What Monks Know About the Secret to Success and Why You Need to Know it Too

What if there was a secret shared by monks that held the key to you living a life of maximum meaning and fulfillment? Would you want in on their secret?Of course, you would! Who wouldn't? Now, I know that some of you may be a wee bit skeptical. However, if you ever visit a monastery, you will observe, and hopefully experience, peace, and tranquility that is missing from most modern lifestyles. Is there something they know that we don’t know?“Whoa, where are you going with this post, Kevin?”You might be thinking that I’ve lost my marbles. Especially if I am about to suggest that celibacy is the key for you to find meaning in life.I am not advocating celibacy, so I hope you’ll continue reading and relax now that we’ve taken that off of the table.But you may still have some reservations about “The Monk Secret” that I am advocating. You may be worried that I want to pry that smartphone out of your hands. Again, you can relax.

Deny Thy Self?

Perhaps you are addicted to being buzzed and connected to the online world 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, every day of the year. But if you are always on your phone, you probably already have the monk posture. You know, your head bowed and hands together in front of you. Only for you, it’s not for prayer or meditation, but to look at the screen of your smartphone and two-thumbed typing or texting.If that is the case, you probably could benefit from a cellphone Sabbath or sabbatical. A cellphone Sabbath is breaking free from the constant connection one day each week, where a sabbatical entails ‘going dark’ (offline) for an extended period.Disconnecting from your smartphone may not help you find more meaning and fulfillment in life. At least, it will create space for you to “be still and know” rather than always being plugged in and turned on.But, that’s not the monk secret I have in mind.Nor is it asceticism, although most of us could benefit from some self-denial. The message of Madison Avenue is that you can have it all, and you deserve it all, so any talk of abstinence or moderation of life’s pleasures seems like nonsense in today’s world.There is certainly something to be said for simplifying your life. If that is interesting to you in any way, I highly recommend reading, Essentialism, by Greg McKeown.We could continue exploring facets of monastic life in search of the secret. Is it the simplicity of the wardrobe and diet? Is it the regimen of a strict daily schedule? Is it daily prayers and meditation?

All is Revealed

I do not want to diminish the value of any item or practice mentioned thus far. I believe all of the above-listed practices have value and contribute to a life of meaning and fulfillment. However, there’s something else that is even more fundamental to maximizing meaning and fulfillment in life.It is so central to the monastic life, yet it is also easy to overlook. The secret known by monks is that even their quest for personal piety and purity is not an entirely individual effort. It is a community effort! That’s right. Monks realize that even the quest to renounce worldly pursuits is better together, so they join together as part of a monastic community to support their pursuit. I guess you could say, it takes a village to raise a monk.[clickToTweet tweet="Even monks who take a vow of silence live in a monastic community. #dontgoitalone" quote="Even monks who take a vow of silence live in a monastic community. #dontgoitalone"]Monks need one another to thrive in their devotion.In one regard, monks might be considered the most isolated people on the planet. They have surrendered connection to the outside world, simplified their lifestyle, even pledged celibacy, and some also pledge silence, but they still need one another.I am again reminded of the words of John Donne,

No man is an island.

From one perspective, monks could be the most island-like among us, but not even they are islands, they are interconnected.And so are we.[clickToTweet tweet="Monks can’t do it alone. Neither can you." quote="Monks can’t do it alone. Neither can you."]You, the monks and I all need a community where we belong and where we support and encourage one another. Where we bring out the best in each other.That is the Monk’s Secret that we need to grasp. If you want to maximize meaning and fulfillment in life, you must belong to a vibrant community. You will never get there by yourself.As Bill Withers’ put it so simply, yet eloquently,

We all need somebody to lean on.

Who Do You Lean On?

If you are intentional about maximizing meaning and purpose in life, I invite you to join a community of like-minded people on that same journey. It’s Living Your WHY; you can learn more here.In my next post, we’ll explore who are the people you need to have in your community and how they help you Live Your WHY. [convertkit form=4898505]