A Good Reason to
Join a Monastery
Many, many years ago a man was driving down a seldom used road - a road
less
traveled, if you will. His engine began making strange noises and finally
quit. He had passed a sign for a monastery about a half mile earlier so he
walked back to the monastery and knocked on the door. When one of the
monks
answerd the man said, "My car broke down about half a mile from here. Do
you
think I could stay here for the night?"
The monks graciously accepted him and fed him dinner. Later as a few
chatted
by the fire a couple of mechanically inclined monks slipped away, found
the
man's car and discovered it was easily fixed. They returned with the car
but
it was quite late so they invited him to stay the night.
The cot was not comfortable. Sleep was difficult and just as he was about
to
doze off he heard a strange and soulful sound, a sound unlike anything
he'd
ever heard. It was both spiritual and seductive. It brought to mind the
Sirens that nearly seduced Odysseus. (You may remember them as the girls
from "O Brother Where Art Thou?" who lured George Clooney's partners into
the river.)
He didn't sleep the rest of the night as he tried to figure out what made
such an alluring sound. The next morning he asked about it and was told,
"We're
sorry. We can't tell you. You're not a monk." He begged but they wouldn't
relent. Finally he thanked them for their kindnesses and rather sadly
drove
off.
The sound continued to haunt him. He couldn't get it out of his mind.
Years
later he returned to the monastery and again pleaded with the monks. Even
though his case was compelling the monks refused to yield. "Sorry," they
told him, " We can't tell you because you're not a monk."
Well, he said, "If the only way I can find out what is making that
beautiful
sound is to become a monk, please, tell me what I have to do."
The monks answer, "You must travel the earth until you have learned how
many
blades of grass there are and the exact number of grains of sand. When you
have completed what is necessary to determine these two things, you shall
be
a monk."
The man was determined to discover the answer. He had been searching for
the
source of the sound for so long. He couldn't fail. He searched doggedly
for
years. When he returned he was gray-haired and stooped. He knocked on the
door and was greeted by one of the few remaining monks who remembered him.
He was led to where all the monks were gathered. The man's quest had
become
legend within their community and they were eager to find out how he had
done. Some suspected he wouldn't have returned had he not been successful.
"In my quest to find out what makes that beautiful sound I have traveled
to
all parts of the world," he told them. "I have sought the wisdom of wise
men
and priests. My conclusion is that the world was created to be in a state
of
constant flux. Therefore, only the Creator of all things knows what you
ask.'
"All a man can know for certain is himself. He won't discover that unless
he
strips away all illusion. Only then is he able to reflect on his true
nature
and purpose. Only then can he truly love himself and others. Without
illusions he can be honest."
The monks nodded. "Congratulations." said the eldest, "You have learned
well
and done more than was asked. You have earned the right to be a monk." He
was given a robe. The head monk spoke again. "We will lead you to the
source
of the sacred sound. The answer you have sought these many long years will
finally be yours."
He was led down a long dark tunnel. They came to a large wooden door to
which he was given a key. He opened the door and found a door made of
stone.
With the key to the stone door he entered and found himself in a small
room
with yet another door. This door was made of ruby. The monks encouraged
him
to keep going. He continued until he had opened doors of emerald, pearl,
and
diamonds.
When he found himself facing a door made of solid gold he was told, "The
answer you have sought all these many years lies just beyond that door."
His heart was pounding, his hands sweating. He had never before been so
filled with anticipation. With trembling hands he unlocked the gold door.
Upon entering the room he fell to his knees. He was absolutely amazed when
he discovered the source of that haunting and seductive sound . But I
can't
tell you what it was because you're not a monk.
For those of you who would like to beat me to a pulp right now, you'll
have
to wait. I left town this morning. You don't think I'd write this and then
stick around, do you?
~By BOB CUSHMAN
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