I Met a Buddhist Monk When I Was 22: Part 2

fungusmonk (54) · 8 years ago

It's interesting what you say in the last paragraph about your thinking and meditation. I've been reading Jung's Psychological Types, and in the first chapter he talks about how the common attitude in the age of antiquity towards what we now understand as "thoughts" or "internal monologue" was that they were more visionary or some sort of magic like perhaps the gods speaking through or to you.

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4 votes

stellabelle (75) · 8 years ago (edited)

I think 'gods' were invented because the average person cannot comprehend where these highly imaginative ideas come from, as we cannot just accept the fact that they might emerge organically, just as cells form, birds sing, etc. I feel that humans are not comfortable with the unknown, and in their quest to get rid of anxiety, they must define everything. I take the opposite view: I am comfortable with the unknown, and I don't have the need to define everything. This is a more organic approach to living and to understand what the contents are inside one's own mind. I've spent a good chunk of my life studying these mind things in depth, and by doing, I am not afraid of them, nor do I need to define their origins.
But yes, I have had many 'visions', too, as many religious people would define them. I see no reason to define my visions as something religious though. The visions appeared to me, as a way of directing my energies in life towards them. They had a purpose. I am not special in this arena. Many people live this way.

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fungusmonk (54) · 8 years ago

Yeah, and that's clear in the characterizations of human nature in Greek and other mythologies,with different gods likely reflecting conflicting urges and beliefs of people.

I think vision-esque experiences are the product our intuition and subconscious processing experiences and information, and spitting out conclusions very suddenly into our conscious minds. You're right, many people do live that way, myself included; based on our society and what it values, it's decidedly a less common way of being, but an important and valid one nonetheless.

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stellabelle (75) · 8 years ago

i believe people like us would fit in very easily in a tribe. A lot of modern society people have lost their inner narrative, as it has been replaced by consumerism. The traveling inward has a wealth that people of nowadays have mostly lost. Artists, programmers, writers and other creative people, those who create not in some kind of mechanical way, but as a product of inner dialogue, those people are like the messengers of a world before corporations and the over-dependence on consumerism. The less I buy, the more I am creating to fill in the voids. It took me a while, but I can say that I don't really desire things anymore. I desire experiences and connection, but not 'things.' It has not always been this way, but I started my quest pretty early....in my early 20's. I've been practicing this for a while now.

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fungusmonk (54) · 8 years ago

Huh, that's a really thought provoking perspective. Maybe Steemit is the tribe! I'm definitely getting better at detaching myself from things. Objects only matter to me insofar as they are vehicles for experience.

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ender (52) · 8 years ago

Do you think your water visions of a machine and ocean were steem premonitions? Maybe foreshadowing your children's book?

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vm2904 (64) · 8 years ago

@stellabelle - Your story amazes me but at some level I think I have seen half ass monks of many many religions in my travels. I have seen people considering themselves greatest servants of God act with a 'holier than thou' attitude towards needy fellow humans practically in every temple, mosque or church I visited. This was to such an extent that I almost vowed to never visit such places of worship. I would not call myself an atheist - I do believe that there is a point of strength every man or woman needs to believe in. Perhaps this is God for some and perhaps it is some loved one for some others - that is immaterial but I believe that at some moments in life, we have to look for this external source of strength. Unfortunately, the path to this external source of strength is riddled with middlemen created by our society and religious structure. As an intellectual at some level, I can meditate (think actually as you point out) and connect to my strength sources in my mind but multitudes have been coached, for centuries, that they need these middlemen like Sadhus, Moulas, Priests and Monks to reach God. Religion, in many senses, has become a source of creating money and power in many countries. I speak about this often with people and try to educate them. I do not know how much effect it has but I will keep trying. Sorry for this rant but your blog triggered this chain of thought. It is admirable that you tried to share your experience and have chosen your own path of religion and meditation (thinking). Thanks for sharing.

