Creative Imagination

Run while you have the light of life...

The same longings for which monks seek resolution in cenobitic life—and will continue to seek in monasteries although in smaller numbers—can find fulfillment in the life of the Fifth Kind of Monk, too. We are limited only by unimaginative mindsets and lack of courage, by an inability to see the Fifth Kind of Monk, a monk who may not be celibate, isn’t necessarily directly connected to a monastery, has or can be a spiritual teacher, could belong to a hybrid community, practices spiritual disciplines, and participates in the transformation of the world.

Building strong character, key to the fullness of monkhood, is not something one does alone, unless maybe one has the hermit vocation. For all other monks, in addition to prayer and lectio and study, we need mature others in our lives who love us and are willing to reflect us back to ourselves and stick with us as we strive for holiness and to encourage our practice of humility (because as every musician, athlete, chef, writer, artist, or anyone trying to master anything knows, practice is essential). For the Fifth Kind of Monk this may be a spouse. Or a close friend or mentor. Or a spiritual director. But in the end, it depends on the monk—a monk must want and be open to honest feedback even when it is difficult to hear and the change required seems impossible.

Likewise community, whether living community or networked community, is essential to the life of the monk. The Fifth Kind of Monk can contribute to networks of transformation right here, right now, creating a diasporic monastery. It will take a similar commitment to obedience—mutual listening—as is required of monks in the monastery. And, it will need the same love of life, the good zeal, that celebrates each other and the world in which we live.

The Fifth Kind of Monk will also be intentional in commitment to a particular physical place and to those who share the space. While today’s technology makes it possible for them to consider a hybrid community, a true Fifth Monk requires physical connection and shows up in the neighborhood and walks on the earth in a mindful way.

Monasteries today are not the self-sufficient enclosures they once were, farming to feed the community, drying medicinal herbs, grinding meal, and weaving cloth. But that doesn’t mean the Fifth Kind of Monk can’t draw on those early ideals of manual labor in rhythm with the seasons and contentment with enoughness.

There are probably unrecognized monks in urban farming movements and community organizing efforts, in those seeking reparation and land justice, and working for climate change—and in many other places and movements, too. Monks have never been mainstream. Maybe that’s because they build slow thinking and reflection into their lives. They pay attention, they seek meaning and purpose beyond the material. They give their lives to others in love, especially to those whom the world casts aside.

If your heart resonates with my words, there may be a monk within you. Stay with the feeling, follow the questions. Maybe you are a cenobitic monk and a part of you has been resisting finding your monastery. Or maybe you’re called to be an oblate connected to a monastery rather than a monk. Or maybe you are the Fifth Kind of Monk. Look around and find others. And then, as Benedict says, “run while you have the light of life” and connect with them.

Let us, with Benedict’s good zeal, see what is and make it real, for all our sakes.