Living like a monk involves a lifestyle that prioritizes simplicity, mindfulness, and gratitude. It emphasizes that happiness comes from within, rather than external circumstances or material possessions. This approach involves cultivating inner peace, equanimity, and compassion for oneself and others. The monk mind recognizes that happiness is something you cultivate within yourself, seeking growth, contribution, and connection.
A monk’s life is unique, and adopting practical ways to think like a monk can help you live a more meaningful and fulfilling life. Jay Shetty, a storyteller, podcaster, and social media influencer, shares his insights and experiences from years of living and studying as a monk to help people take practical steps based on these disciplines.
Some key life lessons learned from a monk include trying things three times before moving on and being mindful. Monasticism has roots in many cultures, and the unifying idea behind it is that through solitary, contemplative processes, an individual can seek meaning more effectively. By being mindful, fully present, and experiencing everything that comes your way, you can live like a monk too.
A typical day in a Buddhist monk’s life involves a fixed schedule, including a wake-up call at 4:30 am, one-hour meditation, walking barefoot, exercising, chanting meals, having breakfast, going to work, cultivating silence, being faithful to daily prayer, forming authentic community, making time for Lectio Divina, and practicing humility.
The art of monastic home living involves making work a prayer, loving those who share your circle, and studying Sacred Scripture and meditation on it. The life of a monk offers a journey within the self through meditation and prayer, disconnected from the worries of material life.
📹 I Lived as a Monk for 1 Year (here’s what happened)
—— Discover the transformative journey of embracing Tai Chi and Daoist philosophy amidst the serene Wudang Mountains.
What rules do monks live by?
In a monastery, monks are expected to remain until death, assuming various roles including those of kitchen workers and waiters. The monks are obliged to engage in manual work, study, and prayer, and to remain silent unless circumstances require them to speak. The abbot is expected to serve as a paternal figure within the community.
What do monks do all day?
Monks wake up each morning with calm minds, preparing for meditation and group chanting of Buddhist scriptures. They have time for personal reading, study, and walking within the monastery. Breakfast is served, and in some Buddhist traditions, like Theravada, monks offer alms to lay people, who make merit by offering them. Theravada monks receive whatever they have with love, faith, and devotion. Some monasteries cook food and donate it to volunteers, ensuring a balanced and fulfilling life.
Can monks watch TV?
The Vinaya prohibits the use of television and videos for entertainment by monks, except for certain circumstances. Luxurious items are not acceptable for monks as they can lead to attachment and envy, which is unwholesome Kamma. It is also unsuitable for an alms mendicant who lives on charity to inspire others. The Vinaya also prohibits the use and control over funds, such as bank notes or credit cards, by monks.
Monasteries are financially controlled by lay stewards who invite the Sangha to ask for what they need under the direction of the Abbot. A junior monk must ask an appointed agent to accept the stewards’ offer for dental treatment or medicine. This ensures that donations to the stewards are not wasted on unnecessary whims.
If a layperson wishes to give something to a particular monk but is uncertain about what they need, they should make an invitation to the stewards of the monastery, mentioning if it is for a particular item or the needs of a specific monk. For items like traveling expenses, money can be given to an accompanying anagarika or accompanying layperson, who can buy tickets, drinks, or other items for the monk. This exercise in mindfulness encourages the layperson to consider what items are necessary and offer them instead of money.
How many hours do monks sleep?
Typically, monks engage in six to seven hours of sleep per night. However, during Sesshins, this number decreases to four to five hours. Additionally, the monks have free time in the evening, which may affect their sleep patterns. Monks typically have a day and a half off during the week, from Sunday afternoon to Tuesday morning.
What is a monk mindset?
In Think Like A Monk, the author emphasizes the importance of adopting a monk mindset as it helps individuals connect with themselves and reduces distractions. The monk mindset is an antidote to loneliness, anxiety, stress, poor health, and relationship issues. By prioritizing practices that help individuals be more in tune with themselves, they can improve their overall lives.
