Christian Monastic Order Nigredo for Mysticism and Zen

Christian Order Nigredo - Mysticism & Zen

Under the name Ordo Nigredo (formerly Insopor Zen Academy, founded in 2014), a Christian order exists in the tradition of the Catholic Church within the meaning of Articles 60 et seq. of the Swiss Civil Code (ZGB).

Headquarters of the association: c/o Nigredo Monastery, Ussbergstrasse 26, 8864 Reichenburg.
- The association is politically independent.

Purpose

1. Cultivation and promotion of Christian mysticism as an experience of God combined with Zen practice.
2. Establishment and leadership of a religious life based on fundamental Catholic values.
3. Strengthening marriage and family, as well as promoting healthy femininity and masculinity in the Christian sense – with the goal of creating healthy families in which men and women mature into responsible fathers and mothers, thereby preventing discord in the church, society, and family.
4. Spiritual guidance, pastoral care, training, retreats, seminars, and religious events.
5. Support and operation of the Nigredo Monastery.
6. Public relations and programs for individuals interested in the spiritual path.
7. Provision of accommodation and meals for members of the order at the Nigredo Monastery free of charge, as long as this serves the religious life.
8. Financial and emotional support for families in crisis situations, especially in cases of divorce and matrimonial protection proceedings, with the goal of strengthening fathers and men in their role as heads of the family and protecting children.
9. Offering shelter, accommodation, pastoral care, and practical assistance for men and children in need.
10. Support for single fathers in their task of raising children and maintaining a family.

Membership
- Catholic Male members only.
- Completion of the novitiate at Nigredo Monastery.
- Ordination by Zen Father Marcel Reding.
- The board decides on new members based on ordination.
- Resignation is possible at any time.
- Expulsion for violations of the association's or Catholic values.

Monastic Rules

With the ordination to the monk candidate must answer these 120 questions honestly and openly.

Regula Nigredi

Regula Nigredi: The path of the Ordo Nigredo leads through the darkness of matter to clarity of spirit. Those who enter leave the turmoil of the world and seek inner peace through order, work, and contemplation. Man is a trinity: spirit, soul, and body – the work consists in purifying, uniting, and harmonizing them. Therefore, those who enter the Ordo Nigredo commit themselves to constancy, discipline, piety, chastity, and inner transformation. In recognizing their own opposites – male and female, light and shadow – the person matures into wholeness.

The Brotherhood of Nigredo Monastery

The Brotherhood of Nigredo Monastery is a spiritual union of men, fathers, and sons, who walk the path of purification, responsibility, love, and fidelity. They are dedicated to the service of truth, protection, and the restoration of divine order in family, work, and society. Their goal is not domination, but service—the return of men to their royal, loving, and priestly vocation. In the fight against weakness, cowardice, and moral confusion, they practice discipline, humility, courage, and active charity. The Brotherhood carries the fire of goodness—to restore the sacred balance between man and woman through sacrifice, courage, and love.

The Sisterhood of Nigredo Monastery

The Sisterhood of Nigredo Monastery is the female branch of the order, founded on the power of love—divine love. It consists of women who walk the path of purification, devotion, and inner transformation. Their task is to unite heart and mind, bring healing to the world, and offer spiritual comfort to men and children alike. In silence, prayer, and service, they guard the Holy Grail of Love. Their goal is not power, but the restoration of divine order through beauty, goodness, and mercy.

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