The Monastery

When a person is confronted with a situation that will change his life forever, that person must face it alone, and begin to prepare. Within less than a second, I became such a person. The months leading up to the day of induction was exhausting. For the first year I was in a daze. Then I knew that to survive my penance I would have to place my mind in an alternate reality and create a barrier so that I could function but not surrender to the machine. Many powerful men have come here before me; some learned and moved on to better things. Others sat still until their light was dimmed forever. There are many secrets within these walls. I am Monkish and this is the Monastery.

This Monastery is like no other. It is open to all male adults. It is built like a fort to protect us. The view of the river is beautiful but at times it calls for many tears to raise the tide. When I entered this Monastery, I became what people in another time would have called a "philosopher King." I gave up my wealth and my personal belongings. My wife and children are looked after by the commune. I spent every day asking, "Why me? What happened? What now?" I had to redirect my questions so that I could grow and Learn.

There are many who come here more than once for their own reasons. I will only need this one sabbatical leave to put everything in its right perspective. There are countless false prophets here who are like crabs in a bucket. One will always try to pull you down to his level if you let him. They represent only some of the darkness here. You can still learn from them. Extract knowledge from them that even they don't know they possess. There are also the ones I call "the watchers." They are here to keep the peace. There are some watchers who have been in this Monastery for decades. They are often miserable men who interfere with the Monks who seek wisdom.

There are those of us who come together four nights a week to be taught, and absorb every bit of available information. These nights belong to the people I call the "exemptionist ones" who come to enlighten us. Each exemptionist has a forte. Some of them are females, which is an exception in this monastery. The tools of wisdom that each of them use to open our minds is difficult to put into words. I am a fairly new member of "Brothers who go to school!" When I walk through the great Hallway that links us to a better life I get that same intense feeling like when you are in love or when you lose someone you love. The feeling is my heart defying gravity. It feels like it is floating inside my chest, and like it is being tickled with a feather.

Then there are days when I may begin to let my emotions get the best of me. On those days I try to stay in my quarters to avoid any problems. Anyone can slip a little; it is a part of rehabilitation. You have to be strong minded enough to correct the slip up. I am at peace now. I am learning to be more patient. I am not the man 1 was before. I have reinvented myself and when I go beyond these walls I should not be feared for the man I was; I should be embraced for the jewels I have acquired. I continue to write down my plans for the future. I welcome you to my sanctuary. This is only the beginning of my journey.

My thoughts - my words - or - my ideas may not feed the hungry, end U.S. debt, or bring peace to a country like North Korea. But - they - can - if when read aloud they fall upon the right ears. Thus I Monkish continue to walk these halls thinking, learning, and searching for the missing bricks that will pave the road, and lead me to my purpose in life - my destiny.