Have you ever considered becoming a monk or a nun?

[Sensei]

There are of course many different kinds of monks and nuns, but they all seek peace one way or another: Buddhist ones through meditation, Christian ones through faith, and so on. I know that it probably never will happen, but I've given becoming a Zen Buddhist monk serious consideration. I've dreamt of getting away from all the filth: the shallowness, the vulgarity, the animality, the stupidity, the egoism, the callousness, and the brutality. I've dreamt of setting out on a quest to reach insight about myself, mankind, existence, and the universe. In short, I've dreamt of living a pure, dignified, peaceful, and insightful life. I believe that it's the ultimate path to recovery in many ways. Has anyone considered something similar?

(By the way, if your spontaneous reaction is, "Fuck no! I want my beer and chicks!", maybe you should consider posting in another thread instead.)

 

[mahakaliSS_MahaDurga]

I was thinking about becoming a nun a very long time ago. I was into drugs and became very religious while I was getting clean. I am happy that I did not go through with it, though.

 

[Sensei]

I was thinking about becoming a nun a very long time ago. I was into drugs and became very religious while I was getting clean. I am happy that I did not go through with it, though.

May I ask why you're happy you didn't go through with it?

 

[Deleted member 23374]

I would like a life of study and my own prayer.
I always identified with the sisters.

They don't ever mention the money and the whiteness.

 

[mahakaliSS_MahaDurga]

May I ask why you're happy you didn't go through with it?

I do not think that would have been a happy life for me.

 

[Disappointered]

Yes. Mostly out of desperation though, not real attraction to a path or any kind of solid faith. I was involved with an organization for many years that is basically a cult but has moved in and out of cult status over the years. I also considered christianity but again, no solid faith.

 

[Sensei]

Yes. Mostly out of desperation though, not real attraction to a path or any kind of solid faith. I was involved with an organization for many years that is basically a cult but has moved in and out of cult status over the years. I also considered christianity but again, no solid faith.

I can empathize with your desperation. In my case it's not a matter of faith as, which you may already know, Zen Buddhism isn't a religion.

 

[Disappointered]

I also considered buddhism, as a path, but never as seriously. I never found any of it convincing and didn't have faith that I'd come to experience or realize anything that would lead to any changes.

 

[Sensei]

I also considered buddhism, as a path, but never as seriously. I never found any of it convincing and didn't have faith that I'd come to experience or realize anything that would lead to any changes.

This may sound strange, but I've never considered common Buddhism either. It's not a philosophy anymore, but rather a kind of religion. The only path that interests me is pure and non-mystical Zen Buddhism.

 

[antigone_iris]

I have considered going to a monastery, but I don't have the calling to do that and I don't think a life at a monastery would be for me. I wanted to become a nun because I couldn't stand the corrupt society anymore and because I felt lonely and that I couldn't fit in anywhere. I realized that my reasons for taking this path weren't solid enough and that I could find solutions to my problems that are more suitable for who I am and my current level of faith and spirituality.

 

[Disappointered]

"This may sound strange, but I've never considered common Buddhism either. It's not a philosophy anymore, but rather a kind of religion. The only path that interests me is pure and non-mystical Zen Buddhism. "

I've seen buddhism graduate from religion to philosophy over the years and I guess it works for a lot of people, not sure really. For me the teachings just didn't have much of an impact . I never specifically looked at zen beyond superficial readings and a couple of meditation sessions so maybe it's different but unfortunately neither theravada nor mahayana ended up working for me, either in theory or in practice.

Glad you found it helpful for you though. If you do end up becoming a zen monk I hope you'll post about it.

 

[Sensei]

I've seen buddhism graduate from religion to philosophy over the years and I guess it works for a lot of people, not sure really. For me the teachings just didn't have much of an impact on me. I never specifically looked at zen beyond superficial readings and a couple of meditation sessions so maybe it's different but unfortunately neither theravada nor mahayana ended up working for me, either in theory or in practice.

Well, I believe there's no philosophy or religion which suits everyone.

Glad you found it helpful for you though. If you do end up becoming a zen monk I hope you'll post about it.

You can bet on that. It's not likely to happen, though, because 1) I have obligations which I can't ignore and 2) Zen Buddhist monasteries tend to focus too much on rituals nowadays.

 

[Disappointered]

I have obligations which I can't ignore

may I ask what the obligations are, out of curiosity?

 

[Sensei]

may I ask what the obligations are, out of curiosity?

There are several, but the most important one is my old and frail parents.

 

[Deleted member 1465]

Is this the right time to say I always wanted to be a nun? (only kidding, they wouldn't have me).

I was schooled by monks and nuns. Weird. Whilst I certainly like the idea of a simpler life, divorcing yourself from the bad stuff in life doesn't make it go away. Maybe if everyone was a bit more contemplative.

Also, I'm unable to align myself to a faith. I'd have to fake it and that's not fair.

