Monastic Life
“Monastic life” is different from other "religious orders" such as friars, regular canons, regular clerks, and more recent congregations. Both ways of living out the Christian life are regulated by the respective Church law of those Christian denominations that recognize it (e.g. the Roman Catholic Church, the Orthodox Church, the Anglican Church, or the Lutheran Church). While many people [who?] think of the Christian monastic life as "living in a religious community", its purpose is not always communal living with like-minded Christians. Rather, the purpose is many times perpetual training that is meant to help those Christians who feel called to dedicate their life to God. This is in accordance with the perfect example given by Jesus and following His exhortation to "be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect." (Gospel of Matthew 5:48)” … Wikipedia [1]
In the first century, some Christian people practiced ascetic life in the mountain to Holy Land. These people thought and believed that was the way that they could be close to God. This age was specially terrible for Christian people; their life was a time of persecution, in which the Roman Empire tried every means possible to eliminate Christianity from its limits. Many people were killed, and died as martyrs. Others preferred to separate from the World (lived as ascetic life) and gave rise to the monastic movement.
Monastic movements were not new, since other cultures and religions, practiced, and even today, remain part of their religious tradition. For example, Buddhism has a long tradition of monasticism. However, we can say that the primary characteristic of the movement in its origins Christian monasticism was separated from the world, living a life of contemplation and devotion to God. Later during the Middle Ages, monasticism saved (according to some authors) many writings Antigen that would otherwise be lost. For example, missionariescame to America and the rest of the world during the colonial expansion
The idea of separating the world is still present in many monasteries, but the movements have evolved to the present; many monasteries welcome the public in order to sell things they produce; others have retreat programs that address the spiritual support, and they help the community. There are also famous monks, for example Thomas Merton; he was an influential author and philosopher. For 27 years Merton lived at a well-known monastery in Kentucky and taught about monastic life to anyone who wanted to learn more about it .
He was a prodigious writer who wrote about the civil rights movement, no violence, peace, and nuclear arms race. He showed that a monk can get involved in social and political issues that surround him. In fact, is the religious point of view is necessary and relevant to today's world .It was a shame that he died relatively young, at maturity, but hopefully others will follow his example; we need people like him, who contemplate not only the world but also become involved in it.
Bibliography
1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monastery.
2. Unit 6 “Spiritual Renewal”. Page 131-132.
3. Notes Christian church history. Theology course taken by the author.
