If a person has gotten to a place in their life where they are truly content in themselves living a “monkish” , simple life , not requiring to be distracted from any internal pain or emptiness, I consider that a huge accomplishment.
I seem to live the same life. Concentrating on living above poverty, and trying to increase my income. I didn't worry or care if I had no money to party in the streets, by expensive items, or pay for the companionship of a woman. *I never thought my income would be the first good or bad trait about me.* So rampant that I never gave clue of what my income may be. Life itself was more important. I wish I could have shared it with a woman. I'm not sorry that I couldn't find one.
It's the difference between taking something nutritious and enjoying it or gorging on a dodgy burger or high sugar drink where you just want more. I suppose it's recognising something of quality, and there's probably a subtle distinction between pleasure and joy which is difficult to nail down.
Indeed… we must ensure that we’re not an empty vessel to be filled up with the cacophony of the world as it is now. If our cups are already full with our own understanding of right and wrong then it’s harder to fill us up with the BS machine.
Espec in US. Most ppl (of all ethnicities etc) born in the US who never lived anywhere else don't appreciate how much easier they have it than in other countries in 2021 and buy into all these artificial hype (until they've a something rough awakening how lucky they're being born in the most advanced nation in the world..) it's almost like ppl create artificial pseudo-rebe^lion when they don't have any valid real reason for any revo^ution. Like spoiled (sociopathic/narcissistic/entitled ungrateful) kids
@@realtruth3762 Reform is probably essential otherwise society may fracture along socioeconomic fault lines. The unpleasant and destructive human traits you mention are spread across the social spectrum and not confined to one particular group. When these tendencies predominate then we have problems. I'd say that those problems exist in one way shape or form in many countries but, unless changes occur, then the US may become ahead of the curve and have insufficient stability to maintain those lifestyles. The UK isn't free from this disease, it's just simply lagging behind. The problems are there and the cure on offer will be more hedonism, which will provide temporary escapism while the whole edifice crumbles. I'm sure it's possible to live through this great upheaval with a satisfying life - I do hope so. When we see a group of problematic people we often project our own repressed frustrations - its very difficult not to do. The OPs hungry ghosts analogy is spot on.
kimba but they don't really pay the average low IQ moron well who buys into every bs. But that's one of many things why some ppl will always rule over others bc they often also have twice their IQ (besides! other factors) so they know exactly how to play their pawns. Sad but unfort true all over the world
I think of a man who can be with himself and by himself securely and intentionally. I don’t need to be with just anyone and I don’t want anyone to be with me just because they can’t be alone.
I find that many folks who accuse one of leading a monk or hermit type life are not actually living themselves. Consuming and ‘socialising’ aka meeting up to drink and gaslight each other, measuring each other by accumulation of ‘goods’. Why be an object for people who are themselves are entirely a product of ideology
Have you heard of Linda Leonard? She's a Jungian author and I had to get every single book of hers once I read Wounded Woman. She has several chapters on Dostoevskiy and specifically Borthers Karamazov in Witness to the Fire that blew my mind. Yours is a third reference to this novel for me in three weeks. I think the Universe is sending me a sign. Thanks!
I think it’s like appreciating art when you see a well crafted piece of furniture. When that was created the artist intended it to be passed down and appreciated. That’s different from modern particle board cheap crap on the mass market. I have a client that I adore his house, everything is 1800’s and early 1900’s, every piece of hardware and woodwork is hand crafted. The house truly has a warmth because it’s unique and every detail has been thought out. In comparison I see these beige communities of recently constructed homes, it’s so cookie cutter and feels soulless. Those houses feel generic and the neighborhoods boring.
Beautiful objects were often created by monks, look at the manuscripts, icons, etc. Beautiful and/or useful objects are still made by monks, only some orders vow to poverty.
And this is why I am trying to control my desires by loving God and trying to follow the commandments. We are given true freedom as we give of our “freedom” to God.
