Monastic Life

Did anybody watch Oprah yesterday? Part one was on Geisha's (and I found the guest extremely strange), and the second part was about life in a nunnery. Perhaps because I've spent time on retreat at a monastery, most of what they discussed was not as new and strange to me as it was to Oprah. And, sadly, it was portrayed like what they covered in the story was how it was in all monasteries. Not true.

The 100+ year old one that I've retreated at is full of all types of women. Some were married before and have grown children, and either came to the monastery after a divorce or death of a spouse. They are as diverse as you can imagine. And at this monastery, they don't wear habits, they wear regular clothing. Some of the very old nuns still wear a habit, but at some point this requirement became optional. And while they don't spend a lot of time at it, there is a television in a common area in their dormitories and they frequently will follow important sports or news events, and the Olympics.

Their "cells" are furnished like a dorm room in any way that they wish to have it. They can wear make-up and have their hair any way they want, but as they soon discover, there is nobody there to preen for, and no reason to try to be or look better than anybody else, and there simply isn't the time or desire to bother. Short hair is easier, and no make up is easier. We all know that. So it isn't a rule that must be enforced, it happens as a natural part of the rhythm of letting go of the hype of the outside world. Which, when you think of all that pressure we have, is pretty ridiculous.

Also, if you think that life in a monastery is silent and solitary, think again. It is rather like a cross between a college dorm and a commune with the added layer of them all having committed to the same major; serving God in accordance to a set of principles. If you think there is no drama, think again. It is, after all, a large group of women, who must divide and share all the tasks of making the facility run, and rotate chores/responsibilities. Oh, yeah, there can be drama. One thing I realized is that monastic life would be TOO social for me. You are deeply involved in the business of each other and there is no escape. It's a network of regular people, with extraordinary commitment.

Anyway, it got me thinking again about how attractive monastic life of some type continues to be for me. But I think I could very much groove to a silent monastery. I know my husband would disagree, but it could be done. There are many days when he is the only one I've spoken too all day (so he gets all the words that most people spread out among many others). There is the small stumbling block of being married, AND not belonging to any religion or faith, nor does any appeal enough to convert just so I could live a monastic life. And I really think that a monastic hermit appeals a bit more to me.

Hmmmmm, other than self imposed exile somewhere with some lottery winnings to keep me afloat, the best I can do for now, is that I have a great husband who allows me to form my own lay monastic life here at home. Who knows what the future could bring? It often makes me wonder if I lived in a monastery or as a hermit in another life...something about it seems so appealing and SO familiar. But I know this...I often don't play well with others and don't have any desire to learn to try. I would be happy, (I think) with a small house in some scenic area, far away from people, only interacting enough to buy my wares (I'm not wanting to go all live-off-the-land-Grizzly-Adams).