Dear Monk: A Monastery??
Dear Monk: A friend forwarded me your website and asked me what I thought about it.
It looks beautiful to me but also confusing. I’m not sure who you are and what this monastery represents. I feel like I am missing something (some sort of background information or something about who you are). So, because your website was brought to my attention, I thought I would email you and ask.
Dear Anonymous: I appreciate the question because I wouldn’t want anyone to get the wrong idea about the Monastery of the Mists.
What do a monastery, a monk, and A Course in Miracles have in common? Nothing.
A Course in Miracles stands on its own. It needs nothing else, only a little willingness.
Since nothing happens outside the mind of the dreamer, everything that seems to exist within the dream is simply a means to return to the mind when given to the Holy Spirit for His singular purpose. This is true whether we’re talking about a visit to a doctor, washing the dishes, A Course in Miracles itself, or an online monastery.
This website started out as an anonymous blog. I didn’t imagine it would would turn into an online monastery or that I would be giving classes. It just sort of happened. Bit by bit things evolved, all of it without a prior goal. It was a series of little steps, and what you see now is what happened to happen. I see it as a classroom and not a kingdom. It’s just what I happen to do.
So why a monastery? On several occasions in my life I’ve investigated and considered becoming a monk, and have always been attracted to the idea. About five years ago I was getting too much spam and had to come up with a new email prefix; since I prefer a monastic (quiet and simple) lifestyle, I decided upon “acimmonk”. The next day I started a free Blogspot blog and needed a name for it, so I chose www.blogspot.acimmonk.com. For the first month the blog itself had a non-monkish title (free class to the first person to whisper it — if anyone knows it). So, this site could have just as easily started out with the title ACIM Coffee House, for example, and today the sidebar would have a decaf room, a dessert room, an “I’ve Bean Unfairly Treated!” room, and The Abbey would probably be titled The Brew Crew. Whatever the symbols, we’d use them to share our cup-to-cup practice of the Course. We’d all be talking about our daily grind, how we have a latte problems, and share our various brew-ha-ha’s (spiritual experiences). But we’d all realize that that and a quarter would get us a cup of coffee.
An online monastery has nothing to do with the Course other than the fear that is undone and the love that is shared when we use the symbols for a holy purpose. It is one classroom among many, and any will do.
I am keenly aware that many ACIM churches will be built in the not-too-distant future, that there could well be “ACIM-based” wars fought in the very distant future, and that over time many will build personal fiefdoms to honor their personal ACIM God: Themselves. I don’t want any part of that. Yes, I’ve built an online monastery, write posts, give classes, and private sessions, but the key element is that I do not see it as my salvation or anyone else’s. It’s a theme I enjoy and relate to on a personality level, but my salvation rests with my inner work with the Holy Sprit.
As I’ve said in a previous post, my monastery is my mind, and the monk is my decision maker. These are symbols I would use to move beyond all symbols, in recognition that beyond this monastery there is a Monastery I want.
October 27th, 2009 at 4:16 pm
wasn’t the previous name, “the forgotten song”?
: )
October 27th, 2009 at 4:22 pm
What did that take… 32 seconds? lol
Name your class, Nick. ;)
October 27th, 2009 at 4:34 pm
Yay Nick!
And Monk. Back to writing the good stuff.
October 27th, 2009 at 10:08 pm
Wow – I think you left everybody like.speechless tonight, Monk. Or did I say ‘mousey’ again?
D♡G
October 27th, 2009 at 10:10 pm
I really enjoyed this. Thanks.
October 28th, 2009 at 1:27 am
i enjoyed reading this post very much as well!!
October 28th, 2009 at 3:41 am
I enjoyed reading it too. Loved the “I’ve bean unfairly treated”…that’s the ploy I’m quickest to see in myself.
Hugs and smiles around the monastery
October 28th, 2009 at 4:08 am
I just got “brew-ha-ha’s”
Very cleaver.
October 28th, 2009 at 4:44 am
nice….
October 28th, 2009 at 5:55 am
Oh how can i have bean so mistaken? i thought the Monastery was my salvation. Seriously – (no, I mean, really – because of coming here, I am certain that my salvation is closer than it used to be. I mean, really. There are about a ton of old beans I can not use to grind my coffe any longer- too bitter, too old, too wasted. The Monastery keps my coffe just perfectly roasted.
October 28th, 2009 at 6:38 am
omg What does this say about me?
I drink Instant Coffee. Instant Karma? Extemporaneous Existence?
Freeze Dried Love, hermetically vacuumed sealed?
Glad I already posted a picture of a Timmy. Someone would think I’m a Coffee Cat.
er, uh, make that Copy Cat. Kopy Kat.
Barista – over here!
Danke shön!
October 28th, 2009 at 6:49 am
Anne, this is OBVIOUSLY a sign from above. Above, I mean. Start buying freshly grinded coffe )grind it yourself) and E N J O Y the aroma.
’cause you deserve it ( FAMOUS ad-slogan in Norway for luxury-stuff.)
I hope you are doing better?
October 28th, 2009 at 7:00 am
Better – eh – still as weak as a kitten. Snoozing most of the day on the couch. Good days for tv with the sound turned way down.
Thanks for asking, though! I haven’t been sick with the flu since I was in my early 20’s!
October 28th, 2009 at 7:37 am
after i read the last line of the post i went up to look at the picture again, and totally got chills! the light coming in from the window, beckoning me to the ‘monastery’ beyond. i love the clarity in this post.
October 28th, 2009 at 10:57 am
Duuude.. Ya gotta be from Seattle to build your website on coffee…
October 28th, 2009 at 11:00 am
StarBooks?
as in a book with a star on it?
October 28th, 2009 at 11:04 am
yes, Anne. That’s the one.
October 28th, 2009 at 1:35 pm
Oh! I really enjoy the post. And the picture is beautiful.
October 28th, 2009 at 7:33 pm
And we are all so fortunate, Monk, that you are sharing your monastery with us, as we will share the big “M” Monastery in Truth much sooner, with your teaching.
xoxoxo
D♡G
October 28th, 2009 at 7:51 pm
Thank you, Debbi.
October 28th, 2009 at 10:14 pm
You’re so welcome, Monk
October 29th, 2009 at 6:39 pm
happy to be part of the Brew Crew…
October 30th, 2009 at 11:59 am
i LOVE this post ~ perfect ~ laughing in the mirror ~ <3
November 3rd, 2009 at 9:27 am
Perfect post along with all the others…thanks to the asker too
December 29th, 2009 at 1:21 pm
This post is so nice, it brings everything in perspective and, more than that, it has lots and lots of little jewels hidden (or not so hidden) in what seems an “historical” note…..
Love,
Roberta
December 29th, 2009 at 2:16 pm
Hello Roberta :) …….the pathways of this monastery are virtually paved with gold ….xox
December 30th, 2009 at 12:36 am
yes, Winnie, I agree – there is gold everywhere around here…….
December 30th, 2009 at 12:34 pm
Hi Roberta! It’s lovely to see you again.. Happy New Year to you and yours!
February 24th, 2010 at 3:24 pm
Peace unto you! kumbiya
March 5th, 2010 at 9:19 am
Beautiful. Thank you, Brother.