One of the biggest hurdles for people in finding their purpose in life is over-focusing on their skills or passions. This can lead to a miserable life if they don’t enjoy their current profession. The sweet spot is finding the area where skills and passions overlap.
Roaming and structure are also crucial for living a fulfilling life. Jocko Willink, a retired Navy SEAL, believes that discipline equals freedom. By adopting structure and routine, individuals prioritize what is most important to them automatically and build it into their daily lives. This helps them tick off the things that will make the biggest impact in the long run, allowing them to be more creative and efficient.
In summary, adopting a monk mindset is not just possible but necessary in today’s world of distractions. By prioritizing practices that help individuals connect with themselves, focus on their passions, and maintain a healthy balance between their skills and passions, individuals can lead fulfilling lives.
What is everyday life like for a monk?
A monk’s daily routine in Southeast Asia involves a strict regimented lifestyle, with monks practicing meditation for one hour, followed by chanting. They walk barefoot around their neighborhood at 6 am, with locals offering them food. At 8 am, they return to the temple for breakfast, and before 12 noon, they have a light lunch. Monks, shaved-headed and dressed in saffron robes, are a traditional sight in the modern world. Their daily routine is surprisingly “normal” and free in some ways, with many different ways of living as there are temples.
Most Buddhist temples follow a routine, with the monks waking up at 4 am, meditating for one hour, and then chanting for another hour. This daily routine is a testament to the unique and traditional nature of Buddhism.
What mental issue does monk have?
Adrian Monk, portrayed by Tony Shalhoub, is the titular character in the USA Network television series Monk. He is a former homicide detective with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and multiple phobias, which worsened after his wife Trudy’s murder. Monk works as a private police homicide consultant and undergoes therapy to overcome his grief and control his phobias and disorder. The series co-creator David Hoberman based Monk partly on himself and other fictional detectives, including Lt.
Columbo, Hercule Poirot, and Sherlock Holmes. The network chose Shalhoub because he could bring the humor and passion of Monk to life. Both Monk and Shalhoub have received numerous accolades, including being included in Bravo’s list of The 100 Greatest Television Characters of All Time and winning multiple awards for his portrayal.
How to live life as a monk?
Benedictine monasticism emphasizes the importance of cultivating silence, being faithful to daily prayer, forming authentic community, making time for Lectio Divina, and practicing humility. St. Benedict emphasized the importance of silence as the environment for proper listening to God’s voice and those around us. To cultivate inner silence, one should avoid unnecessary noise and distractions, such as turning off music, radio, television, and internet use. This helps avoid sins of gossip or detraction, as St. Benedict echoed the wisdom found in the Book of Proverbs.
Being faithful to daily prayer is crucial, as it should be short and pure, unless prolonged under divine grace. This is especially important for those with busy schedules and responsibilities at home. Nevertheless, it is essential to find time in the morning to praise God and pray in thanksgiving before bed. The Liturgy of the Hours can help sanctify the day, particularly for Morning and Evening Prayer.
Developing a heartfelt attitude to God while praying is essential, as it allows one to offer brief prayers of trust in God. The aim of monks and all Christians is to pray without ceasing, and this can be achieved by keeping the memory of God alive in one’s heart and mind at every moment.
What is the monk way of life?
Hindus often choose the path of monasticism (Sannyasa) to attain their spiritual goal. Monastics commit to a life of simplicity, celibacy, detachment from worldly pursuits, and contemplation of God. They are called sanyāsī, sādhu, or swāmi, and are highly respected in Hindu society for their outward renunciation of selfishness and worldliness. Some monastics live in monasteries, while others wander, trusting in God alone for their physical needs. It is considered a meritorious act for a lay devotee to provide food or other necessities to a sādhu.
Sādhus are expected to treat all with respect and compassion, regardless of their status. They are typically recognized by their ochre-colored clothing, with Vaisnava monks shave their heads except for a small patch of hair on the back of the head, and Saivite monks letting their hair and beard grow uncut. A sādhu’s vow of renunciation typically forbids them from owning personal property, having contact with women, eating for pleasure, possessing or touching money or valuables, or maintaining personal relationships.
