The Worth of Everything

Five blokes have decided to find out if there’s more to life than sex and shopping (or, in one case, cycling and digging the allotment). The BBC’s chosen method for this exploration is to send them for 40 days and 40 nights to live the life of Benedictine monks at Worth Abbey in Sussex. The TV series is entitled ‘The Monastery’.

Despite the dour predictions of my TV Guide that ‘this is television which will appeal to a narrow, select audience of those left behind when the sensation-seekers have flipped away to other channels…’, I found the first episode compelling, and can’t wait to see what happens next.

Seeking meaning beyond the immediate demands of material existence is high on the secular agenda at the moment. There’s plenty of scientific evidence that those who feel that their life has a purpose are more likely to enjoy high levels of mental health and life satisfaction. In September of last year the New Economics Foundation launched ‘a wellbeing manifesto for a flourishing society’, arguing that the government’s first priority ought to be to help UK citizens to be happier and more fulfilled – not richer and more depressed.

The manifesto builds upon the key insight outlined by Professor Richard Layard of the London School of Economics in his recent book, ‘Happiness: Lessons from a New Science’ (Penguin, 2005). At a recent study day in the Diocese, he focused on the apparent paradox that whilst GDP in the UK has nearly doubled over the last 30 years, measures of well-being have remained static. The fact is that once basic needs have been met, extra material wealth has little or no effect on life satisfaction and happiness. What makes us happy is not more money but better relationships and time to enjoy them; play and creativity, and participation in community life. Precisely those things that we neglect in our search for greater material wealth. It seems that our acquisitive society’s been barking rather spectacularly up the wrong tree.

Religious people have always known that, of course (at least in theory). The Benedictine Rule is a particularly well worked-out example of work/recreation/community-life balance – with a more than healthy dose of silence and personal reflection thrown in. It remains to be seen how the men in ‘The Monastery’ take to it. Will it provide the meaning and purpose they seek? Or will they be desperate to rush back to their mobiles, I-pods, sex chatlines and BMWs (or that bicycle)? The monks are phenomenally wise and seriously impressive spiritual guides, and if the first episode is anything to go by, I reckon there’s all to play for.

Alison Webster is the diocesan Social Responsibility Adviser, and author of Wellbeing (SCM Press)