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3 votes

igor-steem (56) · 8 years ago (edited)

Hello @stellabelle. I translated this post in Russian. Translation here: https://steemit.com/journal/@igor-steem/ya-vstretila-buddiiskogo-monakha-kogda-mne-bylo-22-goda-i-vot-chto-ya-uznala-zhurnal-naiden-segodnya-vecherom. Thank you! Post is very interesting. The last paragraph for me was the most important in this series of articles. Very interesting rule of life. Respect!

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jessicakluthe (51) · 8 years ago

Ooh that physical description! So descriptive that I felt like I was sitting at the bar with him listening to that story.

What an interesting -- big picture -- life experience. Travel is so enriching. Thanks for sharing this story!

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stellabelle (75) · 8 years ago

thanks for reading.

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mrwanderlust (58) · 8 years ago

inspiring! "I just call it thinking." That moved something in me, gave me motivation. thanks.

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stellabelle (75) · 8 years ago

maybe it's because as humans we have to overcomplicate everything. Maybe we are better off thinking in very general terms instead of fucking up everything with over-complexity.

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natureofbeing (69) · 8 years ago

Bummer that Horatio had to make a move...this kind of disappointing story was so familiar to me in my 20s when everything with men inevitably seemed to come down to sex.

I really like your "thinking" ritual and how you simply honor without doubt what arises for you in that space, it's brilliant!

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The Broken Buddha, A Critcal Review of Theravada Buddhism and A Plea For A New Buddhism

reddust (71) · 8 years ago (edited)

I had an opposite experience. But I went looking for a Buddhist Teacher and found a Korean center in Gresham Oregon. Mahayana Korean Zen has its own problems, which my teacher a Korean Monk, we were both in our 30s at the time, he told me about lots of corruption and broken vows.

My teacher treated me as if I was a Buddha, he became my first real male friend. He never did or said anything inappropriate and taught me true compassion. Even if you are broken and wild like me there is the potential within you to become free, to become a Buddha. Sunim helped me break free from trauma conditioning brought on by childhood sexual abuse by my stepfather. I owe him and the Korean community my life, they helped me save myself and my family.

Buddhism is not about gods or deities, its not about earning merits, it's about the letting go of aversion, craving, and ignorance regarding who you truly are and seeing reality as it is not as you wish it to be...

Men abused me but I don't hate all men, my Mom abandoned me, but I don't distrust all women, however I am also very careful, I don't trust anyone until I've known them personally for a couple years.

I'm sorry you had a bad experience @stellebelle, but not everyone has had a bad experience with Buddhist Monks

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papascrubs (48) · 8 years ago

Is that Den of Earth?

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dimitrya123 (51) · 8 years ago

Reading your story give me reason to keep faith in humanity and not doing something stupid.

As you already said, you are flawed, … But who isn’t ? I am, they are, even a monk is not perfect - even if he tends to be :)

There is hope.

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brianphobos (70) · 8 years ago

@stellabelle And that is why I came back to catch up on your blog. Very entertaining to me. I actually laughed out loud a couple times while reading this. No eyebrows reminded me of when Neo got flushed out of the Matrix. LOL

Also I like the fact that you say you learned a lot from this half-assed monk. Hahahah Also one thing that struck me as very interesting was that you have been atheist since you were 8 years old. I have a very similar experience. I called bullshit on Noah's Ark when I was 7. It logically didn't make sense even then.

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4 votes

heelzkinu (57) · 8 years ago

That's so great that you have studied about buddhism and hinduism . As I am from India we belong to hindu family but we also pledge buddism.
We have seen "JAIN's" a caste in buddhist that they work for people and help at its best.
I learn alot from them.
If you have seen shaved buddhist then you should also know about when they pledge for buddhism They have to leave their family and to also have to give their clothes off with their flip flops too.
Thank you @stellabelle for sharing your experience with us.
And I wanna welcome your mother for becoming a part of our family.
@stellabelle <3

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stellabelle (75) · 8 years ago

thanks

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dimitrya123 (51) · 8 years ago

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krishatnet (56) · 8 years ago

I am late here. I am a spiritual person practicing meditation from 5 years. I like buddism.
I have made a funny post about you just check it.
https://steemit.com/funny/@krishatnet/celebrities-about-stellabelle-funny-memes-just-for-fun-only

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hatemmkh (55) · 8 years ago

Upvoted and resteemed after reading
I like your way of telling stories @stellabelle

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stellabelle (75) · 8 years ago

thank you.

