A monastic life is one of intense study, reflection and proper dispensation after due digestion of what has been learned. On a daily basis we have lectures, open to all, discussing verses from the Srimad Bhagavatam and Bhagavad Gita which can last from ten minutes to five hours, depending on the speaker or audience. Today was a good discussion, lasting for two hours unfolding with eye opening questions and answers, sobering moments, and heated pure straight talk.
The Verse and Purport was Srimad Bhagavatam 1.1.10: "O learned one, in this iron age of Kali men have but short lives. They are quarrelsome, lazy, misguided, unlucky and, above all, always disturbed."
One of the questions asked by one of my students was why the process of self realization seem so foreign and difficult. The answer was simple but deep as we went through the verse and purport: because no one told us about it.
Self Realization involves an active decision to refrain the senses from their sense objects and engage oneself in higher duties for his, as well as the spiritual benefit of humanity at large. To become a competent teacher means becoming a good student- controlling the senses, learning culture, humility, tolerance, and many other virtues which develop over a course of time. But the fact is no one told any of us, especially westerners that this sort of deeper life is available to anyone and everyone. Not necessarily for all to become ascetics, but for all to have access to the reasoning behind a person's decision to leave secular society and dedicate himself to rigid principles.
These principles can be practiced by all, regardless of occupational work. For example, no one ever recommends celibacy with good educated reasoning behind it, or abstinence from intoxication, meat eating and gambling given with practical explanations. Growing up was such an interesting feat for me; I always knew that I wanted to pursue monastic life, but as grade 6 came along, a big ugly face stared at me. It was the face of peer pressure: you just couldn't remain a virgin past 6 grade. And the reasoning- semen will spill out of every part of your body at any time and so now was the time to learn about sex life in order to prevent embarrassment when you a). coughed, b). sneezed, or c) cried. If you had too much semen after 6th grade, your body could let it out at anytime and any place thus exposing you to everyone as a virgin.
What a hellish experience it was for many young kids going into their teens; and then came 18, 19 or 21, if not earlier, when you then have to drink yourself silly in order to really be considered a normal person. Luckily I escaped that phase by the mercy of the devotees who accepted me into the monastery.
There I learned that Celibacy was good for you! The semen, or fountain of youth would be well preserved to give one stronger brain cells, sharper intuition and finer tissues in the body, especially with proper diet and hygiene. One monk told me once that God gave men two heads, with only enough blood to be used by one at any given time. So someone who was addicted to sex life only willingly spilled out his vital life while someone who preserved, or used his blood for his brains, actually experienced deeper pleasures from higher levels of consciousness. Abstinence also made makes one more potent when he does decide to father offspring who may not be so susceptible to disease due to weak immune systems.
And on went the conversation this morning...
We talked about the futility of gambling, whether in Vegas or at 7 Eleven, and how people are led like donkeys following carrots dangling from a stick tied over their heads- always going forward for that sweet carrot but never really taking a real bite of it. And whoever told you that meat eating was one of the causes behind loneliness, wars and other negative things going on in society? Yes. As the saying goes, you are what you eat. Animals live in fear of each other and therefore defend their dear lives by living in hiding in tall trees or deep holes and burrows. When we eat such creatures who die in fear, what should we expect- a world where every man is after the others well being? I'll let your mind go off on this topic for yourself, or email me and we can discuss.
The conclusion of class was this: greater love has no man than to use his life, intelligence, wealth, and whatever else he may have for the benefit of another. When we educate people out of love, they will sense that love and try to make life more pleasant around them. A monks' life is dedicated to this service for humanity at large- teaching and telling what no one else took the time to tell or teach.
The Verse and Purport was Srimad Bhagavatam 1.1.10: "O learned one, in this iron age of Kali men have but short lives. They are quarrelsome, lazy, misguided, unlucky and, above all, always disturbed."
One of the questions asked by one of my students was why the process of self realization seem so foreign and difficult. The answer was simple but deep as we went through the verse and purport: because no one told us about it.
Self Realization involves an active decision to refrain the senses from their sense objects and engage oneself in higher duties for his, as well as the spiritual benefit of humanity at large. To become a competent teacher means becoming a good student- controlling the senses, learning culture, humility, tolerance, and many other virtues which develop over a course of time. But the fact is no one told any of us, especially westerners that this sort of deeper life is available to anyone and everyone. Not necessarily for all to become ascetics, but for all to have access to the reasoning behind a person's decision to leave secular society and dedicate himself to rigid principles.
These principles can be practiced by all, regardless of occupational work. For example, no one ever recommends celibacy with good educated reasoning behind it, or abstinence from intoxication, meat eating and gambling given with practical explanations. Growing up was such an interesting feat for me; I always knew that I wanted to pursue monastic life, but as grade 6 came along, a big ugly face stared at me. It was the face of peer pressure: you just couldn't remain a virgin past 6 grade. And the reasoning- semen will spill out of every part of your body at any time and so now was the time to learn about sex life in order to prevent embarrassment when you a). coughed, b). sneezed, or c) cried. If you had too much semen after 6th grade, your body could let it out at anytime and any place thus exposing you to everyone as a virgin.
What a hellish experience it was for many young kids going into their teens; and then came 18, 19 or 21, if not earlier, when you then have to drink yourself silly in order to really be considered a normal person. Luckily I escaped that phase by the mercy of the devotees who accepted me into the monastery.
There I learned that Celibacy was good for you! The semen, or fountain of youth would be well preserved to give one stronger brain cells, sharper intuition and finer tissues in the body, especially with proper diet and hygiene. One monk told me once that God gave men two heads, with only enough blood to be used by one at any given time. So someone who was addicted to sex life only willingly spilled out his vital life while someone who preserved, or used his blood for his brains, actually experienced deeper pleasures from higher levels of consciousness. Abstinence also made makes one more potent when he does decide to father offspring who may not be so susceptible to disease due to weak immune systems.
And on went the conversation this morning...
We talked about the futility of gambling, whether in Vegas or at 7 Eleven, and how people are led like donkeys following carrots dangling from a stick tied over their heads- always going forward for that sweet carrot but never really taking a real bite of it. And whoever told you that meat eating was one of the causes behind loneliness, wars and other negative things going on in society? Yes. As the saying goes, you are what you eat. Animals live in fear of each other and therefore defend their dear lives by living in hiding in tall trees or deep holes and burrows. When we eat such creatures who die in fear, what should we expect- a world where every man is after the others well being? I'll let your mind go off on this topic for yourself, or email me and we can discuss.
The conclusion of class was this: greater love has no man than to use his life, intelligence, wealth, and whatever else he may have for the benefit of another. When we educate people out of love, they will sense that love and try to make life more pleasant around them. A monks' life is dedicated to this service for humanity at large- teaching and telling what no one else took the time to tell or teach.
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