What is a Rule of Life?
A Rule of Life is an ancient practice that has helped individuals and religious communities nurture communal and individual lives in order to deepen their relationships with God. Click here to read more.
What is Integration?
Integration is a daily act and life long process that is intentional about personally selecting various spiritual practices to be included in an integrative Rule of Life in order to experience transformation and help transform others and the places that make up our everyday world. Click here to read more.
“Becoming an Urban Monk: A Personal Experience of Integration”
(by Joe Colletti, PhD)
The expression “urban monk” was coined, by Joe Colletti, PhD several years ago. Becoming an Urban Monk has been a personal journey that has taken place over the past few decades and which has been described in the paper entitled above. Click here to read paper.
Bibliography of Spiritual Practices
Click here for a bibliography that consists of brief descriptions of various articles and books about spiritual practices by ancient and contemporary authors that you may find useful and incorporate into an integrative Rule of Life.
list of Spiritual Practices
(by Joe Colletti, PhD)
Click here for descriptions of various spiritual practices that Joe Colletti, PhD has written to help with the experience of integration.
The Society of Urban Monks
The Society of Urban Monks consists of a community of men and women located in Los Angeles County who are involved in community service through employment and/or volunteer efforts and are committed to integrating their experiences of service into their spiritual lives through individual and collective spiritual practices. This daily act and life-long process helps them become agents of change and healing within the communities in which they live, work, worship, recreate, socialize, and serve.
What Is An Urban Monk?
An Urban Monk is a man or woman who is committed to developing a Rule of Life that consists of spiritual practices that moves integration into practice. Read more...
Why Become An Urban Monk?
A person becomes an Urban Monk in order to further integration. The use of spiritual practices, as a means of integration, becomes a challenging and transforming force that often changes the way we see and interact with everyone and everything. Read more...
How Do I Become An Urban Monk?
A man or woman becomes an Urban Monk by committing to the following activities of the Society of Urban Monks: Read more...