the way to true spiritual freedom

The Ten Commandments

by Abbot Oscar Joseph OCCO Contemplative Monk

About The Book

The 10 Commandments: The Way to True Spiritual Freedom is not another rule book, not another moral checklist, and not another attempt to drag ancient laws into a modern world. It is a spiritual awakening. A re introduction. A rediscovery of the path God intended for the human heart from the beginning.

In this compelling and deeply contemplative work, Abbot Oscar Joseph invites readers to step beyond the common misunderstandings of the Ten Commandments and encounter them as a living, liberating way of life. With the gentle authority of a seasoned monk and the clarity of a spiritual guide, he reveals how these ancient words speak directly to the wounds, anxieties, and confusions of the modern age.

Rather than presenting the commandments as restrictions, Abbot Oscar Joseph unveils them as the architecture of inner freedom—a divine pattern that straightens what has bent inward, heals what has been wounded, and restores what has been lost. Each commandment becomes a doorway into a larger, more spacious life: a life of reverence, truth, compassion, fidelity, and peace.

Readers will discover:

• How the commandments free us from the tyranny of self absorption
• How they heal families and strengthen households
• How they form communities rooted in justice, mercy, and truth
• How they guide us toward a life of spiritual clarity and emotional wholeness
• How they reveal the heart of God in the midst of a fractured world

Drawing from monastic wisdom, pastoral experience, and a lifetime of contemplative practice, Abbot Oscar Joseph offers a vision of the commandments that is both ancient and urgently relevant. His writing is warm, accessible, and deeply human—inviting readers not to obey out of fear, but to walk a path that leads to joy.

This book is for anyone who longs for a simpler, truer, more grounded way of living. It is for families seeking peace, individuals seeking purpose, and communities seeking healing. It is for those who are weary of noise and hunger for clarity. It is for those who sense that life was meant to be more—and are ready to rediscover the way.

The 10 Commandments: The Way to True Spiritual Freedom is more than a book.
It is a guide.
A companion.
A quiet revolution of the heart.

Beacon of Hope

Greetings, I am Abbot Oscar Joseph. God has given me the mission to help set His people free so that they may live in the Joy of Spiritual Freedom. Indeed we are living in, with, and through God. Please think of yourself as part of the Beacon of Hope community.

Abbot Oscar Joseph’s biography Education: He holds a Master of Science in Education, doctoral degrees in Sacred Theology (Scripture) and Christian Counseling, and several honorary doctorates. Ministry: Ordained as a priest in 1993, he was consecrated as a bishop in 2002 and took his final vows as a monk in 1999. He has served thirty-five years as a Christian Counselor, and twenty-five years as the Abbot General for the Cistercian Order of the Holy Cross. Roles: He has served as a TV and radio personality, former pastor of a local conservative Anglican Church, college educator, retreat master, and seminar leader Abbot Oscar Joseph is known for his extensive background in education, having taught psychology, sociology, Old and New Testament, English, and ethics at several local community colleges He is also the Founder/President of St. Stephen Harding Theological College and Seminary. Publications He has authored numerous books. God has blessed him with a vocation of a mystic, healer, and contemplative monk.

More Books by Beacon of Hope

Listen with the Ear of Your Heart

Your Pilgrimage Toward Intimacy With God

by Abbot Oscar Joseph O.C.C.O. Contemplative Monk

Abbot Oscar Joseph places a strong emphasis on the foundational role of Scripture and the teachings of the Church Fathers. He encourages the study and meditation of the Bible, using it as a guide for personal and communal spiritual growth. The writings of early Christian theologians and leaders provide a rich resource for understanding the faith and its traditions.
Rule of St. Benedict
The Rule of St. Benedict is often referred to as Scripture’s addendum and is a cornerstone of Brother Oscar Joseph's teachings. This Rule outlines principles for living, emphasizing values such as:
Prayer: Regular and disciplined prayer is central to deepening one's relationship with God.
Work: Engaging in meaningful work as a form of prayer and service.
Community Life: Building a supportive, loving community where individuals grow together in faith.
Prayer, Meditation, and Contemplation
These spiritual practices are vital in Brother Oscar Joseph’s teachings:
Prayer: Engaging in regular, heartfelt communication with God.
Meditation, reflecting on Scripture, and spiritual writings to gain deeper insights.
Contemplation: Experiencing the presence of God in silence and stillness, allowing for a transformative connection.
Spiritual Direction
Abbot Oscar Joseph offers spiritual direction to help individuals navigate their spiritual journey. This involves one-on-one guidance to explore personal faith, address doubts and fears, and discern God's will.
Healing Ministry
A significant part of Brother Oscar Joseph's work is a healing ministry, in which he shares God’s grace through numerous miraculous healings and teaches others to minister healing to those in need. This involves prayer, laying on hands, and relying on the power of the Holy Spirit. His healing services and public presentations are done in a quite reverential style.