 

[Mr2005]

Thought yeah but that's the unfortunate thing about me. The actions never follow and the consequences have been devastating

 

[MichaelNomad123]

I strongly considered it for a time. I believe a life-long pursuit of most branches of Buddhism to be extremely beneficial. Similarly I would say living a cloistered Christian monastic life could also be very potent. I think most extreme practitioners are only capable of it because it is all they know. While this does devalue their experience somewhat, in my opinion, I don't think it's unheard of for someone to become a convert and commit. I think those circumstances are rare, but very potent when they do happen. This is besides the point, I guess.

I've often recommended meditation as a form of therapy to friends. Non-spiritual buddhism has a lot of practical benefits for the modern man. To me, it is the pinnacle of self-control and is something to be admired.

 

[Myforevercharlie]

I did consider to become a non when I was at my lowest. I wanted to be safe and protected. I was searching for peace of mind ( still am)

But the convent is not for me. I need people to much ( and I talk to much)

 

[VivaldiBR]

There are of course many different kinds of monks and nuns, but they all seek peace one way or another: Buddhist ones through meditation, Christian ones through faith, and so on. I know that it probably never will happen, but I've given becoming a Zen Buddhist monk serious consideration. I've dreamt of getting away from all the filth: the shallowness, the vulgarity, the animality, the stupidity, the egoism, the callousness, and the brutality. I've dreamt of setting out on a quest to reach insight about myself, mankind, existence, and the universe. In short, I've dreamt of living a pure, dignified, peaceful, and insightful life. I believe that it's the ultimate path to recovery in many ways. Has anyone considered something similar?

I consider something absolutely similar. I certanly wanna be a monk on zen buddhism, regardless if my life is going to get better or not. But sometimes i think too that it's my last escape. Let's try it together?

 

[Gerard de Nerval]

I used to glorify the saints in my youth. Reading their stories from writers like Flaubert, Anatole France, Boccaccio, and so on. Now that type of life seems impossible in this day of age, priests squabbling over particulars that lost meaning long ago.

 

[Silvermorning]

Yes a catholic one, the thing is I'm agnostic and they'll see right through me, liturgy would so awkward, but I love their way of life. Also, I doubt they want mentally unstable people in their midst and Iwouldn't want to be burden.

 

[Deleted member 1465]

I'd be in charge of the monastery brewery!

 

[stygal]

I actually thought about something similar for a long time...but not in any relation to religion. I just always dreamed about living of the grid and producing my own food. So I wouldn't have to come in contact with this very complicated and overwhelming society which filled me with nothing but emptiness so far. But after a while I'd miss some luxuries like central heating or water or most of all: the internet.

As far as being a nun goes: It's definitively a nice thought to devote your life to something you assign "higher" meaning to and to have an actual purpose. But I would feel like a pretender since I just can't get myself to believe in any god.

 

[PointlessStruggle]

I think I would honestly be a decent fit for it but thats basically just admitting my life as I know it is over and I'm not ready to do that tbh

 

[Deleted member 94]

Is this the right time to say I always wanted to be a nun? (only kidding, they wouldn't have me).

I was schooled by monks and nuns. Weird. Whilst I certainly like the idea of a simpler life, divorcing yourself from the bad stuff in life doesn't make it go away. Maybe if everyone was a bit more contemplative.

Also, I'm unable to align myself to a faith. I'd have to fake it and that's not fair.

This might be inappropriate but has been bothering me but aren't nuns and monks required to have marriage ceremony with Jesus.

 

[Sensei]

I was schooled by monks and nuns. Weird. Whilst I certainly like the idea of a simpler life, divorcing yourself from the bad stuff in life doesn't make it go away.

I sometimes wonder if escaping is the only way of coping for me.

 

[Deleted member 1465]

I sometimes wonder if escaping is the only way of coping for me.

I think we all do it to one degree or another. I'd suggest that to look the stark reality of nature in the face is to go insane with fear and anxiety. I think a certain amount of escapism is healthy.

 

[VivaldiBR]

I sometimes wonder if escaping is the only way of coping for me.

Me too.

 

[Deleted member 1465]

This might be inappropriate but has been bothering me but aren't nuns and monks required to have marriage ceremony with Jesus.

I don't know, though of course they are meant to be celibate and devoted to God.

Are nuns married to God or children of God?

Answer (1 of 13): From what I know, many nuns consider themselves married to God. I understand that this is Biblical, as God declares He is the husband of women with no husband or children that would have Him.

www.quora.com

I guess it depends how literally a Christian order may interpret The Bible.

 

[Deleted member 94]

I don't know, though of course they are meant to be celibate and devoted to God.

Are nuns married to God or children of God?

Answer (1 of 13): From what I know, many nuns consider themselves married to God. I understand that this is Biblical, as God declares He is the husband of women with no husband or children that would have Him.

www.quora.com

I guess it depends how literally a Christian order may interpret The Bible.

No I've seen wedding pictures of nuns being dressed up as brides and marrying jesus I asked once about monks and was told they too are married to jesus. More applicable to Catholicism I think.