the refuge within

when we stayed in dharmsala
(during our visit to india)
the monks there seemed to be very
caught up in themselves
they did not look up when walking by
or cast a glance at the lepers in the streets
or cast a glance of hello or anything like this
some were in the courtyard debating
and attempting to one up the other
with intellectual challenges
some were simply not open to the flow
of things as they were
monkhood is not meant to be a place
to lock oneself away into
and escape from the world
nor is it to be used to prop oneself up
and feel different and special
the monastery is meant to be a sacred place
to go and find refuge within (the heart)
and go to the holy waters of God
which is one
so many use it as an escape from life and
drama
but when one does this,
then the world still lives behind a locked door
and will crowd in once again when the
soul is challenged ..
this does not mean monasteries are not
challenging, they are in the way of
very disciplined schedules and such
worldly preoccupation is to be left behind,
but one is not to be closed off to the flow of life
one is to be present in all conditions
no matter how hard or easy
it makes no difference...
and it is when the mind is still
within all circumstances
that one is then ripe for liberation



this is the writing of the moment
be open
and live as if this is the monastery
for your journey
this moment