Re: [CH] Moderate Monks?
Raven (ravenseeking@gmail.com)
Wed, 13 Dec 2006 06:14:55 -0700
As someone who works with and for monks, I have to inject a little realism here.
Most monks no longer wear any form of cassock, much less those with
hoods (and that is only certain orders), except for "special" events.
My boss doesn't even own one! In the 7 years I've been working there
I have met monks from several dozen orders, and none of them have
brought one with them and they are here for 100 days, across many
liturgical special days.
Also, people in religious orders are some of the most extreme folks
you will ever meet! They seldom do anything in moderation. Religious
orders have many, many people with addiction problems... gambling,
alcohol, sex, food.
And they also have overwhelming majorities of people who have thrown
everything in their lives into a particular calling ("cause") and
accomplished amazing things (our own Jim C would fit right in and
nearly did I think!).
However.... I understand the reasoning behind the moderate monk theme
and would never say don't do it. Because, almost without exception,
the other thing monks take to excess is a sense of humor.
~ Raven