In today’s world, it may seem at times that happiness is bought and sold in malls across America not to mention in car dealerships, restaurants and nail salons.
Soul searching can feel like a treadmill from one purchase to the next, destination unreachable. The newest electronic device, skinny jeans to replace the outdated bell bottoms, another pair of shoes. What does it all mean and as life ebbs in later years how much time and money has been spent in the pursuit of things? And could it have all been different?
New Monasticism? Where Can It Be Purchased?
New Monasticism is a movement that eschews money as a driving force in life. The New Monastic movement requires no dues. It is free to anyone and those like David Von Stroh, a graduate of MIT, find life devoted to easing suffering in the world, ripe with a fulfillment not found in a salaried position.
David’s life in a Bangkok slum community is chronicled along with numerous other New Monastics or New Friars in author Scott A. Bessenecker’s, The New Friars. A New Monastic community is thriving in America as well; additional information can be found at The Simple Way.
Living In Harmony As A New Monastic
While life as a New Monastic starts with a crescendo for some, it can be a journey that is taken in steps for those enamored of a closer relationship with what can be described as soul based living. As with any other trip, the beginning is the first step and considering the six listed below could have an impact that brings a whole new way of living.
- Ask loved ones to donate to charity in lieu of gifts.
- Spread the word that one dollar can make a difference. One billion people live in extreme poverty, on less than one dollar a day. $1 buys clean water for one person for one year at One Dollar Give.
- Give it away. Take inventory of possessions and have a garage sale. Donate the money to charity and breathe easy knowing that paring down to necessities could be liberating.
- Make room. With the homeless population exploding in conjunction with the average square footage of a home, a solution is already in existence. Rent out a room or rooms at a nominal fee to those in need or call a battered women’s shelter to inquire about donating a room to a woman on the path to health.
- Sell the house. Can life be had for less space and money? Move to smaller digs in a pedestrian friendly community. Walk about and connect with those in need.
- Volunteer for an organization in need. Matching with a mission that speaks to the soul is as easy as Volunteer Match.
If there was but one day left, what would it look like? Allowing oneself to give and give could bring about an inner joy that a soul engaged in community connectedness inspires.
Monasticism is an alternate way of living that is interesting in its aspirations. One well known New Monastic, Mother Teresa said, “I have found the paradox that if I love until it hurts, then there is no hurt, only love” and the next generation of New Monastics seem to be living these words daily.
Teri Clifton - Teri Clifton is a passionate traveler who loves striking out both alone and with her four children in search of adventure. Believing that ...
