Does anyone ever want to just live a more monastic life?

I got to thinking about this today when I thought about something...I feel like I've lost my sense of good will and desire to do good.

I mean, I still find myself being good to people and doing good things, but more out of habit, but it's been awhile since I've used doing good things and finding a group of people to share my mission in life as my focus.

Lately my motives have all been for self-gain, which I don't think is wrong. But most of my motives have also been a desire of vengeance or, "getting even" with a world that I see as irredeemably corrupt and ruined, in which I have no place in. And worse yet, I seem to have normalized this mentality in my head, verses when I used to want to just save lives and make the world a better place, back when I was a teen.



But I thought to myself today, "What if I decided to live a more, Christian and monastic or, 'monk-like' life? What would that look like?"

And I decided that it would kind of look like this:

- I wouldn't obsess over materialistic belongings nearly as much.
- I would probably refrain from the things I normally consume, like memes, YouTube videos, social media drama, and the like. Life would be, in some ways, less interesting, but MY life wouldn't be any less exciting. And it's almost like I crave having a break from all the media and temptations and anger and hatred.
- I would stop watching pornography, maybe cold-turkey, if I truly believed in God with all my heart.

- Life would maybe be easier and simpler on me. Anything that I think Christ wouldn't approve of, I would simply not do. And things that I think he WOULD approve of, I would do. So, I wouldn't have cussed out my employer. So that, even if I felt betrayed by them, if I had to use them as a reference, they at LEAST couldn't say anything really bad about me without it being a lie or not holding much weight, unlike now.

- I would be happy for others more often, and less stressed out because I wouldn't be approaching life as if it is me Vs. the world. I would trust it in God's hands.

- This girl that I met, who is a believer, that I liked, if I was doing everything that I knew I must do that God would approve of, I would absolutely trust that I could be right for her, unlike now, while I'm struggling with joblessness, bitterness, and porn addiction.

- Even if everything in my life was going wrong, if I was trying my hardest to do everything right, I could believe that at least maybe, hopefully, most of what's going wrong isn't my own foolish doing, and trust in God that things will get better, and that He will help me through it.


But I'll stop there. I don't know why I got so religious for a moment, but I guess what I am trying to say is, if I ever decided to become a true, hard-believing Christian, I could see it working out well for me. And the only thing that stops me is skepticism in the Christian faith, and my fear of what I might have to sacrifice about myself to follow it, in accordance to someone else's standards.

But for some reason, I just like the idea of seeing myself wearing some robe, tending to farm land, praying in a church or on a mountain top, and being a part of a calm, well put together community, with a wife and kids. It seems oddly soothing.

Much more soothing than say, seeing myself running around some big city, making sneaky deals with men in suits with all of us thinking we can con the other guy, slandering competitors on Twitter and YouTube, getting into bar fights, and putting on ridiculous displays to try and get some woman to sleep with me, and obsessing over combating some government or some rival.

Honestly, I don't even know where these thoughts come from. I need a reality check. But some part of me believes that's who I have to be first, before I can become the guy, with a farm, and a community, and a family. But do I really have to be the other guy first before I can be that guy?

 

First, I must say I really do enjoy your topics. They are quality dude

Second, I think being a monk, of any faith would be hard but you may enjoy it. Remember though, the grass is never greener on the other side, it's just a different shade of green.

I'd love being a monk, mostly because I love Routines. I could deal, The Christian Life is a hard act to follow. I always bounce around from either hardcore believer, or an adherent of philosophical Taoism. Oh Lordy, I love reading the TaoTe Ching

When Jesus said he was "The way, the truth and the life" I always imagine The Tao. (Because it's commonly known as "The Way") so I don't feel guilty for reading it, and believing Jesus is The Tao

Anyways, I dunno? Desire is the death of Growth because you focus on you instead of everyone else. Improving the situation, Jesus said to give up everything and follow him. His words truly are divine

Denying yourself to follow Christ is hard like I said, but can be done.

I've personally cooled off with my walk with God for the time being. I have to get over my own self afflicted wounds I've caused myself. I will be back though trying my best to pick up my cross and follow the Lord however

Hope you find what you're looking for

 

You know, I really do like your replies to my threads and others. I apologize if I can't ever think of much to say in response, but I do enjoy reading it. My mind is just always all over the place lately.

Almost unrelated to this topic, one thing I've noticed that seems to snap my mind together, two actually, is meditation and self-exertion.

Meditation works most of the time when I am willing to do it, but sometimes I find it difficult to get myself to just sit down and do it when it's not what I want to do.

Self-exertion, however, always feels amazing, even when it leaves me winded. Whether it be an intense calisthenics workout or lifting a lot of weights or running full-power for three laps, it's like it brings my whole body together into one unit. My mind is hyperfocused on what I want in life and taking the small steps necessary to get them, and my physical and emotional pain is somewhat alleviated for the time being.

Only problem with running is, it brutalizes my knees and ankles, and gives me shin splints. That's why I bought a bicycle.

 

Oh thank you. There is no trying to my method, I assure you. Just let my fingers do the talking,



In all reality I've felt like I've lived 10 lives already. I don't really have any complaints it's that I am resilient and patient, with almost everything. Which can be taxing on ones Soul.

Neglecting yourself, is torture almost since we are such sensetional (I'm almost certain I've spelled that wrong) hah beings. But if even The Son of God denied himself, how much more should we? It sucks, my only complaint

What can I say? I like feeling good. lol

 

I’ve always been fascinated with monasticism in Christendom. A call to monasticism is considered a vocation according to Catholic and Orthodox beliefs. Some tenants of monasticism though are said to be beneficial for those called to a vocation in the single and married life as well.

Every monastic community has what is called a “Rule”. This is basically a set time for prayer, work, mediation, contemplation, spiritual reading, meals, and recreation. The first step then to incorporate a monastic component to your life would be to create your “Rule”. The idea that a monastic way of living can help is true, however, it does not mean it is automatic. What most people do not understand about the monastic life is that those who live this life do not have it easy. There is a constant temptation that one is “wasting” their life and many monastics can attest that this noonday devil can push a person to the brink of atheism before they break through what St. John of the Cross wrote is the Dark Night of the senses and then the soul. The purpose of the rule in the monastic community is to conform your will to the will of your abbot. This surrender of your will is to help you surrender and conform to the will of God. This might sound easy but it’s not. It’s also not easy when you make your own rule sense we tend to make excuses to not follow through with even our own goals and desires.

In short part of what you think your life would look like is rooted in half truth and fantasy. The stars won’t align simply because you added a monastic component. The type of peace and happiness you’re describing is considered a gift a gods grace and monasticism is considered a means to opening oneself to being able to receive said graces.

 

It does not matter whether you live in monastery or in this world. You'll just carry your habits where ever you go. Just work on yourself man. I have tried both (not really). I tried to live all alone by myself. But it feels like I am running away from my responsibilities. Then I tried the other one. I tried to live with mass, to blend with them. Then I forgot myself. I lost my individuality. I have just become a robot. Everything in my life becomes just like a routine. I wear this mask during this kind of situation, I wear the other when it is needed. It is suffocating. I think finding balance is the key. Be aware of your actions. That may be the only way. I am still coping with this thing and that's what keeps me going. Doing good things or so-called the right thing has not helped me. It just makes me feel like I am lost in the jungle. Going through the roots of your problems, that maybe the answer.

 

How fascinating, I always did worry about the idea of living in a village. It'd seem like it wouldn't allow for much dating options, and if you're a black sheep, it's probably extremely lonely. Still, being able to walk through a forest sounds better than having to drive for half an hour to find some trees to walk between that isn't on private property.