Monastic Routine
To some extent, the spiritual path of each person will be different and is developed in consultation with the spiritual director. The four yogas – karma yoga, bhakti yoga, jñāna yoga, and rāja yoga, that is, the yogas of action, devotion, knowledge, and meditation – are combined according to each person’s temperament. In general, we learn to work with full attention but with detachment, to worship and pray to God with devotion, to study, discuss, and meditate on the scriptures, to affirm our true nature as the Self, the light of pure consciousness in which all experiences arise and settle, and to spend time each day in meditation, striving to directly realize the spiritual truths we have studied.
Our daily monastic life mainly consists of working for the community, meditating, and studying (individual study and participation in classes at the Centre). Our work is varied and includes household tasks such as cooking and cleaning, maintenance, gardening, temple rituals, and caring for visitors and guests. We also carry out office and computer work. After spending sufficient time here and becoming familiar with the philosophy, it is possible to get involved in writing, editing, and public communication. We serve the public by sharing the teachings of Vedānta and by serving God in the form of the many visitors who come here.
Our daily monastic life mainly consists of working for the community, meditating, and studying (individual study and participation in classes at the Centre). Our work is varied and includes household tasks such as cooking and cleaning, maintenance, gardening, temple rituals, and caring for visitors and guests. We also carry out office and computer work. After spending sufficient time here and becoming familiar with the philosophy, it is possible to get involved in writing, editing, and public communication. We serve the public by sharing the teachings of Vedānta and by serving God in the form of the many visitors who come here.
Conditions for Becoming a Monk
Candidates must be between 18 and 35 years old. The reason for this age limit is that the rigors of community life require someone younger, better able to adapt physically and psychologically. At present, the Vedantic Centre in Gretz accepts only men for full monastic training, but women who wish to embrace the monastic life are also welcome. The spiritual director will guide them on the path they have chosen. The training for women at Vedantic centres that can accommodate them is the same as that given to men, with the same capacities and responsibilities.
Candidates must have at least a high school diploma, be in good health, and undergo a medical examination. Six months of celibacy and abstinence from alcohol and drugs are required before entering the monastery, and candidates must have no debts. The decision to enter monastic life should not be taken lightly. It is not an easy lifestyle. The qualities needed to succeed in spiritual life are similar to those needed in any other field: determination, perseverance, and patience with oneself and others. The experience of community life has been compared to stones tumbling together in a drum. Eventually, a beautiful polished surface is achieved! Four elements are essential in monastic life:
- devotion to higher ideals
- renunciation of a pleasure-oriented life
- moderation, self-control, and patience
- spirit of service
Candidates must have at least a high school diploma, be in good health, and undergo a medical examination. Six months of celibacy and abstinence from alcohol and drugs are required before entering the monastery, and candidates must have no debts. The decision to enter monastic life should not be taken lightly. It is not an easy lifestyle. The qualities needed to succeed in spiritual life are similar to those needed in any other field: determination, perseverance, and patience with oneself and others. The experience of community life has been compared to stones tumbling together in a drum. Eventually, a beautiful polished surface is achieved! Four elements are essential in monastic life:
- devotion to higher ideals
- renunciation of a pleasure-oriented life
- moderation, self-control, and patience
- spirit of service
Stages of Monastic Life
Monastic life includes several stages. The first year is the pre-probationary period. During this time, the Vedantic Centre provides room and board in exchange for the candidate’s service; however, personal, clothing, and medical expenses are not covered by the Centre.
The next stage is the probationary period, which lasts a minimum of four years. From this point on, the Vedantic Centre covers living and necessary medical expenses. At the end of this period, if the head of the Centre considers the candidate ready, one may take the first vows, called brahmacharya vows (provisional vows of a dedicated student). Training must then continue for at least four more years before the candidate can be considered eligible for final sannyas vows (complete renunciation), making a total of nine years from the initial pre-probation. The period is sometimes longer.
We recommend that those interested in monastic life visit the Vedantic Centre regularly to learn more about Vedānta and to get to know the people who live there. This also allows the spiritual director and other community members to get to know them. Then, if monastic life still seems attractive, they can discuss it with the head of the Centre.
The First Motivation for Choosing Monastic Life
For some, the decision to lead a monastic life comes slowly and with much reflection. For others, it may come quickly, as a clear and compelling decision. The way it comes and how quickly it comes do not matter. What drives the decision is the desire for spiritual transformation. When that desire is stronger than the desire for professional success, family life, human relationships, or possessions, then one may have the necessary motivation for monastic life.
This desire generally arises when one finds ordinary life insufficient and is drawn toward spiritual development. One must then test oneself to see whether the desire is lasting. A temporary disappointment in life is not enough, because with time, one adapts to circumstances and the former lifestyle may become attractive again.
If one feels the need to leave behind other pursuits and focus on spiritual growth, one may try monastic life if it seems appealing. Often, it is only by trying it that one knows for sure whether or not it is the right path. This is why we have a nine-year training period before final vows: it gives enough time to see whether the motivation is enduring.
We conclude with this call from Swami Vivekananda to Miss Margaret Noble of Ireland, who eventually became his monastic disciple and dedicated her life to his work in India. But this is really a call to all who are inspired by the monastic ideal of Vedānta — an ideal not rooted in sorrow or defeat, but a heroic one:
“Who will give the light to the world? Sacrifice has been the law of the past, and it will be, alas, the law of the future. The most courageous and the best of the earth will have to sacrifice themselves for the good of many, for the welfare of all. Hundreds of Buddhas are needed, full of eternal love and compassion. The religions of the world have become lifeless mockeries. What the world needs is character. The world needs those whose lives are a burning, selfless love. That love will make every word sound like thunder... Bold words and even bolder deeds, that is what we need. Arise, arise, great ones! The world is burning in misery. Can you sleep? Let us call again and again until the sleeping gods awake, until the God within us responds to the call. What else is there in life? ... Arise, awake!”
Serious inquiries about monastic life can be sent to: contact@centre-vedantique.fr
This desire generally arises when one finds ordinary life insufficient and is drawn toward spiritual development. One must then test oneself to see whether the desire is lasting. A temporary disappointment in life is not enough, because with time, one adapts to circumstances and the former lifestyle may become attractive again.
If one feels the need to leave behind other pursuits and focus on spiritual growth, one may try monastic life if it seems appealing. Often, it is only by trying it that one knows for sure whether or not it is the right path. This is why we have a nine-year training period before final vows: it gives enough time to see whether the motivation is enduring.
We conclude with this call from Swami Vivekananda to Miss Margaret Noble of Ireland, who eventually became his monastic disciple and dedicated her life to his work in India. But this is really a call to all who are inspired by the monastic ideal of Vedānta — an ideal not rooted in sorrow or defeat, but a heroic one:
“Who will give the light to the world? Sacrifice has been the law of the past, and it will be, alas, the law of the future. The most courageous and the best of the earth will have to sacrifice themselves for the good of many, for the welfare of all. Hundreds of Buddhas are needed, full of eternal love and compassion. The religions of the world have become lifeless mockeries. What the world needs is character. The world needs those whose lives are a burning, selfless love. That love will make every word sound like thunder... Bold words and even bolder deeds, that is what we need. Arise, arise, great ones! The world is burning in misery. Can you sleep? Let us call again and again until the sleeping gods awake, until the God within us responds to the call. What else is there in life? ... Arise, awake!”
Serious inquiries about monastic life can be sent to: contact@centre-vedantique.fr