Hairless once more

[Semi-Sly]

Well, some of you asked; so I will tell the story.

For a number of reasons, I need to learn how to meditate and I need to learn now!   My blood pressure is uncontrolled and I am at big risk of both a stroke and diabetes.  I take over 9 different medications but my general health still sucks!  My doctor hopes that meditation will help.

 I have also been a diligent member of a 12 step program for many years and that program requires that I exercise prayer and mediation.  And, of course I do not do it!

Unfortunatley I live way out in the blue collar suburbs.   There is NOTHING out here in the way of classes or sitting groups.  The nearest sitting group is a two hour drive in downtown chicago. 

Because of my need to learn to meditate I started looking a Buddhism.  Much to my surprise, I found that most of the precepts of Buddhism are the same as those in my 12 Step program!. 

  In Thai culture all men are expected to ordain as monks at least once in their life - even if only for a few days or weeks.  A man is just not a "man" unless he does this.  Thai law even forces employers to give their male employees three months off of work to ordain and do a Rains retreat once in their lives.  Through an incredible series of "happenstance"(?) I stumbled upon a monastery in the far North of Thailand that has a program for westerners.  Wat Sri Boonruang invites Westerners to come and retreat in the monastery to learn about Buddhism.  Those who wish to really commit to the practice are invited to take ordination as a novice monk and live as a regular member of the monastic community there for however long they are available.  There is a minimum 3 week requirement for those who wish to ordain.

I discussed this with my pastor.   He is big into meditation and neuroscience.  He sees no conflict with a committed Christian practicing Buddhist life principles.  Indeed, Buddhism does not even involve a belief in God.  To the Buddha, the concept of God or no God was irrelevant and not worthy of the time it takes to think aout it.

I turned 60 this year and this is the terminal age for temporary ordination in Thailand.  It was now or never.   So, I signed up for the adventure. 

Becoming a monk inovlves agreeing to live by the 10 precepts and also following the 72 rules for a novice monk.  It also inolves learning the cermonies and chants in  the ancient Pali language.  Monks only eat food that is put into their begging bowls in the morning.  They may only eat twice a day, both meals before noon.  Monks sleep on a simple board bed which is no more than 9 inches of of the ground and has no mattress.  Monks go out begging barefoot and bareheaded every morning, trusting that the community will support them in their practice and meditation.

And, of course, monks cannot have beards and must shave their heads.  In Thailand monks must also shave their eyebrows for ordination.  After that monks need only clipper shave their heads twice a month and shave their eyebrows once a month.

So,  I will try to attach a few pictures to this string.

The monks had no idea what to do with a full beard so they sent me of to a local barber to have that removed.

Then, using just some water and a bar of soap one of the monks made very short work of my hair and eyebrows.

[Semi-Sly]

Another photo

[Semi-Sly]

Another photo

[Semi-Sly]

Another photo

[Semi-Sly]

another photo

[tobler1]

Great photo essay.  I'm glad the experience was a meaningful one.

[SlyMike]

Great pictures, the last with the great building on the background is  best.  Thanks for sharing, did you get what you wanted from the retreat?

[Sir Harry]

Good stuff, Randy! Thanks for the pictures.

[baldjoeg]

Hi Randy,

Thanks for sharing your experience in Thailand and the pictures. I enjoyed seeing them. I hope that you can get your blood pressure and other health problems under control soon. Take care.

[TheSlyBear]

How amazing an experience this must have been for you. And I assume your journey is far from over. May it bring you what you seek.

[slybeard]

Thanks for the photos, and I hope your medical issues will benefit.

[Mike E. P.]

Randy, I'm sure that experience was amazing. How lucky that you got to do that. Now what?

[AJ Q-Ball]

I enjoyed the pics Randy and best of luck getting the health issues worked out!

[Hingatao]

That sounds like a great experience. I wanted to do that when I was in Thailand a few years ago but I couldn't make the time commitment.

[mike609]

Good luck in your journey.
I hope you find what you seek.