Tell me about the Monastic Life

There are different orders (Dominican, Franciscan, Benedictine, etc.) so there are different rules and lifestyles. I will allow someone with more knowledge on this to answer you.

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d0c markus said:

Is it possible to go spend some time with some monks? While i may disagree theologically I think it would be theraputic to go spend some time among thier ranks.

Are they away from technology and that kinda stuff?

Thanks,
Mark

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I'm sure some others like Rising_Suns would probably be able to go into better detail about the specifics, but some allow visitors and guests from all walks of life.

Since a Catholic life revolves around the mass and communion, I'm really not sure how one who was not Catholic could be "among their ranks" though and have that work out. Outside of being a visitor or guest, I believe that they allow people to be with them at the monastery for a few years if they are trying to determine if they are called and prepared for the monastic life.

I've always thought about how healthy is would be more me to be at a monastery for an extended period of time, but from the impression I have, it is for those looking into making that their life's 'work'.

Hiya Mark!
Many monastries have guest houses, where people can go and share their life, to a certain extent, certainly join in the prayer of the community. This link is to a monastry near-ish to me and gives you a bit more detail about their lives. (Click on "The Monks" link on the left of the home page for more details)
Cat
http://www.caldey-island.co.uk/

Here are some places that I found that invite guests...
http://www.ogdencvb.org/monk.html

http://www.christdesert.org/noframes/guest/introduction.html

New Melleray Abbey in Dubuque, Iowa is a Cistercian Monastery that does have an associates program that would permit you to live and work there with the monks for some weeks, I believe.

Check out http://www.newmelleray.org/

BTW, Dominicans and Franciscans are friars, not monks.

Patriarch

d0c markus said:

whats the difference between a monk and a friar? Also anyone know of any monistaries in ohio?

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Monks' (e.g. Benedictines, Carthusians, etc) lives are (basically) completely within their monastery.

Friars have what the monks have but also work outside the monastery, usually most of the time.

I found an Orthodox Monastary in Ohio

Serbian Orthodox Monastary: 330-659-3809
5095 Broadview Rd Richfield, OH 44286, US