12-08-2012, 08:58 AM
In the event that someone was willing to join a monastery to begin taking their growth seriously, where would one go? Could I get some recommendations of places to go?
(12-08-2012, 08:58 AM)MattSaldana Wrote: [ -> ]In the event that someone was willing to join a monastery to begin taking their growth seriously, where would one go? Could I get some recommendations of places to go?My feeling is that the decision to join a monastery would be due to a strong calling for that type of structured life in particular. It typically does not have anything to do, whatsoever, with taking growth seriously.
(12-08-2012, 01:15 PM)plenum Wrote: [ -> ]how old are you?
when I was around 19-21 I felt the strongest urge to move to Thailand and become a buddhist monk for life. Never followed through on it, of course.
the alternative to the allure of the monastic life is finding ways to create more free time in your ordinary life. For eg, if you are able, to drop down to 4 or 3 days of paid work if you are able to survive on that reduced income.
the extra time that opens up for use in meditation or reflection or reading or contemplation is like the highest gold; and an asset that even the rich and wealthy are poor in.
(12-08-2012, 05:47 PM)Aureus Wrote: [ -> ]MattSaldana,
Do you spend time in meditation? Inside you lives a teacher too you know..
(12-08-2012, 05:52 PM)Horuseus Wrote: [ -> ]Does joining a 'Monastery' excite you? Or are you doing it because you believe it is the route to attaining a higher level of awareness? In the case of the later, you may unknowingly restrict the ways in which direction can come to you.
I would first and foremost advise that the greatest guidance comes the Self, within. You also have your Higher Self and a multitude of Source & Spirit guides which you have empoyed prior to incarnation. Use them! They are literally begging for you to ask them.
If you haven't already done so I would focus on attaining an awareness, and then a connection with your (H)Self/Guides. Meditate, placing your thought in the Matrix and listen. Your greatest teacher is yourself.
(12-08-2012, 02:40 PM)Spaced Wrote: [ -> ]When I was first out of school and had all kinds of weird philosophical ideas that made it hard for me to integrate into the capitalist workforce so me mum would always say that I should join a monastery. What she doesn't realize is that I am pretty sure already spent my last lifetime in a monastery . I think my job in this life is to take the serenity I learned there and translate it into a typical western life. Not super easy, to be sure.
Sorry, that didn't even address your question OP, I'm just all about talking about myself today hehe
(12-08-2012, 06:31 PM)MattSaldana Wrote: [ -> ]Joining a monastery does not particularly excite me. The idea of having someone who sees things in me that I am missing and can help point them out to me, is what one might say "excites" me.
(12-08-2012, 06:31 PM)MattSaldana Wrote: [ -> ](12-08-2012, 02:40 PM)Spaced Wrote: [ -> ]When I was first out of school and had all kinds of weird philosophical ideas that made it hard for me to integrate into the capitalist workforce so me mum would always say that I should join a monastery. What she doesn't realize is that I am pretty sure already spent my last lifetime in a monastery . I think my job in this life is to take the serenity I learned there and translate it into a typical western life. Not super easy, to be sure.
Sorry, that didn't even address your question OP, I'm just all about talking about myself today hehe
May I ask what makes you pretty sure you were in a monastery in a past life?
(12-08-2012, 10:31 AM)zenmaster Wrote: [ -> ](12-08-2012, 08:58 AM)MattSaldana Wrote: [ -> ]In the event that someone was willing to join a monastery to begin taking their growth seriously, where would one go? Could I get some recommendations of places to go?My feeling is that the decision to join a monastery would be due to a strong calling for that type of structured life in particular. It typically does not have anything to do, whatsoever, with taking growth seriously.
(12-08-2012, 06:36 PM)Spaced Wrote: [ -> ](12-08-2012, 06:31 PM)MattSaldana Wrote: [ -> ]Joining a monastery does not particularly excite me. The idea of having someone who sees things in me that I am missing and can help point them out to me, is what one might say "excites" me.
Hi Matt, I would like to say that you can find this sort of teacher in everyone you meet. Every other self you meet provides you with a reflection of an aspect of yourself. Seek to understand the dynamics of the relationships you have with others and the way people react to you and you will have your teacher.
