Though nearly 1500 years old, The Rule of St. Benedict remains one of the most influential texts in the Western monastic movement. It offers a unique insight into the early development of Christian monasticism and for believers, continues to offer guidance about incorporating meditation and prayer into devotions. Not long after Benedict devoted himself to a life of solitude and prayer, people began looking to him for guidance, and he helped found several monastic communities. After guiding these monasteries for decades, he developed rules for monastic living that sought to create a sustainable balance between daily structure and personal freedoms.