How do you stay like a monk?
Buddhism emphasizes activity, even if it’s just sitting motionless. Meditation is a discipline that must be experienced firsthand and cannot be fully grasped via reading or description alone. It is used as one of its strategies to achieve goals. A peaceful mind is better equipped to let go of and forgive hurtful memories. Buddhist teachings on how to be calm like a monk include mindfulness and meditation. Regular meditation can help acknowledge fear, wrath, and uncertainty, making it easier to recognize them as fleeting reactions to a transient event.
Buddhist monks’ research shows that meditation helps focus the mind in a quantifiable way, and adept in ‘one-point’ meditation, which entails focusing all of one’s attention on a single object or idea, can halt or even stop this switching.
Can monks drink alcohol?
Major religions worldwide prohibit alcohol consumption, often due to concerns about addiction, loss of wisdom, and negative outcomes. Buddhist monks condemn alcohol, while the Quran prohibits it. Hinduism, on the other hand, does not use alcohol in religious contexts but social drinking varies. However, the Catholic faith is inherently linked to alcohol consumption and creation. Jesus’s first miracle involved turning water into wine, which was consumed for celebrations.
Alcohol is also central to many important practices of the Catholic faith, such as taking communion with wine. Catholic monks across Europe continue the tradition of making alcohol at monasteries and abbeys, focusing on commercial sale and consumption. Travelers can taste different liquors, beers, and wines made by Catholic monks, each with a unique connection to the faith and history. For example, Chartreuse, a French liquor made by Carthusian monks for over 200 years, was originally intended to have medicinal properties but popularized for regular consumption.
📹 A Day in the Life of a Buddhist Monk – full of great self-isolation techniques
Say hello to Manapo. He’s a Buddhist Monk, and TrueTube followed him around with a camera to find out what he does all day.
Sending warm wishes for your onward journey!BTW – if you’d like to learn Tai Chi, Qi Gong and Taoist Philosophy with Master Gu, you can join his Free 4-Week Wellness Wisdom Course! ☯💪 Click the link to sign up 🫶👉 taoistwellness.online/free-course – Hey thanks for opening up this comment! I’d like to tell you more about the story of the Taoist Wellness Online, Master Gu’s Online Academy. How the Academy started is quite a funny story 🙈. We could never have imagined that today we are now the biggest Tai Chi school IN THE WORLD! It all began when I was 3 years into my journey living with Master Gu in his mountainous Tai Chi School. Master Gu is fluent in English and has always seen it as his life mission to share the healing Taoist arts of Tai Chi, Qi Gong and Meditation with the world. He shared with me his vision to create not only online courses, but an online Academy. I was excited by this vision and shared how I could use my filmmaking and inter-web skillz to make it happen. We then had a cup of tea and Master Gu sang Chinese opera while playing the guitar… 🤠☯ We are really proud of what we have built. We now are a 16-person team from 7 countries and we are on a mission to create films, communities and transformative education to help people and planet live in balance. The Online Academy is one of the best ways you can help us on our mission and you get so much learning! If you become a student of the online Academy, you get: – Access to 100+ hours of teaching with Master Gu, recorded with love from the heart of China.
As someone who lived as a Theravadan Buddhist monk for 6 years traveling to different meditation centers where no phones where allowed I am awed by the photography and filmography that you made. Even now as a creator on YouTube I can’t make anything even close to this 🙂 Storytelling is also engaging and feels like perusal a documentary! The place you went to reminds me of Plumvillage in France where laypeople can come and practice with the monastics for an extended time without ordaining. It’s a great experience for anyone wanting to see something different in life. Will be sure to look for more articles from you after viewing this masterpiece.
