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So, it seems that everyone that reads this (all two of you) have NO thoughts whatsoever on the previous posts? Alright, here is one more, if you don't comment, I shall assume that we are not going to comment on anything ever again and I will simply just rant about whatever comes to mind.
BS
BS
posted by blarney stoned at 14:58
1 Comments:
An interactive blog, eh? Boy you're demanding!;) It was an interesting article, and I haven't fully comprehended it yet, but here are my initial thoughts.
In general, I think the monastic life is romanticized AND even if it is not romanticized, I think it is idealized by those of us who do not live it, including the author of this article. It is not an easy life, as the author pointed out, but at the same time, I don't think it is the "best" life that he/she frames it to be.
The west is heir to alot of philosophy over the ages, not the least of which is Plato. (You may think this is unrelated but bear with me). One of Plato's main teachings was that the things of the mind were far superior to the needs and wants of the flesh. In early Christianity, this same philosophy was prevalent...that there was this dichotomy between the flesh and the mind. These people were called the Gnostics, and the disciple John railed against them with all he had.
With this being said: I think that Gnostiism still lives today in the overly glamorized, idealized view that Christians take of the life of solitude that a nun or a monk chooses to live. I don't think that it is any more pious a state than if one chooses to participate in a job, a family, and other responsibilities that come with that. Pitting the mind and the body against each other can be rewarding to some, but it is not a view that brings alot of healthy attitudes.
However, that is not to say that taking time out for solitude and contemplation is bad. In fact, I think it is necessary in this crazy life we lead in this 21st century. Whether that solitude be an hour, a couple days, or a week, we all need a break. This is so apparent in the craziness of 20-hour days and cell phones, etc. To me, the reminder to stop and breathe is the real message of any article like this.
Back at you, BS...thoughts?\
Love,
Kiwi
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