Celebrating Celibacy

[Jenny]

Re: Celebrating Celibacy

Hi John,
I see a retreat as an artificial situation, without distractions, designed so that we can take the time to waken up and become more aware. Hopefully we then bring that awareness into our daily life
to embrace whatever constitutes our life, computers, t.v. books, relationships, work etc.

I heard this joke somewhere.
A group of monks in a monastery (probably a Catholic one) spent some time pouring over old manuscripts, copying and illustrating them. One day one of the monks who had gone down to the cellars to do this didn't appear for some time. When the monks went to investigate they found him sobbing and crying. What was wrong they asked? "The word wasn't celibate", he sobbed, "It was CELEBRATE."

Jenny

[Stephanie]

Re: Celebrating Celibacy

I heard this joke somewhere.
A group of monks in a monastery (probably a Catholic one) spent some time pouring over old manuscripts, copying and illustrating them. One day one of the monks who had gone down to the cellars to do this didn't appear for some time. When the monks went to investigate they found him sobbing and crying. What was wrong they asked? "The word wasn't celibate", he sobbed, "It was CELEBRATE."

Gosh, I like this, though laughter wasn't my reaction.

Gassho--

[John]

Re: Celebrating Celibacy

I see a retreat as an artificial situation, without distractions, designed so that we can take the time to waken up and become more aware. Hopefully we then bring that awareness into our daily life
to embrace whatever constitutes our life, computers, t.v. books, relationships, work etc.

Hi Jenny,
Yes, I suppose a retreat is an artificial situation in some ways, but then again, it might also be more "real" too - we have just removed a lot of the everyday distractions from our lives. I think the main point about the video was the idea of simplicity in our lives. I used to think that people who went away to meditate by themselves for long periods were really suffering to try to achieve something, but that guy claims that he is really happy under these circumstances! I think I would be bored without all my toys, though. Or would I? Maybe I should try it again by having another retreat at home or by just simplifying by cutting down a lot of the unnecessary things I do. I do have a fear of being bored that I need to confront,

Good joke, by the way

Gassho,
John

[lora]

Re: Celebrating Celibacy

Hi, John,

Thanks for posting the video address. I listened to it earlier and found it to be of enormous benefit.
What it boiled down to, for me, was to stream-line and simplify my life. I've been meaning to clean out closets and the house of things anyway. They do weigh me down, even when they're not in view. A needing to de-clutter. Sort of a cliche, but to live a more "zen" life.

It's about being compfortable in my own skin, neither wanting nor needing others opinions. Letting go of cultural claptrap that is useless. And yes, being totally aware of the person who is watching me - me. That was a wonderful story he told about the theives.

I've been on a few silent retreats (though with others around) and I found them to be very peaceful and refreshing. The noise after I left was somewhat overwhelming and it took a day or two to adjust back to city life while attempting to maintain whatever serenity I'd received at the retreat.

Anyway, cudos to people who choose to live a celibate life AND cudos to those who choose not to!

A big thankyou again.

As long as we're trying to be awake.

Lora

[Jundo]

Re: Celebrating Celibacy

Hi,

I am watching a wonderful film on this topic, recommended by others recently. I find it handles the issues with great honesty and realism, very much in keeping with all sides of the question of celibacy for Buddhist clergy ... Also, a stunning and moving film. I give it "Five Bodhisattvas" (my highest rating)
(Jundo at the Movies)

SAMSARA - Synopsis: Set in the majestic landscape of the Himalayas and shot in glorious Cinemascope, Samsara - which means "the world we live in" - tells an epic tale of a spiritual quest. Tashi (Shawn Ku) is a brilliant young Buddhist monk who is just completing three years of solitary meditation in a remote hermitage. With long hair and beard and fingernails like talons, he is sitting in lotus position in a deep trance. Roused by a group of monks, he is taken back to the monastery to recover his strength. As he resumes a monastic life of constant prayer, he is honoured for reaching a state of advanced enlightenment. But surprisingly, despite a life devoted from the age of five to spiritual matters, he finds himself experiencing a profound sexual awakening. While performing a routine harvest blessing, he is irresistibly attracted to the farmer's beautiful daughter, Pema (Christy Chung). Arguing that Prince Siddhartha renounced worldly existence only after experiencing it, Tashi leaves the monastery to discover the bliss of sexual union and marries Pema who, it turns out, has spiritual wisdom that surprises and challenges him. Years pass, and Tashi reveals strength and acumen in dealing with the world, but there are many lessons still to be learned.
http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/samsara/

[Gregor]

Re: Celebrating Celibacy

Great point John . . . god knows it would do me some good to follow that teaching.