Love that, absolutely brilliant. I choose at the age of 42 at the time I quit drugs and alcohol to for 10 years to live a monk's lifestyle which included abstinence, for me it was a good choice and I gained more from it than most could comprehend. 🙏
Recently I’ve found a way to stop myself from impulse buying… a simple question… ‘is this object worth the suffering that was caused to produce it?’ Did a child have to create this? How much fuel did it take to transport the item? Will it mean anything to me in 6 months? Is it worth fearing credit card bills to buy this item? I’ve also hit middle age and it strikes me… I’m using the resources of future generations. When I over consume it damages the planet and harms humans yet to be born.
Yeah but it also comes down to you too . Does that object identify you . You stand as your own person and identity , with out needing inanimate objects to show our likes and pleasures in life. Things don’t define us , so are these objects necessary? That I asked myself and that is when I took all my belongings to charity shops and was left with a couch and my pencils for creating . But even creativity does not fully define me either but it’s a pleasure I enjoy and I buy tools to play that out . My life has been better for owning a few number of things and enjoying nature more . Life is simple when we declutter . But once it’s done in the right way . An understanding that we are enough as we are .
This is becoming more and more poignant, especially now Richard and I truly thank you for this. You said that men have questioned what you’ve raised about relationships and being like a monk’ (presumably meaning - a good looking man like yourself failing to use your guile to pull women for the egoist sake of it - ooh what a waste etc🥱) and that Dostoevsky said ‘men distort their own nature’ ….this is just so effing true!
Recently I realized that I'm basically a monk with an internet connection, so it's an amusing coincidence to hear about you being called monkish. Glad to know I'm in good company!
Thanks Riche, it’s lovely to see there is more of us basking in a sweet, soothing solitude that brings satisfaction in measuring OUR desires and fulfilling of OUR needs. Society’s standards put upon us became ridiculous and perverse , and monkish calm and self-healing life is viewed as silly and limiting. Enjoy every moment of it cause it gets better and better. Love and light🌍
I am heartened to see the direction you are going in. Please keep posting this sanity, Richard; it is so greatly needed in the chaos of the west. Just never quell your brilliant sense of humour, though, please! It’s such a great vehicle.
I agree,people would rather us live with someone not compatible,just to say we have someone.I always found that desperate..I’ll take the mad Dog lady intead 😂
Karamarov Brothers was mine book of the june 2020 summer while picking black currents and strarberries in my parents garden. Long book. And yes, lots of topics to think of.
Men aren’t angry with you for being monkish Richard they are angry because you remind them to value their sanity through your actions. I agree with your premise looks like society is experiencing hedonism 2.0.
BRAVO to you, you are a Brilliant Human-man! I've enjoyed and Greatly Appreciated you & your works, as they have helped me hugely. Not 100% but probably closer to 99%. This video share Excells! IMO, when you've been in intimate relationships that have gone "No where", (lol) no where that you're ego intisipated nor liked, but did take you into your depths of being. You are walking the path of a wounded healer [shaman] not a stereo typical dude... I have watched as you have shared wisdom, vulnerability.... and you are looking healthier than I've ever seen you. I walk a simular path, when I pulled back into my 'monastery' phase as in mono/ solo alone phase introspection, healing, licking my wounds... I was deeply saddened and also sincerely liberated and pleased from within. I once told an elder man at the Mediterranean Sea that I didn't 'need' another to be happy. He was furious and rejected the notion telling me not to do that! Not to be happy from within. Not to be free of looking outside myself for joy. LOL. Not all wise elders are wise, nor happy, nor joyful from with in, but simply elderly. 💖 🙏
Forgot time while dancing Bachata and Kizomba for almost 4 hours. Feels so good to be able to do this again. Will finish listening to you tomorrow while typing at work. You have made me think about why we do this constantly, comparing if others should be doing life their way or our way...it's a head trap for many. Especially for certain community's of sm. 🤗thank you for sharing Dostoyevsky. I have not read much of his work because my mind does not stick to it. Will tackle it later after gaining more patience😶until then...I will dance.
Freedom is choice and uncontrolled desires excell as a modern climate of necisistation. Yes, now-a-days we have more variety and access to stimulation of our own path of desires, needs and wants, not to forget informance and education. Controlling vanity should unleash the greater desires, constructive and ammendable.
