well my eldest child is now 20 years old and living independently, my youngest who is 16, has chosen to live at her mother's place, and I once again find myself with no real aspirations in life, aside from the spiritual. I'm giving away most of my material possessions, have given notice to vacate at the flat I've lived in for about 12 years or so, and am looking to live in an environment more conducive to the physical seclusion that assists in cultivating a deeper practice of the Dhamma, especially the cultivation of meditation.
Some monasteries offer laymen the opportunity to reside for a period of time and follow the monastic life and routine, to try it out. I have no illusions about the attempt being easy, but I also know that to some extent, it will be easy or difficult to the extent that I control my mind, or not. Memories will no doubt flow up, perhaps worries, and almost certainly desires from the lay life, but surely they are only a hindrance if one gives such thoughts credence, if one identifies with them as 'me' or as 'mine', or allows them to linger, rather than quickly sweeping them out, and replacing them with thoughts or resolves 'connected with skill', instead. Surely, if we simply apply ourselves to the practice, and quickly sweep aside any intrusive thoughts or doubts as the 'old mental rubbish' they generally are, it can't be that hard to live a more renounced life.
I wanted to share my intention here because, I've never before felt so much faith in the Dhamma, and this site (Dhamma Wheel) has been a significant part of my journey towards greater conviction in the Teachings. Nor has the thought of getting rid of virtually all my material possessions (I will keep a few things in storage, such as my PC, and a few other items), been so appealing. I'm going to at least make an attempt, and whether that translates into long-term residence, or just a temporary stay from which I will probably learn much, either way, it seems very right at this time.
Thank you so much to all the practitioners here, and please forgive my sometimes overly-emotionally reactive posts from the past, although I do want to state for the record, my intentions were, to the best of my knowledge, generally good, but I was simply rather mentally undisciplined and distressed at the time, plus I guess I was rather more deluded back then, although there's still plenty of that to deal with, of course!
Ok, now that's all said, any suggestions and advice are welcome! I'm rather busy atm cleaning out my flat and throwing out stuff
however I will of course be checking in on this post, to read any replies. May you all be well, happy, and flourish in the practice of the precious Buddha-Dhamma, and find the ending of all suffering & stress.
My life could hardly be more boring than it is right now, so if anything the change of scenery will be like a holiday. Have not had a gf for over six or more years now, so being celibate is same old, same old. Nothing new about that LOL. Thanks for the note of caution, however.
)but I have a note of warning to anyone considering having kids: the more you care (and grow attached) to someone, the more it will hurt you, should they suffer. To sum it up, attachment leads to grief and sorrow. Nothing at the Monastery could compare with the distress of the past year or so, believe me. It was the Dhamma that got me through. 