Enlightened living is the true taste of freedom. You are peaceful even in the midst of chaos and clamor. Your mind is free regardless of whether you are sitting in a forest or in a trading room.
But what is it free from?
It is free from
– limited knowledge
– limited energy
– limited love
– limited happiness
But that’s possible only if you are a monk. So, you have to choose between two worlds. Right?
Is there a middle way?
The way of the Urban Monk is to learn to
be part of both worlds at the same time, effortlessly.
What can I say about the journey? No two journeys are strictly the same because no two travelers are really the same.
All journeys however, have some things in common
The beginning: It is characterized by dissatisfaction, hope and doubt; also called ‘the tap on the shoulder’. When, through the course of events in your personal life or work, you stop and ask ‘what the @#$ is going on?’. You google desperately to get the answers, but there are none to the fire that consumes your mind. After all, where you can you go to find reality, meaning, wisdom, your purpose in life, the Truth ? Who can you trust to get the answers from? But at least, you are stirred into action, learning, questioning. You have become a seeker. You have paused on the treadmill. You are ready to take a fresh look at life. You are up and away. But you need to prepare, with a specific set of tools. They are your body, mind, heart and spirit. You need to energize them for the journey. They have been left uncared for all these years, so treat them with care, but keep working on them. They will respond positively, when they find out you are serious about this.
The middle: It is characterized by insights, practice, patience. It is the best phase of the journey. Light bulbs are flashing in your mind every now and then. You are discovering new things, new ways of looking at the same things and are getting help from unseen forces on your journey. There’s increased serendipity, intuition, trust in the unknown and openness to knowledge. Your barriers are dropping, and insights are increasing. Years of conditioned views, beliefs, values are being shed like layers of dead skin. You feel lighter and are filled with vitality. But, it is also the toughest phase of the journey. You dont know when you will reach the end, how many miles there are left and if you need to choose a different path. and then, one day, it just happens. naturally. you reach the end.
The end: It is characterized by trials, flow, contentment and compassion. You look around, you see people suffering. You are moved in your heart to help. You have reached the end, but your new journey is just beginning. There are plenty of trials to test your realization and wisdom. Plenty of opportunities to lead and to serve. The seeds of dissatisfaction are still there and appear stronger to challenge you, in more creative forms. But this time, you don’t need to worry. Strength comes from within. Clarity comes from within. There is no doubt any longer – just flow. Burn up residual traces. Don’t let the seeds sprout again. Starve the fire off any additional fuel. Live freely. You are an urban monk now.
To get started on the journey, however, you have to be ready to walk with me down the mysterious highway connecting the two worlds…and be ready to walk with a beginner’s mind.
Who first built the highway, I do not know. All I know is the scenery is beautiful as well as frightening. Be ready to encounter seers, seekers, philosophers, cultures, history, mythology, scientists and faithful followers. You will also find cynics, fanatics, blind travelers, misguided youths, schemers and romantics.
The highway belongs to all of them, as they are an integral part of the scenery. Without them, the highway is incomplete.
In the pages to follow, I have catalogued tools and resources to help urban monks in different stages of their journey. It contains wisdom that speaks through the ages. If there are any shortcomings, I ask for your forgiveness and understanding. The shortcomings are mine alone and they do not take away even a bit from the brilliance of those great masters I learnt from.
I forgive every single day of my life.
But it is me of whom I forgive.
I accept that forgiveness as a thirst quencher.
Refreshing.
Life-saving.
Michael J