Anatole, Tullia, and Pito spend some time in a monastery. What do you think of the abbot’s assertion that it is only through an ordinary and dull routine that true enlightenment can be achieved?
Is this where “sacrifice” is thought to build “character”? Personally, I don’t believe dull routine leads to enlightenment. Don’t we consider nature as anything but dull and it certainly lends itself to a enlightened life! Observing birds and other wildlife is not only enjoyable but it is also sustaining.
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I’m guessing the abbott meant that having a routine and a dull life gives you plenty of free time to seek enlightenment. I don’t agree with the good abbott, but maybe that was a tongue-in-cheek comment on today’s fast-paced lifestyle.
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I think the abbot is describing The Zen Approach, which warns against the unusual and dramatic experiences. Instead, it encourages attention to the ordinary, because the mind requires time, stillness and space in order to move toward enlightenment. That belief seems to be that distraction inhibits spiritual growth, while quiet engagement with the boring makes it much more likely. Although I do not fully agree with this, I understand how the many distractions of everyday life could interfere with the kind of enlightenment the monks were seeking.
agree that the Abbott thought a dull, routine life meant there was more time to seek enlightenment. If one was living in a fast paced, exciting manner, the mind might be too distracted to focus on spiritual growth that could lead to enlightenment. Perhaps he thought dullness was the fastest route to enlightenment.L
Self enlightenment, while important, if sought only by a “dull routine” is self defeating. It is important to seek and experience the wonders and complexities of the world in which we live whilst not losing track of our inner self, discover our foibles, and solidify our strengths. But never cease to learn what life teaches us. Never.
Once your routine becomes second-nature that you no longer have to think about it, your mind is free to wander to other things, and it is in this way that you can come up with great ideas or solutions to problems. I’ve experienced this many times in my life so I couldn’t agree more with abbot’s assertion.
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Lisa_R, What a great explanation, I was thinking of the Zen Approach. Well done. I am not in agreement with the viewpoint, but I do understand it.
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I like your response Holly. Especially the last part as being tongue in cheek on today’s lifestyle. Author has been around for awhile so perhaps he was simply stated a fact that most of us do not take the time to “smell the roses.”
It is certainly a valid point of view that the abbot had, even though it wouldn’t necessarily be something that everyone would agree with. Different people may have different ways of reaching enlightenment.