I came here after being burned out at work. It’s been 6 months since I started my journey back to myself, and I’ve lost 15 lb of weight to a much healthier eating habits and exercise, and I’ve mourned past traumas and gotten the perspective to see that and being sad about it without letting it overwhelm me (usually), and am now learning to embrace impermanence and how we don’t really “own” anything. I’ve gotten closer to God and am amazed at how I have had EXACTLY the right things to have heard from EXACTLY the right people in my life. The stuff I make at work is not “my baby” and it’s not “owning it” to make me successful. It’s a legacy I’m more interested in, as well as doing new and fun things! The journey is far from over, as I’m still alive.
Gorge, the key of live is stay keep in to the light ( postive in and out ). Please Pray to Lord or God first at that tample or other tample. Than you can follow the ancestor or Lords massager. Its wil change your live and bring you connect to the universe. Kungfu, Thaichi is to make you had better energy circulation and concentration. Meditation + pray before meditation and ask guidance at that temple’s ancestor is and will bring you find the key of live. keep in to the light of unconditional love inside you to bring outside.
Nothing happened, because you did it with the intention of making a article about it. People, let us stop perusal articles. (More importantly, let us stop making articles during moments that should be experienced with no ulterior motive.) Let us throw our computers, televisions and phones into the fire. Let us shout to the sky for God to reach down to us and give us the grace to make absolute change in our hearts and minds. Peace of Christ. Edit: I’m sorry for sounding harsh. It’s been an hour since I made the comment and I am tempted to delete it, but I don’t think I will. It comes from a place of frustration, seeing how every moment is captured on camera to be experienced later, rather than experiencing it now, fully. (And I’m speaking of modern people in general, not you specifically.) But I understand that you seek to share the beauty of what you’ve experienced to help people find peace. Anyway, thank you for desiring to make the world a better place.
Great article and story. Taoism is life changing. Of all the world’s religions and belief systems, it is possibly the most profound and accessible because it takes a person inward. The hardest part of it for westerners is first accepting and then through experience knowing that we are not the person we identify as. Through misinterpretation of their texts, Christianity, Islam and Judaism put “God” outside of a person but Taoism truly communicates from the beginning that “God” is within each of us. God is the internal, eternal Self and the way to know our true nature is to go within and peel the layers of the false self away to reveal who and what we really are. Taoism teaches the true value of struggle and when we flow with the Tao and accept what is rather than fight it through egotistical illusions of how things should or shouldn’t be, we become calm and capable of handling immense stress. It sounds like you’re on that journey. Being born a Westerner is a test and an opportunity to be thrown headfirst into the maelstrom of life. We never have to run from it once we understand the value of the experience for growth that it offers.
Living as a monk for a year just to post it online for attention and money kind of defeats the purpose of becoming one in the first place. (see the description for his academy, news letter, and courses.) Also, as with most of these “I tried this thing for a week: month: year.” trends. Those limits don’t carry with them a sufficient amount of experience that would warrant people making any valid claims, or useful commentary on the subjects outside of what’s overtly obvious to anyone looking in. Especially so, within this context.
George:) I am hoping you have a way I can get in touch with you other than social media. I could not find an email. I have a unique personal story of overcoming profound adversity, created over the last 6 years, that I know you would appreciate hearing, as you and Master Gu have played a part in it. It is just the kind of story that will provide you some wonderful validation for your efforts, as well as a possible feature on your website. Hope to be able to share with you. All the best, Doug Fairchild
Jesus is my peace and hope in the next life. He proved His faith by coming back from the dead. Now, bathe unbelievingly say” It’s made up”?? But the historical proof is impressive and credible. Anyway, enjoyed the article Rom 1:1 Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God, Rom 1:2 which he promised afore through his prophets in the holy scriptures, Rom 1:3 concerning his Son, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh, Rom 1:4 who was declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead; even Jesus Christ our Lord,
The problem with most interpretations of Buddhism or meditation is people think it is something they have to do or achieve in order to feel better. This is incorrect. That real wisdom of the Buddha was that consciousness and its contents are already here and fully open now and all you need to do is recognize this. Recognize that there is no “you” doing anything. Everything is just appearing all on its own.
