Guide to Getting Monk’d: Healing the Mind, Body, and Soul

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Life is simple. We are the ones who make it so darn complicated. There are many truths in the world, and most of them are quite simple. In our fear and insecurities, we create complex perspectives that make life much more difficult and enduring. In fact, life, despite all the perceived negatives, is quite fun and easy.

We become caught up in the newest technologies that drive us further away from natural tendencies. Admit it! I often get lost in the mundane iPhone apps or the next tech craze. But it never brings true happiness. Monks who live simplistic, minimalist lives often find more peace and love in their lives.  How does that work out?

What’s in a Monk?

Many see a monk as an isolated priest that lives in the mountains, praying and meditating for hours a day. Sure there are plenty of those. But in this new age of technology, growth and humanism, this term “monk” has evolved to a new definition.

A monk can be defined as someone who practices abstinence from unhealthy things, while living alone or with other like-minded monks. A tribe of monks can connect through a single purpose driving them usually for the betterment of self and mankind.

Now I am not expecting you to build a straw hut and wear robes all day. You don’t even have to shave your head and sit in the lotus position. But I may encourage you to meditate…

while skydiving.

Get Monk’d!!!

We all should be monks at some level. We should learn to let go of all the things that are not in our best interest. No matter who you are, there is probably something in your life that does not serve you. Sometimes we enjoy a lil extra candy bar or tub of ice cream. Some of us still smoke and curse away. I have no judgments, so do what you must.

Getting Monk’d simply means living in awareness. Monks live in awareness. They live in constant evolution. They take the time to understand their fears and how they manifest them in real life. They find peace in the chaos. They know and live simple.

In this growing world, there are many things that will distract us. We are easily caught in a manufactured, fluorescent world. There are many, many hours I have wasted staring blankly at ESPN News for hours, watching the same highlights and the same commentary.  These machines can drown our spirit to thrive. Instead they numb us from the pains and weights we carry.

But I will not shun technology and human advancement. There are some amazing new tools, toys, and tricks that are available and they all have unique and valuable uses. Advances in science and education have brought new forms of art and expression. These are beautiful things that should be treasured. There is no need to run from technology. In fact, we must embrace it. However we must not allow it to consume us into brain dead and zombies.

The new evolved monks can appreciate the growing world around them, but yet still maintain a simplistic manner of living. They will become aware of their weaknesses and turn them into strengths. They learn to use the tools, but do not become dependant of them. They enjoy life’s extravagant pleasures, but never forget that they can easily be found in the simple things. They know when to have fun and be silly. They know when to focus and become determined. They know what gives them strength and what weakens them.

I have learned… I am nothing if not my health. Many of us assume we have our health until the fateful day where our lives are forever changed by a heart attack, trauma, or virus. The most powerful of men have been reduced to squabbling babies in illness and disease. Sickness keeps us humble, but can easily break our spirits.

But if we have optimum health, we are able to free ourselves from this rat race of humanity. This foundation of health creates a powerful, beautifully charged life. Good health is most critical. If we find complete health, we shall be free to truly enjoy and live life.  Please don’t make the mistake I did. Health doesn’t just mean physical health. I have learned it is so much more.

Getting Monk’d simply means living healthy. In this new monk perspective, health is the complete health of mind, body, and soul. For many years, doctors and scientists have contemplated the each entity as separate. But as new technology and scientific research advances, we are seeing how science and spirituality are very similar. The terms and lingo may be different, but they are different routes to the same conclusion.

The mind, body and soul are interconnected. They can work independently, but are part of and affect the whole. One can dominate the other, but it always results in sickness or illness. If the mind is strong but the body and soul is weak, you will wither away.  If your spirit is strong, but your mind is malnourished… you will suffer. All three must be health and vibrant.

Why Complete Health?

Getting Monk’d simply means finding balance. Once I have begun balancing my mind, body, and soul, my life became more peaceful and purposefully driven. Life became easier. We are at our best when we have mind, body, and soul health. When achieving this balance, we are at our strongest, most powerful, and happiest.

By working together, the mind, body and soul will be able to compensate each other. Often times there are sickness that is beyond our capabilities of healing. In these cases, the others parts of your whole can magnify and rebalance the interconnection. But for this to occur, we must continually foster our health to peak optimums.

The Mind

The Mind may prove most complicated of the three. The Mind is often chaotic and varies in personalities. Suppressed emotions and negative thoughts poison our frail human minds into mental relapses. Some of us are quick in temper. Others of us are best at playing the victim.

The Mind creates the perspective and views on reality. It colors it with joy and happiness, but it can also sour life with nightmares and trauma. An unhealthy mind will never be aware of oneself and one’s surroundings. Not only do you lose touch with reality, you also lose touch with yourself.

In fear, we often repress our underlying issues that prevent mental health. These become tuck away in our subconscious, forgotten to our day to day worlds. But their ugly presence always rears when we are at our weakest.

Therapy is a wonderful way to understand your Mind from another’s perspective. With this professional guidance, you will be able to not only find and also defeat your demons. A good therapist will provide opportunities for your Mind to uncover your weaknesses and fear. A therapist will help you change your thoughts and thus your behavior and actions.

A healthy Mind is active. It questions in search of true answers. You will need to further your mind through different forms of education. Learn through the arts. Study the human mind. Read poetic prose. Dazzle the Mind with brilliant displays of creative grandeur. Educate yourself. Set your Mind free by knowing what is possible, not what is self-limited.

