Things have continued to be hectic in this end, we had our first festival of the year and started the summer gardening. Anybody who has lived on a fam knows how time consuming that is.
Anyway, I wanted to continue my thoughts on monasticism in the modern world.
Another important aspect of monasteries in my opinion is the power of example. I know from my own experience that it was very important for me to know that there are people who have made huge sacrifices in order to live a value driven, less cruel and more natural life. I used to think that although I can’t do it, at least some crazies out there are doing it, and it gave me some comfort, because I knew it’s possible to live like that.
It’s amazing what kind of an impact one person can have on society, what kind of a long-lasting example and inspiration just one honest and good person can create. Again, that’s something that can never be measured in numbers and profits, but is inevitable at the same time.
I think for example that the fact that we are living off the grid here (meaning that we are not connected to the municipal water or electricity lines), grow a big part of our own food and are vegetarian, is a big statement and encourages others to go to the same direction.
A big part of the postmodern youth, at least to me, seems to be very valueless and uncaring about other than themselves. Many aspects of our western culture seem to be getting more and more vain and empty, and I think it’s invaluable to have little fortresses scattered here and there around the world that defy this direction of progress. Spiritual pursuit (of which virtue is a natural side product) is not “hip” right now because it’s not easily digestible and doesn’t always give the instant high we’ve been taught to desperately look after, but in my opinion this only increases the value of people or institutions that take the harder route and show practically that not only is it possible to live spiritually, but eventually it’s also very satisfying and makes sense in a global sense too.
Of course a big part of the reason why monasticism is confronted with so much suspicion and opposition is because of hypocrisy and double-standards coming from inside the monasteries. If the supposedly exemplary people are shown to be misusing their position and lifestyle, the disappointment and anger will be that much greater. But nonetheless, my opinion is that even an unsuccessful monastic life is glorious! A guy called Paul Tillich said exactly how I feel about it: “He who risks and fails can be forgiven. He who never risks and never fails is a failure in his whole being.”
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