Hi! Felt really inspired by your journey. This is something I’ve been dreaming to do myself ever since I was a kid. However when it comes to planning, I worry I may have not enough resourses to do it. I would love to hear from you how you managed to save up money to travel there and back and how you got in touch with your teacher that you knew where you would be staying and practicing tai chi. Thank you!
If I spend a year living like a monk, I guess the last thing I’d want to do is be involved in social media. It could mean either you had this intention from day one or you didn’t learn anything from solitude, self-reflection, and disconnecting from the distractions of the modern world. Although each individual’s journey is unique, this speaks volumes about the kind of society we are living in…
Brilliant stuff as always! I’ve been perusal since you first went to Wudang all those years ago, and it’s amazing to see your journey. I can totally see why the emporers of China attached such importance to mountains – I can say from my own experience in China that there really is something special about it. I hope I can finally make it back there some day soon and experience it again! Best wishes.
Wow! I gave it all up in the late 70’s and lived on a high mountain with very very old Taoists who fled communism. They embraced me and taught me the WAY back HOME. ALSO… Hsing I Chuan, Pa Kua Chang and a very ancient Tai Chi Chuan. I also learn very old Chinese Medicine. All this knowledge was saved here. ! Yes, you can go to the ” new” china today…. Yeah. Fake. When you kill all the old Monks, Priests, Holy Sisters…. Not much left dear tourists! So you can go to the theater that’s the ” NEW CHINA” …. But the real true OLD CHINA came HERE! To PENG LAI SHEN DAO ! this is solemn truth………. Two of my personal Masters left in LIGHT! True and thus. My/Our household Master stopped counting birthday after 200 years!!!! And that was a long time ago. So yeah! Hey! Dress up in costumes in communist new china! Pretend to be something destroyed in the Cultural Revolution. Here, on Sacred Peng Lai SHEN Tao we have the Ancient Essence. We can FIGHT with our Internal MA too.
Really love this article! It is amazing what you can learn from other cultures, practices, and people. This is really beautiful! What Master Gu said about the trees and the rivers being free to grow without perfection reminds me of a verse from the Bible, Matthew 6:25-31, which basically says the birds and flowers don’t worry about storing supplies or about how they look, yet they are fed and beautiful, and that we don’t need to worry about those things either because God loves us more than the birds and flowers. Not trying to force another philosophy in here, i just thought it was a neat comparison 🙂 I love the message at the end, flow well!
When thinking of China, I find myself struggling to understand how such a beautiful race of people have allowed the cloud of greed and corruption to keep them isolated from the world. The wealth of knowledge and the depth of spiritual awareness of the ancient Chinese people is almost incomprehensible. The fact that we can still learn these “pearls of Asian wisdom” is in itself a testament to the importance of such knowledge, the power to change the current trajectory in the present world. Thank you again George for taking the important exploratory steps to find your peace and sharing those steps with us. Against all Taoist precepts, I will go ahead and acknowledge my envy at not having done this myself, for I have certainly felt the call. Peace to you brother.
You have some incredible footage and this is an incredible production! Thank you for sharing your experience and the wisdom of daoism with the world. Daoism is a profound practice and I believe it can help many others in their life as it did for you. It has also changed my life in a profoundly positive way!
Dear George, First and foremost I must say that I deeply rejoice in your journey. I’m glad that you found a geniune spiritual path and a qualified teacher who can guide you. In this day and age that is very rare and I’m sure you’re well aware of how fortunate you are. A lot of the things you shared in this article resonate deeply with me. Myself, I’ve been living in North India for the last 8 years, studying and doing my best to practice the teachings of the wonderful masters of Tibetan Buddhism who live in this area. (Perhaps you should come and visit at some point while you’re in Asia. I’m sure you’d be very inspire in meeting your compatriot Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo, under whose roof I currently live). I do have a few questions though, regarding the title of the article and the traditions of Daoism. When you say that you lived like a “monk” what does that mean in Daoism? Are there monastic vows one has to take or is just referring to a style of life which is not focused on wordly concerns? How does one become a monk in the Daoist tradition and what is the difference between someone who is a monk and someone who isn’t? Thank you for sharing your journey so openly.
