Conversion to a monastic manner of life (or conversatio morum) is somewhat to difficult to interpret, as it does not refer to one particular aspect as it does to a way of living, a way of loving. (Poverty and chastity are part of this vow.)
As Benedictines, we strive to live a manner of life that has the Gospel as its guide as seen through the lens of the Holy Rule. What does this mean? We endeavor to see Christ in the superior, in our fellow community members, in the guest, and in the stranger. St. Benedict in his Rule, gave us a list of various "tools" to help guide us in this endeavor, as well as directives about silence, humility, how to pray The Divine Office, taking counsel, caring for each other, caring for the property of the monastery, care of the infirm, the young and the old, receiving guests, and much more.
In this vow we translate all this into our own life. It is a constant turning toward God. We, like everyone who lives on the face of the earth, always need to begin again. Hence, conversion is not something static but rather something dynamic that we need to say "yes" to daily. And yes, it requires a lot of death to self andself-will, and is a continual turning toward Christ to live in the fullness of His life.
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