(12-08-2012, 06:31 PM)MattSaldana Wrote: [ -> ](12-08-2012, 02:40 PM)Spaced Wrote: [ -> ]When I was first out of school and had all kinds of weird philosophical ideas that made it hard for me to integrate into the capitalist workforce so me mum would always say that I should join a monastery. What she doesn't realize is that I am pretty sure already spent my last lifetime in a monastery . I think my job in this life is to take the serenity I learned there and translate it into a typical western life. Not super easy, to be sure.
Sorry, that didn't even address your question OP, I'm just all about talking about myself today hehe
May I ask what makes you pretty sure you were in a monastery in a past life?
When I was young my father took me to see a psychic who told me that they saw me in a previous life climbing a Himalayan slope in Buddhist robes and that image has resonated with me.
(12-08-2012, 06:27 PM)Horuseus Wrote: [ -> ]One profound advice from my own Guides was that "Spirituality isn't a chore". I still have problems with belief in that I will try to 'make things' happen rather than letting them.
Often when I 'surrender', or 'let go' and simply let them take in charge of my Reality Construction new direction comes to light.
(12-08-2012, 08:02 PM)Eddie Wrote: [ -> ]The Abbey of Gethsemani (Cistercian, I think), near Bardstown, Kentucky, is an excellent place for weekend retreats. Lay people are welcome, and it is a popular place for those wishing to explore monasticism to try it out for a while. Thomas Merton got his start at Gethsemani.
I've been wanting to go there myself for some time, just to enjoy the quiet. Even in my own home I have trouble meditating without being disturbed.
(12-08-2012, 08:58 AM)MattSaldana Wrote: [ -> ]In the event that someone was willing to join a monastery to begin taking their growth seriously, where would one go? Could I get some recommendations of places to go?
(12-08-2012, 01:15 PM)plenum Wrote: [ -> ]how old are you?
when I was around 19-21 I felt the strongest urge to move to Thailand and become a buddhist monk for life. Never followed through on it, of course.
the alternative to the allure of the monastic life is finding ways to create more free time in your ordinary life. For eg, if you are able, to drop down to 4 or 3 days of paid work if you are able to survive on that reduced income.
the extra time that opens up for use in meditation or reflection or reading or contemplation is like the highest gold; and an asset that even the rich and wealthy are poor in.
(12-08-2012, 08:21 PM)Aureus Wrote: [ -> ]If it is true, that your inside lead you here, searching for a teacher.. I must ask, what is your idea of enlightenment?
(12-10-2012, 10:41 AM)mihai Wrote: [ -> ](12-08-2012, 08:58 AM)MattSaldana Wrote: [ -> ]In the event that someone was willing to join a monastery to begin taking their growth seriously, where would one go? Could I get some recommendations of places to go?
Hi Matt,
I spent some 10 months or so at Buddhist Monasteries in UK (Cittaviveka/Amaravati) which are from the Forest Tradition of Ajahn Chah and Ajahn Sumedo (as visitor as well as novice/anagarika) - impressive meditation teachers. I recommend those places for anyone truly interested in serious meditation practice. Also there is the option of going straight to Thailand at Wat Pah Nanachat or Wat Pah Pong. And there is one monastery in US, it's called Abhayagiri.
The environment is very good designed for meditation practice; for me, from all Buddhist traditions, Theravada or Zen seem to be the one most diluted of any cultural content and left with the basis of mental/meditative practice. Of course, there are some limitations in usual life due to joining a traditional religion in form of restraints (sexual, verbal, conduit), but they can be integrated as part of the practice. It is good to be informed on all aspects before making any step in this direction - ask, if necessary.
The branch monasteries from western europe (Amaravati/Cittaviveka) were established some more than 30 years ago by Ajahn Sumedho , a monk that from perspectives of many, is a 'realized' being.
If you have any questions, let me know, I have some experience in this field.
(12-08-2012, 01:15 PM)plenum Wrote: [ -> ]how old are you?
when I was around 19-21 I felt the strongest urge to move to Thailand and become a buddhist monk for life. Never followed through on it, of course.
the alternative to the allure of the monastic life is finding ways to create more free time in your ordinary life. For eg, if you are able, to drop down to 4 or 3 days of paid work if you are able to survive on that reduced income.
the extra time that opens up for use in meditation or reflection or reading or contemplation is like the highest gold; and an asset that even the rich and wealthy are poor in.
