Dear D
I recieved a very thoughful comment on one of my blog posts – Studying Christian Monasticism A Blue-Print! (4.5.2024) – hosted on the Buddhist-Marxism Alliance UK site from a young Mexican woman:
Yareni Wrote:
“Your exploration of Christian monasticism as a blueprint for spiritual and communal living is both insightful and thought-provoking. The parallels you draw offer a fresh perspective on how different traditions can inform and enrich one another. Your writing reflects deep contemplation and a genuine appreciation for the wisdom found in monastic practices. Thank you for sharing such a meaningful and well-researched reflection!”
My reply:
“Thank you for your kind, thoughtful, and compassionate words. Perhaps it is the kindness manifested through your words that binds humanity together – and grants the ability for the potential of transcendence. Opening the door is different from closing the door, so-to-speak. I find Christian monastics generally very different from Church Christians who prefer to fill their minds with a dogma they must defend (although many ordinary Christians are often very kind and selfless). The monastic, as you already know, must “empty” their minds and discipline their bodies (an intersection with Buddhist practice) – so that a vehicle might be cultivated that is capable of receiving the grace of god – a reality that may (or may not) manifest in this lifetime. Patience is the key – but more than this – it is eternal patience that must be cultivated. The suffering we experience – and the suffering we observe – must be endured because as human-beings, we possess no other option (the Buddhist refer to this as “karma” – whilst St Benedict states that god grants only the extent of suffering he knows we can endure). The poor know this directly (they have no choice) – whilst the rich can delay (or deflect) it for a time (using their wealth to purchase enhanced conditions) – but what joins us together is that oneday all life ceases. It ceases between the breaths – and whatever happens next – happens. I suppose, here we all are.”
Thanks
SANGHA KOMMUNE (SSR) 