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hatemmkh (55) · 8 years ago

you are welcome

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abhilashrai (42) · 8 years ago

Sometimes people are not how they look in there appearance but this at least gave you an alert sign that even people who tend to show that they have a pure heart are not always the same.

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arekwolf (53) · 8 years ago

In a similar vein, I attended yoga classes for months, only to learn that both the long-time practitioners and teachers were no more spiritual than a non-spiritual myself :-)

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mehdikh19 (5) · 8 years ago

OMG nice post be happy

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vinyprop (57) · 8 years ago

Hey @stellabelle.. Thanks for the post. It was as interesting as it's previous part. ☺️☺️✌️👍✍️

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thesaurus (37) · 8 years ago

meditating is the key! nothing more or less that i can do to make myself clam and relax. the more i relax, the better for me to understand thing around me. this is just me, how about you?

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bloomberg215 (54) · 8 years ago

Interesting post. I still think that most Buddhist monks have inner pace and whit that, peace of their mind. Dalai Lama for me is extraordinary person. There so many positive thinks you can learn from them. But your experience whit that horny man was kind of strange, bad and weird.

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lennstar (66) · 8 years ago

Why do/did you think buddhist monks and sex don't go together?

Afaik even the "real" Buddha advised his young followers do have sex if they can't bear it.

Monks are just people with flaws.

And he certainly hold it that aiming for perfection is the path to disappointment.

Also Buddhism teaches to avoid extremes, and that includes self-desroying ascetic.

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stellabelle (75) · 8 years ago

I suppose I had the wrong idea from college courses, or my own wrong assumptions. I think I read about acetics, and assumed that monks try to abstain from sex. I would guess some do, but I suppose it depends on the specific monastery.

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lennstar (66) · 8 years ago

Yes, there are a lot of different rule sets in every religion. And the Buddhist are, on average, not the strictest I think.

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pjcswart (65) · 8 years ago

Hi @stellabelle would it be OK if I translated your posts into Afrikaans? It is very similar to Dutch, and even closer to Flemish which they speak in Belgian. Can I then post them under my own account with references and links to you?

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hatemmkh (55) · 8 years ago (edited)

I liked part 1 and I'm sure I will enjoy this part also
gonna read it and resteem it right now because you are always awesome

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shirish5 (57) · 8 years ago

Thanks for sharing your experiences with us.

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anneke (69) · 8 years ago (edited)

This is very interesting - must have been quite an adventure

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ragequit (42) · 8 years ago

haven't read it, have you..

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dim753 (65) · 8 years ago

Stella i learn a lot of things from your posts. Thanks for sharing

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grizzman (53) · 8 years ago

Now I clearly see why you told me Horatio is not only intelligent but also a disgusting man. I kind of always believed that monks were more a higher degree of being a good person. But like you I do realize that even dark people can hide behind a cloak of light and goodness, but in reality they are still the same person no matter what they try to hide behind. It was probably a good idea that you never saw him again after the bar incident, who knows what else he may have tried to do. You seem very intelligent yourself and mentally strong. No doubt these past situations in life help mold us to be better and stronger today.

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vikbuddy (60) · 8 years ago

@stellabelle Thanks for This Wonderful Post . I was Waiting for this one. What a Spiritual Experience You Had very deep post. Great Memoir for You I can understand , Hope I would have had one such Experience of Lifetime. Amazing Work , Thanks for Sharing. This is gonna be my Favourite . Upvoted God Bless You. :)

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iot-corp (49) · 8 years ago

What an interesting story and it sounds like you have had some great traveling experiences. I myself have not met a Buddhist Monk, but this gives me some great insight into that culture in general! Thanks for all of your amazing posts and for sharing your talents. Thank you as well for #gettingmyassonsteemit! I am meeting some great friends and learning many great things!