I did some TaiChi when I was in my early 20s, I always thought it was odd that people said it was for old people. I did MMA, but mostly Boxing to the point of amature fights. But TaiChi has helped me understand my body that helped me with boxing, It helps u understand how to lock your shoulders, how to align your back, it helps you understand your hips, balance, and breathing. think of it as a software update that can help u get better at fighting, or even walking.
bhayji😊🙏🏽what a beautyful story‼️… and the article is so great done – love perusal it! great cuts – great music! if you find the time – there’s an awesome yoga festival near Leipzig/Germany (cat&cow, jul3rd-7th) with like minded people – a beautyful atmosphere of love, peace and connection✨love, peace and joy for all being!💖🙏🏽
Our daily spiritual bread 🍞 69 When I am dwelling in dependence on a village or town, in the morning I dress, take my bowl and enter that village or town for alms. After the meal, when I have returned from the alms round, I enter a grove. I collect some grass or leaves that I find there into a pile and then sit down. Or sometime I sit on root of a tree or on trunk of an uprooted tree. Having folded my legs and straightened my body, I establish mindfulness in front of me. Then, secluded from sensual pleasures, secluded from unwholesome states, I dwell peaceful and mindful, while clearly comprehending and concentrated. Then I dwell pervading one quarter with a mind imbued with loving-kindness, likewise the second quarter, the third quarter, and the fourth quarter. Thus above, below, across, and everywhere, and to all as to myself, I dwell pervading the entire world with a mind imbued with loving-kindness, happiness, vast, exalted, measureless, without enmity, without ill will. I dwell pervading one quarter with a mind imbued with compassion, with a mind imbued with altruistic joy, with a mind imbued with equanimity, likewise the second quarter, the third quarter, and the fourth quarter. Thus above, below, across, and everywhere, and to all as to myself, I dwell pervading the entire world with a mind imbued with equanimity, vast, exalted, measureless, without enmity, without ill will. Then I understand thus: “I have abandoned greed, cut it off at the root, made it like a palm stump, obliterated it so that it is no more subject to future arising.
“There is an intelligence that animates this living planet, and it’s so mysterious that our brains struggle to grasp. Over time, Human beings have out labels on it. Christians call it “Gods Grace”, Muslim’s call it “Allah’s Will”, Hindu’s “Brahman” and Atheist’s “The Laws Of Nature”. The Taoist’s, they called it “The Dao”. This is an incredibly beautiful quote and very wise. Everyones trying to understand why we’re here, and what we’re here to do. Many paths, but the same intention.
I love this ❤ i watched your first article when it was made many years ago and it inspired me to start down a similar path to cope with the stresses of working in a hospital. I have a simple question, hopefully you see this message with all the messages you receive. But do you have a novel/book recommendation for explaining Dao? Do you plan on making more in depth articles with this as well? I love Masters shorts too, they are a strange adaptation of YouTube. But for my busy schedule they help bring me back to myself. So thank you.
Truly wonderful article. Beautiful, insightful, and inspiring! I urge the maker of this article or anyone perusal, who has been open enough to say “maybe I don’t have the answers” and were brave enough to seek them, whether it be through Daoism, Buddhism, Hindu etc- to also dedicate some time to learning about the reality of Jesus Christ. Look into His history, the arguments, the debates, come to your own conclusion but you might be surprised the wisdom you can gain from looking into the depths of Christianity with an open mind and heart. Cheers 🍻
Hi, just wanted to say I really enjoyed your article… Just stumbled onto your website and I appreciate your sharing a positive message… This world could surely use more positivity! I would absolutely love for an opportunity to go and learn and experience something like you were able to… How would one go about finding such an opportunity? Thank you again and much luv, to you and yours, from Northern Michigan! ☺️❤️
I’m very tempted to just finish university then retreat somewhere in the mountains… In my opinion, life is all about perspective. Learning and maybe even adhering the TAO, DAO, etc naturally helps in developing your perspective and horizons thus elevating yourself to a higher state of mind. To put it simply, all beliefs are a means to an end as all religions and ideologies put emphasis on meditation in some way or form (prayer for example). They are just guidelines or paths that lead to the same place. What that place may be – I don’t know, but I’m pretty sure it is a form of enlightenment.
