"Long Nights in Monasteries"

April 2013

"I've spent long nights in monasteries."

More than three years, in fact. 

I left the world, 

And became a monk, 

Because I had some things to work out. 

Now listen carefully - It's an 

Art 

Monastery, 

So it doesn't look like you think. 

There's no physical location. 

There's no man saying what you have to do. 

There's no bullshit Order or 

Dogmatic fanfare or just 

One sacred book. 

It's not like that. 

There are no rules, but you can help make them up. 

There is a vision, but it would be nice if you brought some ideas. 

There are no official robes, but I would bring some silly outfits just in case. 

You can visit. You can even join them, 

If you want. In my experience, 

They'll let you in so deeply and 

Love you so much 

You might not be able to come back. 

So be careful what you wish for. 

Be careful of Caterpillars, and 

Careful of dogs, and 

Careful of the Mama. 

Careful, careful, meaning 

Oh so 

Filled with care. 

Because there are other people there too - 

And you're not the only one being affected by this experience. 

What you say matters. 

What you do matters. 

What you think...it's important. 

I bet you have a lot of ideas about what an 

Art 

Monastery 

Could be. 

You should. 

We're counting on you. 

But remember that the people who have built it - 

Those who have already given their lives to it - 

They know too. 

They have LOTS of ideas 

And they've heard lots of ideas - 

And they know exactly what an art monastery is. 

Its so sweet, 

The way they listen to you, 

When deep in their hearts they already know

Exactly what it should feel like and sound like. 

The Art Monastery 

Tastes like tomatoes with salt, and 

Smells like coffee and garlic, and there are so many 

People and animals, and a surprising amount of 

Electronic dance music. 

The music, 

My god, the 

Music. 

There is also more  

Laughter 

Than you could possibly handle. 

And tears, at whatever meal you want. 

Theres usually a weird collection of 

Dogs 

And cats and chickens around. 

There are literally endless round table discussions, about 

Anything you can imagine. 

And there's music everywhere, all the time, and 

People with new ideas, 

Who are just trying and drawing and loving and leaving all over the place. 

They're transformation hosts over there, 

Which means a LOT of crazy, wonderful people come through. 

If you stay long enough, you get to love all of them. 

So when you go - 

Make sure you bring your whole self. 

And don't hold back. 

And jump, when its time, 

No matter how scary it is. 

My god, 

You just have to 

Go 

See the sun 

Rise like that 

Over those mountains. 

And you have to BE in some of those meetings 

Where you believe you actually can change the world.

And you have to FEEL the magnitude and weight of 

Mystery - of knowing that you are part of something 

So much bigger than yourself. 

It's outside your body, 

It's not just up to your one mind - 

We're doing this thing together, 

Don't forget. 

And don't forget to feed the dogs. 

And take the car in right away when the light comes on. 

And think ahead about when we need groceries 

Because if it's Sunday or Tuesday morning or Thursday afternoon 

And we're out of beer, 

We're totally screwed. 

And don't make her go alone to the post office. 

She could, 

But it's harder that way, and 

There's no reason to go alone. 

And make sure you say yes to scrambled eggs, every time. 

Try to say yes to everything. 

Try 

To love

As much as possible

Everything. 

Shit, man. 

What do I know. 

Probably things have changed a little bit over there. 

Best case scenario, really. 

People go on without you. 

I find such profound relief, and
Peace 

In that. 

In learning you don't have to do it all on your own. 

That's one of the things I learned at the monastery. 

In fact, 

That might be the reason I came. 

To know that. 

Cellularly. 

So, look, you'll have to figure it out in your own. 

You'll be fine. 

It's gonna be great. 

It doesn't look like you think it will. 

It didn't look like I thought it might. 

I don't know what I thought,

But in the end,

It's exactly what it's supposed to be. 

And the one thing I know for sure - 

It's the privilege of a lifetime,

To be in the Art Monastery with you. 

I'll always be...

Nowhere with you....