A trip to the "retreat"

As you guys have probably figured out by now, I am not a religious person. However, that doesn't stop me from visiting the retreat of Vedanta Society in Arlington, WA. It is a monastery and a retreat in like 20 acres of woods. One of the monks is an avid gardener, so he has planted lots of veggies and fruits along with flowers. Another attraction for me is dogs! There are four dogs who frequent the place. They are big ones like Labs and stuff so I love being with them.

Mao and Mega Mao at the retreat

What do you see when you think of monks? People clad in saffron robes? Buddhist monks with shaved heads? Would someone in jeans, sweatshirt, boots and gardening gloves, looking like a farmer from the mid-west remind you of a monk? Probably not! But that's how those people are over there! They will make you re-think about the description. However, if you visit the tiny log cabin in which one of them lives (he is living there for the last 26 years) and see their frugal possessions, see how they don't complain about anything in life, how they eat everything that is served to them without judging, without saying what they like and find out the depth of their conversations, then you'll know why they are monks.

Truly, they have realized the teachings of Swami-ji - "the sky thy roof, the grass thy bed and food what chance may bring". Don't get me wrong though - they are very friendly people, they talk with visitors a LOT, show everyone around their place, laugh and crack jokes. They are not like the far-off reclusive people we see in the Himalayas.

When it comes to religious philosophy, I am very picky and choosy. I don't like people who show-off their religious practices, I shun rituals of all sorts (and I mentally shun people who follow rituals). If a monk shows off how good a monk he is, that takes points off his spiritual advancement. I don't even want to talk about those religious "leaders" who are basking in wealth. They should be locked in prisons. They are worse than regular criminals I'd say. Anyway, coming back to monks, even if they are good at heart, if they still can't get over collecting items, or are afraid of things still, that means they have a lot to work on now.

I like people who think and know what they are doing (and why they are doing so). Who have soared up above clannishness, are hard working and enthusiastic about new ideas, friendly and have realized how little we really need for ourselves - are the ones I truly respect and admire.

I can say for sure that Swami-ji would have loved to meet these two great souls down in Arlington!

Buddy and I relaxing on a peaceful afternoon

PS: I don't like to go there during Durga Puja. Even though I love being with people, too much cacophony at such a peaceful resort is not my friend.