Wow nice, I really hate modern China but the old almost destroyed Chinese Culture was super interesting and I’d love to experience something like that as well. And what time could have been better to do that than right in the middle of a Pandemic where everyone was stupiditly worried. Also not sure if its interesting or not but that Kanji Dao 道 in Japanese means Stree or Way …. I guess especially way fits very well
People are programmed robot slaves of the system thinking happyness starts with extern factors like status, money, material things that means nothing and its relativ and an illusion create by society. If your happyness depend on extern factors you will never be because extern factors are endless. Happyness starts inside you. The more people around you, the more expectations, talk about others, lying, frustrations, negativity, jealousy, double standards, own benefits, judging, comparing etc….. reflection of their broken souls. Alonr or in solitude you have more strength, peace, power, happyness, freedom and time. I change everything 10 years ago and have no tv, social media, relationship and am more happy then before. And no, i am not feeling superior or better then others but more be carefully and awake. Be the light in your life
YouTube has really pushed hard for to have a monk journey. I have been recommended lots of articles in the past few weeks, and honestly reading up on it sounds like something I should do. I have been learning lots from the Buddhist and Taoist philosophies, that’s has helped me better my day to day. Thanks for sharing this amazing article George.
This might not have anything to do with the article but I still want to share it with you George.. I just woke up and last night I have a dream and you were there. in the dream, I was trying to apply for an English teacher position.. they told me there will be a senior teacher who will evaluate you when doing a demo class with him.. I was nervous, until this teacher showed up, it was YOU! I told myself that’s George, a spiritual guy I follow on YouTube, he’s gotta be cool and not that strict.. you have a reputation of the perfect teacher who knows how to deal with every student but they also said you have some kind of illness I can’t tell exactly what is it but it’s similar to dyslexia.. despite that everyone at the school was talking about how of a great teacher you are.. so I jumped to my demo class with you.. the only thing o remember is that you super calm. that was it, I do believe that everything in this universe happens for a reason, doesn’t mean that I always know the reasons behind the things that happen with me.. I told myself it might mean that George is gonna be a great spiritual master in the future .. you can take it as a compliment as well because I appreciate what you’re doing and what you’re giving to the world through your own experience 😊
I have just discovered Daoism, and I am trying to immerse myself and dive deep. However….there are no temples or practitioners near me, and all the different schools and institutes I have called will not answer simple questions or help me decide my next steps without paying hundreds of dollars to meet with a master, or register for classes. Is there anyone you can recommend I connect with, so that I can have just a few simple questions answered and help guide me towards my next steps? Thank you in advance!
I want to preface this by saying I am an atheist. This article touched me, and I thank you so much for making it. It made me think that even though I don’t think there is any sort of god, I can still connect with myself and become one with nature. I do have one question though, someday when I save up enough money, I would love to go and stay in a temple or something of the sort to find my inner self, free from distraction and I was wondering how would I could find a place that would let me in and maybe teach me a thing or two about their religion? Again, thank you for making this article..
What a wonderful, uplifting and interesting article. Thank you for sharing this journey. I appreciate your honesty and openness as well as the wonderful camera work and beautiful places that you took us to. I spend little time on social media other than to watch Dhamma teachings on YouTube or to promote our temple and the Buddhas teachings, but will subscribe to your website as it spreads a message of harmony, peace and introspection which stands in harmony with my life as a Buddhist monk. ❤️🙏 I wish you happiness and every good thing in life. Enjoy your travels and continue to purify your heart, mind and body. Blessings. 😁❤️🙏☀️
A most fascinating article Mr Thompson. After witnessing the richness of Chinese culture in content like yours, it is quite tragic that the Chinese government. The CCP, desires its complete destruction. But after 58 years of trying to do so, it’s safe to say that traditional Chinese culture is not going anywhere. Especially with individuals like yourself and the good people of Wudang Mountain keeping its spirit alive and strong. As such, I wish you safe travels on your next visit, hope you have a wonderful time. And watch out for little pinks.
