What if today you decide to make a visit to your local monastery, because you're one of those types of people who have that much time on your hands? For you, the "local" monastery is about a 16 hour flight, so make sure you bring some reading material.
When you arrive at the monastery, you will be filled with wonder and awe at the sheer calmness, the utter focus and concentration, as well as the happiness of these ascetics. All except that one guy.
One of the oldest monks approaches you and speaks with you. You can tell he's older because he has an eye-patch. You ask him if he's a pirate.
''Like I haven't Heard that one before,'' He says.
He explains the monks way of life to you, how they have taken a vow of mostly silence. How they've learned to live without excess, and learned to let go of the things in life that bog them down. Finally, he explains that this life has brought many of them a great inner calmness.
Then, you will see that other monk doing cartwheels over there, jumping up and down like he just won the lottery.
''Oh yes, and then we have Lenny. Don't worry about him. He's always like that. He's kind of new.''
Lenny will run around in circles screaming at the top of his lungs:
''OH YEAH! I LOVE BEING A MONK! DID YOU HEAR ME GUYS? I SAID I LOVE BEING A MONK!''
The elder will sigh, and give himself a facepalm.
"Lenny...he still has a lot to learn..."
The elder always carries a small clay bottle with him wherever he goes. You wonder if it's filled with whiskey. If it is, you don't really blame him.
Now you know.
No comments:
Post a Comment