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tzap90 (56) · 8 years ago

Well written stella.
such a life of a Buddhist requires a lot of dedication. respect to them

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kumar.malhotra (44) · 8 years ago

I do Respect Lord Buddha & its teaching.

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waykiwayki (46) · 8 years ago

I've spent 10 days with some Tibetan monks fasting, and also later in life I did some interviews with some Tibetan monks for a documentary looking into their views on certain ancient scriptures. There are three things going on.... 1) Some can't handle life and run to monkhood. 2) Some seek divinity and dive into the religion, not questioning, and doing "good" within the exoteric religious doctrine. 3) Really wise masters or lamas who have been deep into the inner worlds and esoteric paths of their traditions. It all depends on which of these we spend time with. Peace, ww.

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gokike (34) · 8 years ago

Maybe what you call thinking is simply stillness.

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b4tn4t (32) · 8 years ago

Was totally not expecting this as how it went down with the monk.
I thought youd get some kind of spiritual epiphany, bc of the interaction...
Hmm...
On a subconscious level, i knew that not all monks in eastern religions were "saintly", but i never thought of it in total awareness. I really wanted some kind of group to be all holy and pure...
Looking back, when i see a monk, i subconsciously feel safe and like i can trust them and tell them my deepest secrets and desires, and that they have all the answers (Yes i totally see how silly that is lol)

This is reminding me of what my message is, which is to listen to your own voice (aka truth).
Because you never know what wolf in sheeps clothing youll be getting life advice from...

I believe we, (individually), have all the answers for our own selves and lives.
We keep ourselves so damn small when we continually give our power away.
Whether it be to a god, gov't, teacher, parents, etc...

Im really loving this platform.
Its very thought provoking and invites loads of similar minded folk.

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tommyquest (47) · 8 years ago

you've lived a vivid life so far, you'll be a hit at the retirement home when the time comes ;). i had no idea back when we met at the ec house of the variety of your experiences. i wish we could have had more time getting to know each other better

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steempowerpics (69) · 8 years ago

Very interesting read, both posts together. I have often questioned the legitimacy of most religious leaders beyond the scope of moral guides for those who seem to need to be told what is right and wrong in order to function. But we see so many times in the news how much those moral guides seem to lack in the morals department. More of a do what I say, not as I do kinda thing. Your experience really backs that up.

I truly believe we, humanity as a whole, is missing a huge part of our real past. Our history goes back much further than we are taught and until we can recover that knowledge we will always be searching for an explanation for life. Internal reflection on the bigger picture (your deep thinking) is the best way to find our place in all this madness.

It's nice that you kept your journals from your travels as a youth. I never wrote things down like that, I was more of a take pictures person. Unfortunately old school film photos fade faster than pen and paper.

Thank you for sharing @stellabelle.

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chinese-gandalf (51) · 8 years ago

Very nice story to read and learn from it. It's true one person didn't present the entire religion. Some people's use religions for their own benefit. It's sad to see something like that.

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stellabelle (75) · 8 years ago

it happens every day. Just look at the Catholic priests and what they did to children.

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chinese-gandalf (51) · 8 years ago

I just read a news on CNN about Catholic priest having a gay party in their top priest apartment . Here a link for you to read. https://www.google.com/amp/www.nydailynews.com/amp/news/world/vatican-police-raid-drug-fueled-gay-orgy-cardinal-apartment-article-1.3302974

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yaan (59) · 8 years ago (edited)

Oh my. I've read it all. Now i definitely need a drink. Buddhist Monk orgy is a hard pill to swallow lol.
I thought monks are like all into wisdom and true meaning of life...
That first picture though.. haha.

Actually i enjoyed it a lot. So there was another part? I'll probably go check it out!

