Two posts in one day but I just felt the need to share this with you all.
He notices, however, that all of the monks are copying from copies,
not from the original manuscript.
So, the new monk goes to the head abbot to question this,
pointing out that if someone made even a small error in the first copy,
it would never be picked up!
In fact, that error would be continued in all of the subsequent copies.
The head monk, says, 'We have been copying from the copies for centuries,
but you make a good point, my son.'
He goes down into the dark caves underneath the monastery
where the original manuscripts are held as archives in a locked vault that
hasn't been opened for hundreds of years..
Hours go by and nobody sees the old abbot..
So, the young monk gets worried and goes down to look for him.
He sees him banging his head against the wall and wailing,
'We missed the R!
We missed the R!
We missed the R!'
His forehead is all bloody and bruised and he is crying uncontrollably.
The young monk asks the old abbot, 'What's wrong, Father?'
With a choking voice, the old abbot replies,
'The word was...
CELEBRATE!!!'
This old joke has caused me to think. I am a few months into this experiment. Yes I am still calling it an experiment. It has been a mixed time. I have had some people contact me and asking to join. I am in discussion with these people and let’s see where that goes. I have had some people contact me, asking why and telling me there is no monastic tradition within druidry. I have told those people yes I know that historically there is no tradition but since we accept that most of what the neo pagan community does was never done in the Celtic societies then why is my approach any less valid.
I have begun to realise that some people are afraid of monasticism.
Each day I rise and recite the office and connect with the Gods and just be. I take a step in faith. Faith that the Gods are calling me into this life of service and faith in the value that this way of being has.
I am realising more and more that monastic simplicity is the greatest of gifts. It is this, I think, that frightens people. I am finding the simpler I can be the more I achieve.
I see myself now at a watershed point. I am at the point where this becomes less of an event or experiment and moves into a lifestyle.
This is my point. Pagan monasticism is all about celebration about that joy felt in a birthday party. It is about just letting go.
We are all a bit guilty of wanting to be smart. We all have opinions and views and we like to sound well read and erudite. This is what monasticism actually challenges. We live a life of simplicity and openness often doing the same actions on a daily basis; we are a path for simple people.
I pray the Gods open my heart to celebrate more in this path and to bring that joy to all I meet.
May the Gods help me to remain simple as my journey unfolds. Smiling and laughing I go out into the world.