http://harmonist.us/2009/05/668/ Thu, 17 May 2012 20:13:43 +0000 hourly 1 http://harmonist.us/2009/05/668/comment-page-1/#comment-17 Gaura-Vijaya Sun, 24 May 2009 12:50:08 +0000 http://harmonist.us/?p=668#comment-17 It is a great article and it gave me insights about the challenges which one faces in monastic life. I always introspect to find my readiness for going in that direction. I am taking only small steps in moving there, seeing the amount of selflessness required in monastic life. It is a great article and it gave me insights about the challenges which one faces in monastic life. I always introspect to find my readiness for going in that direction. I am taking only small steps in moving there, seeing the amount of selflessness required in monastic life.

]]> http://harmonist.us/2009/05/668/comment-page-1/#comment-6 Citta Hari Fri, 22 May 2009 04:03:32 +0000 http://harmonist.us/?p=668#comment-6 There are many good insights here that I am sure pertain to any monastic situation, regardless of tradition or lineage. Having lived in the ashram for 11 years I can attest to the contortions one's mind can go through, the identity crises, the environment reflecting back one's own petty desires and selfishness. Having left the monastic environment due to such desires I have first hand experience of how hard it is to walk away after having invested so much in an identity as a monastic. There is life after the ashram, no doubt, but the fact remains that the mind goes with us wherever we go. There is no escape, and it is ultimately only through grace that we have any hope of learning to see the whole world as an ashrama. I'm still working on that too. There are many good insights here that I am sure pertain to any monastic situation, regardless of tradition or lineage. Having lived in the ashram for 11 years I can attest to the contortions one’s mind can go through, the identity crises, the environment reflecting back one’s own petty desires and selfishness. Having left the monastic environment due to such desires I have first hand experience of how hard it is to walk away after having invested so much in an identity as a monastic. There is life after the ashram, no doubt, but the fact remains that the mind goes with us wherever we go. There is no escape, and it is ultimately only through grace that we have any hope of learning to see the whole world as an ashrama. I’m still working on that too.

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