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stellabelle (75) · 8 years ago

and did you get a drink?
I'm driving people to drink?

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yaan (59) · 8 years ago (edited)

Yep i made a cup of green tea. And now i feel better!
But i'll remember that about half-assed Buddhist monk. So one day i can say that i've seen it all! Even though it won't be true.
Omy goodness that's so funny hahaha.

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stellabelle (75) · 8 years ago

is your avatar a blue mr. bean?

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yaan (59) · 8 years ago (edited)

Yyyeees? I hope you're not offended with my avatar. It's the first picture i found in google.

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stellabelle (75) · 8 years ago

not offended at all...i love mr. bean.

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stellabelle (75) · 8 years ago

yes here it is: https://steemit.com/journal/@stellabelle/i-met-a-buddhist-monk-when-i-was-22-this-is-what-he-said-to-me-journal-found-tonight

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yaan (59) · 8 years ago

Thanks :d

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jenearp26 (36) · 8 years ago

Remarkable post! Thanks for sharing. WE connected on Twitter recently-I appreciate the tips. Upvoted and now following!

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dinsha (64) · 8 years ago

wow great article thanks for sharing your experience with us

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tabea (57) · 8 years ago

@stellabelle
Thank you for sharing your experience. I was already thinking when reading part one and the pointing to the sexual questions: where does this lead?!....
I have some buddhists experiences and I never heard anything about orgies in temples. May there be or not. It is even equal - because it is not my karma. But I tought the doctrine is even contrary - that they avoid the sexual drive just like not eating meat. But actually I dont know it very sure for buddhists pracitcing.
With hindu brahmani it is like described (no sex without the intentions of conceiving a child, no eating meat/fish/eggs, no gambling and further more). So if one comes with sexual ambitions - you know, he is just another human regligious who is preaching water and drinking wine....

Looking forward to read more about your travel experiences :)

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stellabelle (75) · 8 years ago

ha ha! Yeah, preaching water, drinking wine.

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joha09sohi (57) · 8 years ago

Which interesting publication, I recently caught my attention very much the history or stories about Buddhism, and I am very fascinated and interested in knowing more of this religion

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isaac.rodebush (54) · 8 years ago

Hello @stellabelle,
Quite the adventure!

I just wanted to say thank you for all the work you did to promote the Dash community with the women of Dash and working with Amanda B Johnson.
Best,
Isaac

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elleneastcoast (36) · 8 years ago

Sigh, religions can be beautiful, the religious? not so much. I am an agnostic, leaning hard towards atheism. I find most religions rather frightening, they all value the scrotum brigade above all else. Thanks for the post, it was very enjoyable.

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stellabelle (75) · 8 years ago

what is the 'scrotum brigade'?

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qasimwaqar (59) · 8 years ago

I always love to see your posts. In fact, i wait to see your posts desperately. thanks

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arckrai (62) · 8 years ago

Weird to hear how he had that uncanny tinge around his eyes but at least it probably doesn't bother him.
I agree with many principles of Buddhism and with them the world would definitely be a better more peaceful place.
It is one of the most rational, harmonious, just humane religion there is.
We should all live with Metta. (Loving Kindness)

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stellabelle (75) · 8 years ago (edited)

kindness except when people are trying to abuse or manipulate us for thier own gain. Then we fight like hell.

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armonia (57) · 8 years ago

It is a good introspective position,
To interpreted of the statutes proposed by different religions.
Religion uses sophistry to catch naive and little studious
Within the walls of each type of temple (also of their hearts) other things happen. All earthly, at least 90%.
Hypocrisy and selfishness with outsiders.

The universe has just laws.
I greet your good subject.

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fraterralph (49) · 8 years ago

Interesting story. I have found the Buddhist philosophy very useful in my personal life, but have not yet met a monk like that thankfully. I try to vet my teachers rather carefully anymore. Sad but there is so much garbage to sift through in one's Spiritual journey and Personal Growth adventures. Thanks for the share!

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