Getting Healed, Staying Healed

A Christian Guide to healing body, mind and spirit for those searching for healing and those guiding them.

by Abbot Oscar Joseph, O.C.C.O., Contemplative Monk and Kathleen Rivest Pd.D.. D.D.

A Christian Guide to healing body, mind and spirit for those searching for healing and those guiding them.

Memoirs of a Christian Healer

Real Life Stories, Genuine Healings

by Abbot Oscar Joseph, O.C.C.O., Contemplative Monk

Real stories about God's love for the "unwanted".

The Joy of Spiritual Freedom

No More Doubt/ No More Fear

by Abbot Oscar Joseph O.C.C.O. Contemplative Monk and Kathleen Rivest, Ph.D., DD

Three in One

Companion Workbooks for The Joy of Spiritual Freedom, Listen with the Ear of Your Heart, and Memoirs of a Christian Healer.

by Abbot Oscar Joseph, O.C.C.O., Contemplative Monk

Willl help with spiritual development

Beating Temptations

A genuine preparation that works

by Abbot Oscar Joseph, O.C.C.O., Contemplative Monk

Beating Temptations offers clear, practical guidance for overcoming spiritual struggles and growing closer to God. With pastoral wisdom and simple tools, Brother Oscar Joseph equips readers to recognize temptation, resist it with confidence, and walk in lasting spiritual freedom.

Love to Death

My First Publication 1969

by Abbot Oscar Joseph, O.C.C.O., Contemplative Monk

Does God Test Us?

The question of the centuries

by Abbot Oscar Joseph, O.C.C.O., Contemplative Monk

What sets this book apart is its pastoral heart. Abbot Oscar Joseph writes not as an academic observer but as a spiritual father who has walked with countless souls through suffering, healing, and transformation. His insights into Catholic and Anglican perspectives further enrich the work, offering an ecumenical breadth that strengthens its relevance for a wide Christian audience.

Heaven

Happiness and Fulfillment

by Abbot Oscar Joseph, O.C.C.O., Contemplative Monk

Whether read in quiet devotion or shared in fellowship, Heaven, Happiness, Fulfillment speaks to the deepest longings of the human heart and affirms that true happiness begins with the eternal.

Life Changing Writings

by Abbot Oscar Joseph, O.C.C.O., Contemplative Monk

A beautiful companion for prayer, reflection, and spiritual growth—this is a book readers will return to again and again.

The Lie Of Self-Esteem

There is a way to greater confidence

by Abbot Oscar Joseph, O.C.C.O., Contemplative Monk

Whether you are a seeker, a spiritual leader, or someone longing for deeper peace, The Lie of Self-Esteem will challenge your assumptions, comfort your soul, and guide you toward the confidence that only God can give

Divine Healing

A Practical Application on How God Heals Today

by Abbot Oscar Joseph, O.C.C.O., Contemplative Monk

Praying Unceasingly

Problems and Solutions

by Abbot Oscar Joseph, O.C.C.O., Contemplative Monk

THE CALL THAT CHANGES EVERYTHING

An Ordained Minister’s Discernment, Sorrows, and Joys

by

A Life of Grace and Grit

Memoir

by Abbot Oscar Joseph, O.C.C.O., Contemplative Monk

Handbook for Christian Unity

by Abbot Oscar Joseph, O.C.C.O., Contemplative Monk

A Soul's Journey Home

Discovering God's Companionship From Earth to Eternity

by Abbot Oscar Joseph, O.C.C.O., Contemplative Monk

LIVING A JOY-FILLED LIFE

IT'S EASIER THAN YOU THINK

by ABBOT OSCAR JOSEPH OCCO

A Compassionate, Powerful Plan to Move from Defeat to Victory

by Abbot Oscar Joseph, O.C.C.O., Contemplative Monk

God Sets Us Free

by Abbot Oscar Joseph, O.C.C.O., Contemplative Monk