Monks are known as the ” monks,” but they do so much more than just wear a white robe. They have long hours of meditation during which they can be surrounded by love and beauty in the world around them. The history of monk prayer is as old as many of the monasteries that exist today. Early Christians revered these religious figures as teachers of wisdom and the way to salvation. Today, the history of meditation and the role of the monk in it is often romanticized.
When we think of monks, we typically think of them sitting in a corner of a crowded church listening to a sermon. Or maybe we envision a man sitting alone in a corner while he silently meditates until the world fades away. While the latter may be an accurate description, the early history of monk prayer is not always like this. Monks often spent their days helping others through services. These services were often impromptu and occurred when the need arose. During this time, the word monk became synonymous with care and compassion for the world around them.
During early Christianity, a monk was considered to be someone who had extreme personal responsibility for others. They did not simply teach spirituality; they were also very active in the community and lived by the teachings of the Bible. They had to bring services and prayers to homes and villages, just as everyone else, but in a much more spiritual way.
A monk’s life was extremely busy and exhausting. They had to bring their entire being into every situation and have complete concentration and focus on the tasks at hand. They would rarely speak and most of the time sat in silence. They would often experience dreams, nightmares and deep spiritual awakenings that would greatly affect their actions in the future.
The monastic life is one of the most beautiful and challenging that man can live. There is a lot of work, a lot of dedication and a lot of daily rituals. A monk is in charge of his own time and can make choices about when he works or relaxes. They are usually very disciplined people who do not let the things that bother them hold them back from living their lives fully. When it comes to prayer, the monk will literally get out of the way and allow God to lead him where he needs to go. This type of devotion is rare in modern society.
Although there are some isolated places in the world, such as Tibet and Nepal, where the monastic life is still very real, most of them are located in major cities. Most cities have a large concentration of monks already. Cities such as Washington, DC, Los Angeles and Chicago have large concentrations of Buddhist monasteries as well as Catholic ones. It is said that St. Ignatius Loyola’s monastery on the west coast of America has the most monkish concentration anywhere in the world.
Monks are dedicated to the pursuit of truth. They will sit for hours together, meditating and discussing what they have learned during their meditation. The discussions may range from world history to biblical passages. The main focus of these talks is how to live their lives so that they may benefit others. If you are a spiritual person, you will likely enjoy this type of focused discussion.
Many people feel a strong connection with someone who is a monk. The spiritual element of being a monk is one that cannot be ignored. As someone who practices the Buddhist path of meditation, you may find that you have similar feelings towards your own meditation. Whether you choose to be a monk yourself or join an organization that makes monks available to everyone, the religious aspect of meditation is always going to be present.
