I've been a monk for 2 years AMA

[Cathal]

Hi guys not sure if this is of interest I recently saw Leo Guras face and was reminded of almost 5 years ago my first awakening experience through DMT and a few other psychedelics, although i havent used psychedliecs in years. I haven't posted here in years. 

Since then I have been very interested in meditation, I especially found the teachings of the Buddha interesting. 2 years ago I ordained as a monk in Thailand. If anyone is interested in asking me something go ahead but im not really a teacher or consider myself a guide in any sense.

This community was really helpful for me, around that time I had a lot of mental unbalance and no support structure. Its always comforting to know how many of us are out there following the truth. 

[Natasha Tori Maru]

Hello Cathal! Tell us about your daily life, have you enjoyed becoming a monk? 

I meditate daily. It has been my top practice I have gained the most benefit from 🌱

[JosephKnecht]

Can you describe your average day? What you eat, what you do, etc.

[Lyubov]

That’s really cool. Do you see yourself living in Thailand at a monastery for a long time or do you want to pick up a place in society as a normie again? What are some intentions/goals or interests of yours now? When you got ordained did you basically set aside everything else and now only wish to focus on meditation and monk life things? 

[Cathal]

@JosephKnecht Most monasteries will eat once in the morning, or twice, but not after the noon, we do once around 8:30, wake up about 3. Have to walk down fron the kuti (hut) takes a bit.

I take the bowl and go on alms in the village around 6-7 with a few other monks, anything goes. From nescafe lattes to pickled catfish eyes, not sure what the hell is gonna be in that bowl, mostly rice though. 

There is what is called panna in the afternoon, best translated as monks tea time. There's not much to the monk life. Ideally lots of practice. Letting go.. healing, learning to be OK. What a practice

[Cathal]

@Lyubov I always had the intention to overcome my selfishness and to be of service to Life, capital L so I have been focused on that for a few years getting my shit together. I have become quite chill, but normal society and such, I think it would still sweep me away into my old habits so ill probably stick to this lifestyle for as long as it feels right. Not sure 

[Leo Gura]

Nice! Welcome back.

Good to see you doing something serious and proactive.

Edited yesterday at 12:01 PM by Leo Gura

[Magnanimous]

@Cathal

I'm pretty sure satori and samahdi are two different things.

I know it's ultimately impossible to explain because of the mind, but if there are differences in the way the two feel, what are they?

Also how does present moment awareness positively benefit socialising if it does? Studying Eckhart Tolle and present moment teachings right now and I know prescence can boost work performance

[emptiness dancing]

Which part of Thailand are you in? How's the weather?

[Phil King]

How many hours of dedicated spiritual practice like meditation did you do per day on average ?

[Eskilon]

How many monks achieved the Turiya state(pure consciousness) in your community?

Did you witness a monk awakening in your community? If so, how was it？

Edited yesterday at 02:07 PM by Eskilon

[UnbornTao]

What insights have you had? How do you deal with boredom, given that you may have developed some ability to control your mind? Can you find happiness in ordinary moments and experiences?

Have you contemplated pain?

How do you see mental activity as the precursor to certain forms of suffering?

[AION]

What kind of meditations were you doing? How long? And how many intervals?

[Sincerity]

Hi, great to have you! 

1. How do you look back on DMT and your awakenings on psychedelics?
2. What caught your eye in the Buddha's teachings? What interested you the most?
3. What school of buddhism do they teach at your monastery? Why did you choose that particular one?
4. What are the greatest developments that you observe in yourself after these 2 years?
5. How old are you approximately, and what was your profession before turning into a monk? Just to get some context about your journey.

Cheers  

Edited 21 hours ago by Sincerity

[Spiral Wizard]

What's your usual day to day structure and what technques did you train in? Mahasi Vipassana, Jhanas, something else, etc. ? 

[Yimpa]

Are the robes comfy, and most importantly, do they have pockets??

[Husseinisdoingfine]

That is beautiful.

I have been involved in a Buddhist order for quite a while, doing retreats here and there but then going back to my regular life.

I do intend to become a monk for a year or two, eventually.

Any advice before I do this? What books should I read? 

Did you attain anything? As in enlightenment. 

[Rigel]

How do you like the feeling of wind on your head?

[Sandroew]

Very, very cool!

1. Are you happy / satisfied / fulfilled in your day to day life? I’d imagine not every day is the same, but generally?

2. How is your access to the internet? Can you use it any day when you want? How often? How long? Do you even feel the need to be on the internet?

3. Having experienced life with and without modern technology, what would you tell us about it?

4. I’d find anything interesting that you’d have to say about spiritual/mystical experiences

[OBEler]

@Cathal Wow, I have a lot of respect for you. Welcome back! 

Did you get any mystical experiences?