Living like a monk in the modern world...or at least trying to...

Illuminated script, with monks chanting artwork

Monks.  Is there something or anything of this somewhat unusual yet spiritual, counter-cultural lifestyle that we here in the modern world we can live and learn from?  Let's take a look...

[By the way, I use the word monk to mean both male and female.  The word "monk" comes from Greek μοναχός, (monachos) meaning solitary, or to live alone, and the term is gender neutral.]  

Yes, the life of a monk is an unusual lifestyle here in our active, modern day world. 

Instead of life in the world, some are drawn to living a life of simplicity, prayer, contemplation, spiritual growth, serving others.... as a solitary or living in community in a monastery.....

And as we know there are monks in different religions of the world; Buddhism, Hinduism, Christianity and so on.  And there are different types of monks. 

Orthodox monk praying

Lately I have been reading a lot on the spiritual practices of the Eastern Orthodox Churches.  It is quite rich in its depth.    I am finding much food for the soul.

Within Eastern Christianity, the inner life, quiet, stillness and prayer of the heart is emphasized.  The focus is on experiencing the Holy, or union with God.  

In many ways it is a spirituality of "be" rather than "do".

In Eastern Christianity there are three types of monks; an anchoritic monk,  meaning a solitary, a cenobitic, meaning living in community in a monastery under the spiritual leadership of an abbot or abbess, and the third type, a skete, a community of individuals who live alone but in close proximity to one another.   

But no matter what type of monk or what religion, prayer is central in the life of a monk.   And prayer all throughout the day.  Prayer in listening, chanting repetitive prayers with a prayer rope or beads, breath prayer, praying at designated times throughout the day and night, and so on.

But the big difference between the West and East in this is the emphasis of silence and listening for God rather than talking to God and asking or pleading for something.

The monasteries produce(d) many things to sell in order to pay their operational expenses and maintain self sufficiency.   Many monasteries provide(d) services to their local communities such as education and teaching, research, medical care, and so forth.  In fact, many modern day universities and colleges evolved from monasteries.

But unlike our modern, mainstream, money making, profit oriented world, monastic money making is/was only done in order to keep the monastery running.  The excess money earned is/was given to the poor and various charities. 

Young Buddhist Nuns praying

So, let's revisit that original question at the beginning of this post...

Is it possible to be a modern day monk?  Is there something or anything of this spiritually rich lifestyle that we,  in the modern, mainstream world we can live and learn from?  

What do YOU think?