The Paradox of Emotional Healing and the Rule

We are faced with a paradox. Our question is how the Rule guides us into personal healing, but in some ways this is actually counter to the spirit of the Rule. In chapter 4, Benedict lists one of the instruments of good works as "To deny oneself in order to follow Christ." Anglican commentator on the Rule Esther deWaal says, "The goal of my life is not self-fulfilment....My goal is Christ." Catholic theologian Dietrich von Hildebrand puts it this way: "True personality is not a goal worthy in itself...The criterion for determining whether a man is a true personality in the ultimate sense is found in his longing for God as the highest good..." Finally, Scripture tells us "Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you." (Mt. 6:33).
To seek one's life is to lose it, but to Seek the Lord is gain all things. (Mt.10:34;16:25)