A quote:
The great aim of monastic life for Benedict was as simple as it was demanding: the aim was to pray constantly, in the general sense of keeping the memory of God alive in your heart at every moment of the day and night. [..]
Monastic life aims to remind us constantly that God is in our midst and sets up a virtuous circle of awareness to help us do this: pray constantly, in order to have a pure heart, in order to see God everywhere, in order to pray constantly.
“Finding Sanctuary: Monastic Steps for Everyday Life” (Abbot Christopher Jamison), p. 55