Although I am not a christian I do follow another living monk/ mystic Friar Richard Rohr's daily meditations .. today, highlights Brother Lawrence (lived in the 17th century) how he rejected formal mediation/prayer practices etc for living a connected life through a practice of attention i.e. love through daily actions. Sounded so familiar (thanks to the 30daychallenge) ! I am loving monks!
I’ve enjoyed your videos for a while now, but I gotta say that lately you been killing it! Thank you for speaking up about the things that truly matters right now. We can not afford to stay silent while our personal freedoms are ripped away.
Not everyone who loves God is "possessed by theology." Many are realists like yourself. I know you realize that Dostoevsky himself got the wisdom to write such a book primarily from scripture. The book of Proverbs alone will blow the modern mind. But the entire Bible is unspeakably wise...as is the Book of Mormon. Anyhow, it's refreshing to see your growth of late, Richard. A wise man growing wiser nothing less than inspiring to see, and always thought provoking.
I wonder if Richard even reads our comments. I enjoyed this clip as I have been living somewhat of a “monkish “life as well. I love how well read you are Richard and thank you for sharing this. It was thought-provoking and as usual, I can always count on you saying something that makes me chuckle.
I missed the Q and A as the premiere yesterday due to the stormy rains in Germany. Just lots of water from all possible directions and "mini-me"..Power went out, no lights, no phone, no Internet.. So much to "the united and bound together world - in brotherly community - (...my bucket and me).. ..that overcomes distences and sets thoughts flying through the air"😅😂 Refined tricky nifty little video! LIKE!!🎯 Thanks Dostoyevsky.. for saving my humor
I'll share my poem here after that excellent reading. I hope the themes are not too removed from most readers. Inextricable by Your Quality Apologist This knot cannot be unwound.. Tick-tock, fruit falls to the ground. Perennial proverbs, we're cursed to the tree. A snake like a dragon is looking at me! Such slippery slices, who pieced it for pies? We're building a lodge, we measure a G.. Every point on a line, leaves us the Y--z! What's free versus those frisking for fees.. A deity dies, dices what's priceless! Gal in the gallows, a gulag for guy. Oh it's Osiris I-O also ISIS! God! What's the dogma? Dirty dogs in a sty.. A project of vices, to cause all the crisis.. O, designer of mouths, hands and these eyes! So we wander and wonder and isn't for naught.. I was looking for something, sum ring once sought.. I'm seeking a thought, my memory maunders.. Lackluster light know now casts lots.. These guts are all we got! Sheep to the slaughter.. Scape goats weren't what we bought. Retribution, good Gods would not conjure! A gift begotten but eventually brought. For fake fickle feathers Icarus drops! Sly serpents slither right now surely stronger.. Forsaken for now, fear forwardly fought! The glory the splendor, gutsy when shot.. For I'm no slave a true child to foster! Forgive me, for this forgery I've forgot! Forewarned to forfeit if focus of fraught.. What things I stare at when it is that I ponder? Dark glass reflections, a war that I've wrought! Inside are some vessels, on surface cracked-pot.. Siphoning stares I am assuredly squandered.. So as our days near their ends, we are not long in yonder, in all of their honor, temporarily removed from our friends. Writing letters with these pens, A wall! It there to defend. The tickets I've sold to go saunter. Those up feel frisky for flaunter! Travels postponing-work pends. I'm still here for an encore, with back turned to the condor, jokeRs played into a joke to a tRend. I've charged those who offend, O, fend 'er ascend her! My kin! The banter is bond for- What we pretend are not sins.. These nightmares I've conquered, the cold behind- still somber.. What dreams that I long for.. as I aid in a launder.. All the energy simply is spent! All of this will soon cease as our haunter. My treasures' in heaven, pockets are lient!
I am doing same lifestyle and i am also fine with it (without high and lows - just peaceful ) isnt that healthier than stress?!! Sometimes lonely but moreover happy with myself and I fulfill my needs and whises without holding back. But for sure IT IS a lonesome way to walk if you chose to give to your own energy..