A week ago I decided to graduated high school early. I graduate in about two weeks and was considering living as a monk. I find it beautiful how this article came up almost randomly. From what I researched I can be a practicing christian and still integrate as you did. What I’m wondering is if I can still be a practicing Christian, and how I join a monastery? I appreciate any answers from anyone.
I’ve recently experienced the peacefulness and joy of the present moment through meditation and felt the pure love hidden within us for the first time. I hope to try the monk lifestyle in the future, and I truly believe that the ultimate or most absolute meaning we can derive from this world is to feel more and be conscious of it. Stepping out of modern society might reveal what life really is. Sending everyone who is reading this love and peace.
Wow George, this article is beautiful. It might just be the best one I have seen on your website and I was here perusal that first trip to China, when you desperately wanted to chase Kung Fu, but accidentally found Tai Chi instead! Been here ever since and watched you grow along your journey. It’s been surreal as a viewer too as you had so much anxiety in the beginning and look at you today! Well done! My journey has been similar. From atheist in my 20’s to now ticking those 3 “boxes” in my 30’s and living in connection with the universe (Tao) I feel very blessed. Really excited to see you back in China! I bet it feels like an age for you! Cannot wait <3
Thank you, George. Thank you for sharing this story. Your article came to me at the perfect time. For the last six months I have been studying Qigong, and as I juggled the classes with my job and all of my other obligations, my Qigong practice became a source of stress, when it used to be my refuge. You reminded me that it’s okay to feel anxious sometimes. But I tend to be very hard on myself in a sort of “you know better than this” self criticism. As your article showed, things happen in life. The road, the river, is not straight and I must bend with it. I hope that I will take this wisdom with me into my practice. To remember to be soft instead of trying so hard that I become rigid.
You know, George, I’ve been following you for the last many years. And perusal your journey also reminds me of my own, how life has changed. In a way, your website is the only constant in my chaotic life. Had I not discovered Taoism, i dont know what i would have resonated with. It calms down my borderline life and encourages me to accept the tides of life.
i had a really hard time around the covid time and had nothing to really focus on, everything stopped making sense and the people around me werent of any help, everyone had just become so filled with hatred rage and anger, i come across Daoism funnily enough through a retail shop that id never really noticed in a small town in a south east corner of london uk, and its been a focus of mine ever since, the chances that this article having come across on the feed i have i know is no coincidence, im going to be signing up to your news letters to get in touch, one of the things i want to do is find a mentor in china like you did to help train me.
Hi George, this is the first time I watch your article and I’m glad and touch for your deep love of and what you did to the traditional Chinese culture. I’m a MA student of the Academy of Sinology in Wales. I hope one day I can also tell more ancient Chinese culture to the world. And I’m surprise you are from Bristol, where I’ve been there for twice, a beautiful city. I think now you are in China? I’m also soon will return to China. Your film of the beautiful scenery arouse my deep miss to China. Can’t wait to go back!
Beautiful story george. I remember seeing one of your articles about Taoism for the first time. It completely changed my whole life.. went diving into Taoism but after that also Buddhism and hinduism, which let me eventually to my spiritual awakening. Thankyou sm for everyone you do george, you’re an amazing person who inspires me everyday ❤
I found your website a few weeks ago searching for introductions to tai chi and other martial arts, and your articles have helped me find so much inner peace and understanding of life as a journey, which can be easy to forget with all the noise from work, the news and social media. Excited for your upcoming travels and thanks for sharing such thoughtful and mind opening articles that can help change the world!
I cried throughout the whole article. It touched me very deeply. To me it feels like this place in the Chinese mountains is a powerful place of healing and peace, and offers knowledge as well as connection to the whole creation. I will certainly be perusal more of your journey. Blessings from Schurwald Forest, Germany. 🌲 🌲 🌲 💖