Some ideas to give you a good start:

1.    Visit a local museum.
2.    Study the story, dialogue, and plot of your favorite movie.
3.    Take a community college course of your interest.
4.    Watch documentaries.
5.    Create new inventions.

The Body

Doctors and scientists are supposed to know the answers to our physical health. They should know what is wrong and how to fix it. But unfortunately, science cannot provide all the answers yet. Unfounded theories and guessing games in medicine have proven to be quite lethal. However, the knowledge we have established have saved millions of lives.

We must know our bodies inside and out. We should monitor our bodies with routine checkups. Establish a relationship with your doctor. Learn to trust each other. It will be important to get blood tests to see your different chemical and hormonal levels. If working with a therapist or treatment team, a physician would prove most valuable. As your Mind improves, so shall your health. The Mind and the Body interact with each other. Ailments can be created by the Mind and manifest themselves in the Body. Likewise, injury to the Body can affect the Soul and the Mind.

Discover what allergies you may have. Understand your illness and disease. Though there may not be immediate answers, you may find tips and tools to help manage a healthy lifestyle. Know how your body reacts to different stimuli, both internal and external.

Build your physical strength. Exercise your muscles. Allow weight training to gain muscular mass. Take long walks, runs, or hikes to strengthen your lung muscles. Build your endurance so that your Body can function at a high constant level. A trainer would be an excellent way to start, however everyone can build their own exercise routine with a bit of creativity and research.

Fuel your body with an appropriate and balanced diet. Each person has different nutritional needs. Your doctor or your nutritionist can assist you with your daily diet as well as supplements that will bring the Body back to healthy levels. Some of us love the salty snacks. Others love the sweet treats. I am not saying we have to rid ourselves from them. Perhaps a healthy balance would be best. 

Find new, fun and engaging ways to strengthen your Body:

1.    Take a vegetarian cooking class.
2.    Go on picturesque hikes.
3.    Try sports such as rock climbing, surfing, and basketball.
4.    Get massages and body work to relax the muscles.
5.    Study a martial art.

The Soul

The Spirit is an important but often neglected part of our whole. Spirituality is difficult for most to define. In fact there is not one single definition that can help you understand this concept. Spirituality is the combination of thought, feeling, and action. It’s a way of living. It’s a way of thinking. It’s a way of behaving.

Spirituality is the bridge from the known and the unknown. It is how we humans connect what is comfortable to what is fearful. All of us, at some level pursues happiness. We are driven in different ways with different tools to find this elusive happiness. And as our personalities differ, our ideas of achieving happiness and peace will also differ. Some are happy and at peace with a small family in a white picket fenced cottage. Others are driven to change the world.  It takes all sorts to complete this universe. So spirituality shifts from person to person.

Some need the structure such as religion. Others prefer nature and a picnic. Some enjoy the peace and calm by a river bed. Others prefer to white water raft. Feed your Soul.

An unhealthy soul will empty you of any joy that can be found in life. It can bring the shadows the most beautiful sunny day. It will color life with gray and clouds, though your Mind and Body craves for light. Nothing will be interesting. Nothing will bring smiles. Anger and violence erupt with greater ease. Hatred is all that is seen in reflections.

When you establish a healthy Soul, you will understand your fears and separate yourself from the fears of others. You will allow constant evolution, become better and better in every moment. You will be aware of your surroundings and also your internal world. With this, you will be able to not react out of fear, but act in love. You will feel what is best and follow your instincts. You will help change the Mind and heal the Body.

You will no longer allow fear to consume you. You will know that everything is a gift. You just have to change your perspective.

A spiritual advisor or mentor would be wonderful to find. Find someone you trust and connect with. Find practitioners such as life coaches and spiritual therapists who are more concerned with your growth than bank account. Friends, family and church leaders are often great sources of spiritual guidance. Humbleness and love are important criteria, so make sure your advisor has just that. 

But you can find this spiritual health on your own. You just need to educate yourself and commit to evolution. Visit spiritual centers. Explore different religions and cultures.

Spirituality has become a huge wave. MonkMe believes that spirituality is our future. We are all about to become enlightened. Read about old ancient wisdoms as they still apply today. Practice living in simplicity and honesty. Be mindful and aware. Express yourself.

Some Soul loving activities:

1.    Meditation – Yoga
2.    Create Art – Paint, sculpt, photograph, write
3.    Volunteer and work in charity
4.    Outdoor activities – Gardening, hiking, nature walks
5.    Learn a musical instrument - Sing

Join the Monkdom

Getting Monk’d  is as fun as it is reflective. As we become healthier in Mind, Body, and Soul, we are able to evolve. When become free from the typical human flaws and weaknesses, we will be able to connect out of love. Then we can share our resources so that everyone can have all that they ever need and most of the time want.

Getting Monk’d allows you to join a league of others driven for the same purpose. We have already started to band together to pool our strengths and minimize our weaknesses. We have begun to share the financial and material resources to those less fortunate.

After all, in our Monkdom we can change the world.

Are you in?

Wanna get Monk’d?

written by guru2be, 01.29.10

I'll be a Monk!

This article makes sense. Body health is easiest for me. But the Mind and especially the Soul is not easy for me at all. Our society doesn't focus on this as much. And I don't really know what to do.

But the article makes a good point. It's not as complicated as it seems. But I bet it's hard to actually do it in real life. Any pointers?

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