I agree with this: I moved from monastery and am developing life in such a way as to balance 'material life' - getting an income, family, relations, etc- with moving towards more inner practice, i.e. meditation, contemplation, open awareness. I really expect to experience (some) enlightenment this lifetime (a modesty joke, of course )
(12-08-2012, 05:40 PM)MattSaldana Wrote: [ -> ](12-08-2012, 01:15 PM)plenum Wrote: [ -> ]how old are you?
when I was around 19-21 I felt the strongest urge to move to Thailand and become a buddhist monk for life. Never followed through on it, of course.
the alternative to the allure of the monastic life is finding ways to create more free time in your ordinary life. For eg, if you are able, to drop down to 4 or 3 days of paid work if you are able to survive on that reduced income.
the extra time that opens up for use in meditation or reflection or reading or contemplation is like the highest gold; and an asset that even the rich and wealthy are poor in.
I'm 26. A couple months ago, I retired from work, sold everything, and moved to Costa Rica, to spend more time working on myself. It has helped me grow in leaps and bounds. However, I still feel that I would be better off in a monastic situation. I'm really looking for someone, a teacher, who can see me better than I can see myself, to help guide me in the right direction. Although, I feel I'm doing great on my own, I also feel that me telling myself that I'm doing fine on my own, is just my ego telling me that it's trying to stay around that much longer. I'm ready to commit fully, I don't really see a greater purpose to spend my time on.
(12-10-2012, 01:09 PM)Tenet Nosce Wrote: [ -> ](12-08-2012, 05:40 PM)MattSaldana Wrote: [ -> ](12-08-2012, 01:15 PM)plenum Wrote: [ -> ]how old are you?
when I was around 19-21 I felt the strongest urge to move to Thailand and become a buddhist monk for life. Never followed through on it, of course.
the alternative to the allure of the monastic life is finding ways to create more free time in your ordinary life. For eg, if you are able, to drop down to 4 or 3 days of paid work if you are able to survive on that reduced income.
the extra time that opens up for use in meditation or reflection or reading or contemplation is like the highest gold; and an asset that even the rich and wealthy are poor in.
I'm 26. A couple months ago, I retired from work, sold everything, and moved to Costa Rica, to spend more time working on myself. It has helped me grow in leaps and bounds. However, I still feel that I would be better off in a monastic situation. I'm really looking for someone, a teacher, who can see me better than I can see myself, to help guide me in the right direction. Although, I feel I'm doing great on my own, I also feel that me telling myself that I'm doing fine on my own, is just my ego telling me that it's trying to stay around that much longer. I'm ready to commit fully, I don't really see a greater purpose to spend my time on.
Hi Matt!
Of course- only you know what is best for you. But if you are only two months into your new life, maybe it would be good to give it a little while more. Otherwise, you might end up joining a monastery and then changing your mind in two months again!
A question- Are you seeking more solitude? Or more social interaction? Or neither?
(12-08-2012, 05:40 PM)MattSaldana Wrote: [ -> ]I'm really looking for someone, a teacher...
(12-11-2012, 08:47 AM)MattSaldana Wrote: [ -> ]I would say neither. I get plenty of social interaction, which I really enjoy at times. At other times, I just feel like I'm wasting time. Solitude isn't really what I'm looking for either. Although more solitude might help, I don't think that is the answer either. My ideal situation would just be to work with someone who understood my path, had been down it themself, and could guide me in the right direction as well. As if I were struggling in math and wanted to get help from a tutor. This is why studying at a monastery seems like the right place for me right now.
(12-11-2012, 01:16 PM)Tenet Nosce Wrote: [ -> ](12-11-2012, 08:47 AM)MattSaldana Wrote: [ -> ]I would say neither. I get plenty of social interaction, which I really enjoy at times. At other times, I just feel like I'm wasting time. Solitude isn't really what I'm looking for either. Although more solitude might help, I don't think that is the answer either. My ideal situation would just be to work with someone who understood my path, had been down it themself, and could guide me in the right direction as well. As if I were struggling in math and wanted to get help from a tutor. This is why studying at a monastery seems like the right place for me right now.
Ah, I see. Well I'm pretty sure that the vast majority of Ticos are Catholics so you might be able to find a Catholic monastery..? On the other hand there are tons of American expats down there so I'm sure you could find somebody with a more spiritual bent who has been down there for a while.