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This post was most illuminating. This man’s website is amazing, I found it incredibly insightful and the depth of it was most helpful for my situation. I found myself thinking, “This is exactly what I’ve been looking for!”, loved it!
My question is to Vajragoni, what are your opinions on the direct impact on solitary renunciate life, with regards to living as lets say, someone in academia still studying, etc. But maintaining a high degree of concentration and discipline when it comes to wandering, delusional thought-streams, finding them unable to disturb said focus. This type of life style versus a more solitary life style, in the sense of living off of the environment around, not needing to worry about money and things of that nature.
If the practice is genuine and sincere, with effort being expended to maintain a constant mindset of awakening even amongst the affairs of the modern world, will it still be affected to the point that the later, solitary life style, is truly a major difference? Or is it that some find living away from a bundle of distractions simple more conducive and would rather not have those distractions present, regardless of their threat level (that is to say, regardless if they would remain undivided in their focus, no matter the distraction)?
Thanks again, as always.
The less distractions the better. This is why I’m a strong advocate for the eremetic-monastic lifestyle. If I had my druthers I would prefer to live in a monastic-environment with fellow monastics–each having their own separate cell but gathering together occasionally for Buddhist liturgical settings. My ideal scenario would be to work in union with other ascetics making it possible (in some economic fashion) to build a monastery, let us say, on the island of Crete. For me the current situation these days in the US makes such a scenario next to impossible–far better to live in a more isolated setting in order to best experience the richness of Contemplation away from such harsh conditions.
Thanks, for such a quick response!
I understand where you are coming from and what you are getting at, I suppose that once i have my affairs settled in terms of debt and am able to do this no longer under the binding of any institution. As it stands now however, I found myself interested in the contemplative life once the debt had already begun (University), with the way the world works; it seems no real choice but to keep moving forward so that I can reach a point where these afflictions no longer apply to my day to day life. I have learned to live with many distractions, retreating inwardly while maintaining a responsible awareness of what happens around. It is unfortunate though, because frankly every minute of every day, this insatiable desire to go deeper into contemplation continues to possess me. I take as much opportunity as I can, incorporating Mindfulness in day to day living and Concentration when solitude is an option. Nevertheless, thank you so much for your response. It will have an effect on my lifestyle in the years to come.
Regards,
“It doesn’t come cheap—indeed, the whole world must be sacrificed for it. World-denying renunciation and otherworldliness are necessary, though not alone sufficient, conditions for any genuine spiritual experience, and such experience results always all the more in renunciation, unconcern for this world, and otherworldliness. It is not attained quickly, easily, or by many.”
There are no contradictions, only mindsets incapable of encompassing the whole. Does the fish deny the water it lives in? Does it seek to escape its environment? Where would it go? An early morning drive down an empty highway alone, after six fresh inches of snow with that special quietness of that type of morning and I see an oak, that saw sunlight before white men knew this world, alone in the middle of a field stark perfect black against the white…forever. I didn’t have to go anywhere, there was nothing to sacrifice, or judge…simply abide and appreciate… I have to go nowhere in particular to attain anything. It is there before me. That memory floats through my consciousness wandering here and there, never grasped.
But my path is not yours and the paths are myriad and rich with potential, tantalizing in the many directions that can be taken at any time, to anywhere. The destination the same.
And the wind blows, I dance across the field, a dandy lion in the making…