Choosing Love

Some people imagine that in order to live the same kind of life that a contemplative monk lives, one would have to become a renunciate in the literal sense – giving up one’s possessions, relationships and interaction with the world, and moving to some isolated monastery or hermitage. But the Widsom of the Desert Hermitage is located in the heart of historic Downtown Lancaster – just sixty miles from Philadelphia and 45 miles from the Pennsylvania capitol city of Harrisburg; yet the quality and tenor of my contemplative life is every bit as intact as when I lived on an ashram or in a monastery.

In the Christian scripture, particularly in the text attributed to Matthew, we read the disciples’ words, “We have left everything and followed you.”

Buddhist and Christian canon contain recommendations and admonishments by the wisdom teachers, Sakyamuni and Yeshua, which are usually interpreted as a prescription for a life of renunciation and detachment. Among the Desert Fathers, we read Abba Ammonas’ explanation, which sheds light on what Yeshua (Jesus) may have meant in Luke 12:24, when he is said to have taught, “Strive to enter through the narrow door; for many, O tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to…”:

“When Christ mentioned the narrow door, he meant controlling one’s thoughts and eliminating one’s ego-will, for the sake of Love.”

When we simply choose love over ego, then we encounter the sacred in ways never before possible. This is the true way of the monastic… the way of compassion.

It is for this reason that the Contemplative Monks of the Eightfold Path have, as their simple rule of life, adopted the rule of St. Romuald (founder of the Camaldolese Order of Benedictines), which says:

Sit in your cell as in paradise;
put the whole world behind you and forget it;
like a skilled angler on the lookout for a catch
keep a careful eye on your thoughts.

The path you follow is the Dharma of Compassion --
never abandon that path.

If you've come with a novice's enthusiasm and can't
accomplish what you want, take every chance you can find
to chant the sacred Mantra of Chenrezi:
OM MANI PADME HUM
in your heart; if your mind wanders as you chant
don't give up but hurry back and try again.

Above all realise that above all else, you are
in the presence of Divine Perfection;
you hold your heart there in wonder
as if before your sovereign.

You are that Sovereign, for it is written,
"The sovereign domain of the Enlightened One
is within you."

Empty yourself completely;
sit waiting, content with the gift of Silence,
like a little chick tasting and eating nothing
but what its mother brings.

With all your heart,
as the sun rises and sets each day:
Vow to do all you can to end the suffering of all beings;
Vow to uproot endless blind passions and attachments;
Vow to penetrate the Dharma Gates beyond measure;
Vow to realise your birthright as an Awakened and Anointed One
for the good of all sentient beings, and as a caretaker of all Creation.

This is a way of life each of us can adopt, wherever we are… without sacrificing our station in life, our relationships, our homes or work.

It is all about choosing to walk the path of the Dharma of Compassion. And it is our way.