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I
am a Monk |
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On
Being A Monk
Dr Herbert L Beierle
MY
JOURNEY through monasteries has not been by accident.
Everyone who comes to a monastery
does so with an ulterior motive, a desire to find themselves
and revcal themselves. I am no exception.
The exception with each of us who
arrive to monastery life is that we feel we are
special. We have chosen to walk "the"
path in a more dedicated manner than any of our peers even
those at the monastery. We have glimpsed something divine in
us, something remarkably special, and surely our mates have
not had such a glorious awakening, such a birthing - and yet
sincerely we believe each companion we encounter on our
journey through life is there because we created them there
to goad us on to our highest, inspire us to expand our view
of ourselves, reveal - by reflection - who we really are and
who we aspire to shine forth.
An aspect of manastery life is the
reduction of baggage.
Who are the really dedicated monks
on this path. It is so interesting looking about us with
no little judgment as we enter manastic life and
see our comrades who have nothing. No clothing. No devices
or gadgets such as an electric shaver. Quality tooth
brushes. Digital data bank watches. Personal books and
writing equipment. Quality tennis shoes. Levi's cut right.
Brandname under shorts. T-shirts of purest whit cotton.
Shirts of soft cotton. A monk's robe (when consistent)
tailored and of the finest fabric. A reading lamp with its
halogen bright light for reading and writing. Cosmetics of
soaps and emollient toiletries. My showers are unlimited and
perfect. Personal files. Adequate dictionary - thesaurus -
reference books. And on and on. Quite a comportment for a
monk dedicated to the freedom of simplicity. But amazingly
with such a robust list of amenities there would hardly need
be more, but there is!
At my work station I have the
finest, the latest computers to conduct my "labor"
on behalf of the manastery. I work in a perfectly climate
controlled office in body pleasure
furniture. I am given many hours for personal
meditation. My meals are served in the most harmonious
surroundings accompanied by good fellowship. The meals
themself are planned to respect the perfect diet for the
highest expression of the human body. The amount is
sufficient but should I desire treats they too are
available.
I listen to uplifting music. I see
the latest affirmative video. I pursue 100 books of classic
literature each during a 90 minute daily reperoire on
cassette tape. I am encouraged to write poetry, to write
articles, to write books,. I ahve a pundit, erudite as a
skilled mentor available to guide me in work syntax and
organization of my ideas while I alone choose the content.
I have fine late model cars to
drive. I go to town several times a month to dine in a
restaurant and shop for the monastery. I attend several
seminars annually to upgrade me on my computer or to promote
my expertise in my philosophical field. I communicate by
mail as often as I like with my family and friends. I may
make occasional telephone calls to my family to maintain our
relationship. I may take occasional pictures to send to
family or friends. The meditation paths surrounding the
monastery are many and lovely. Our solar heated swimming
pool is always filled with pure water, as is its large
Jacuzzi.
Added to this all my health needs
are carefully taken care of at no expense to me.
I live in paradise.
Yet I am irascible with my
situation. I think I should have more privileges and
pleasures. I should be able to eat what I want. I should be
able to go to town when I want. I should not be required to
"give my efficient best" at any task I am given. I
should be allowed to be unhappy with comonks I do not agree
with. I should be allowed to argue and rebel with the person
in charge. I should be allowed to pretend I am not at a
monastery, yet I do NOT want to leave the monastery. I want
to change the name of monastery and call it campus or
paradise. That not only fits my desires today, but changes
to fit my desires tomorrow, and fits "everyone's"
desires whatever they may be, but OF COURSE their desires
are a duplicate of my own.
Why did I UNINVITED come to the
monastery? Why did I sign all of the vows that I helped to
create and put down on paper? Why did I come to this point
in my life at all and have not yet died to be free of the
path?
Someone said: Blessed are they
who advance toward the spiritual path without the selfish
motive of seeking inner peace, for they shall find it.
Perhaps it is time for me to ask
myself whether my desires and things I deem so vital to my
happy life are but unnecessary possessions which are
unnecessary burdens.
My dedication to myself is to
walk my spiritual path. I define my spiritual path in two
ways: One-living as a divine human being seing all my
creation as good and very good. Two-to aspire to understand
my divine reality as expressed in the concept ABSOLUTE
untouched by the relative and live in the relative but not
of the relative. |
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Should I
ever complain again I have forgotten my direction-calling. |
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Should I
ever feel selfrighteous that thingsand circumstances are my
right to have I have forgotten my direction-calling. |
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Should I
ever feel others control my life I have forgotten my
direction-calling. |
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Should I
ever feel pride in my accomplishments I have forgotten my
direction-calling. |
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Should I
ever see sadness, sickness, poverty, unhappy relations I
have forgotten my direction-calling. |
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Should I
ever fear I have forgotten my direction-calling. |
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Should I
ever need I have forgotten my direction-calling. |
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Should I
ever react to my world I have forgotten my
direction-calling. |
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Should I
ever desire pity, reprive, compassion, grace, understanding,
humanity, forgiveness, I have forgotten my
direction-calling. |
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BUT I HAVE NOT FORGOTTEN, I KNOW WHO I AM AND I AM WHO I
AM AT ALL TIMES! |
"Definition of a monk"
"Rules
for the Absolute Monastery"
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