identitySPECIALIST

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My Monk Identity

Published by

Lem Usita

on

monk/məNGk/

Noun:
A member of a religious community of men typically living under vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience.
I think I could be a monk – except for the fact that I have a wife.  Okay, so maybe I can’t be a full blown monk that lives in a monastery somewhere.  Maybe what I’m really wanting to say is that I think I can be monk-like.  Okay, so maybe it’s just the going off to the monastery part for a little while that I like.
It’s good to get away sometimes.  It’s good to go on a spiritual trip and be in a religious community.  I have been before.  I haven’t been in awhile.  I share this because I have been thinking about it.
A few weeks ago, I woke up in the morning and was immediately overwhelmed by all that I had to do today.  We live such busy lives.  I had not gotten out of bed and I was already overwhelmed.  This doesn’t happen often – thankfully.  I sleep well at night.  I have a pretty clear conscious.  But I thought about the respite that some time in a monastery could do for my soul.
It’s not that I want to get away from things.  Things will always be there.  It’s more that I need time to still my soul.  Yeah, that’s it.  So maybe I can’t do all the other monk stuff, but I definitely wish that I had soul solace like I imagine they might have.
How about you?  Could you be a monk?  How’s your soul?

3 responses to “My Monk Identity”

  1. PB Avatar
    PB

    I could totally a be a monk! Even though I’m a Protestant. It’s not too different from the Apostle Paul, unless you go the hermit-way and never talk to anybody. But as long as I’m single, I love the idea of celibacy, solitude, serving others, and the whole poverty-chastity-obedience bit.

    Reply
    1. Lem Usita Avatar
      Lem Usita

      I love it Paul. I try and find monk-ish practices that I can infuse into my married life.
      Tell me more about how you think celibacy and solitude makes your more……fill-in-the-blank. I’d love to hear your thoughts.

      Reply
      1. PB Avatar
        PB

        The thing about celibacy is that it leaves one less thing to worry about, can bring more flexibility for serving others and living a harder, simpler life. There’s a potentially huge extra allotment of time that can be used to mentor others, study and spend time in solitude with God, and volunteer services. Living as a single entity, solitude just comes easier, allowing thought and reflection. I’m speaking in generalities here! People can still have solitude while married, but it’s harder and they likely won’t get as much. But it does seem much harder to live simply and give away your money while married.

        I’m not really a celibate myself (yet). That has to do with a definite commitment or perhaps a vow, and I just so happen to be single by default. But I want to use this time in my life as an opportunity to take full advantage to do what celibates do. I’m shabby at it to be honest, but it’s something to shoot for. 😛

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