There are two worthy and equally valuable paths in life: that of a family person and that of a monk. How they differ, why people choose the monastic path, and what a monk's mission is.
There are two worthy and equally valuable paths in life: that of a family person (a householder) and that of a monk. Today's society needs people on either of these paths equally. Both are favorable for a person's spiritual life. But each of them fulfills its own particular functions.
The monk and the family person. What is the difference?
The path of a family person consists in finding balance in one's life between work, family, self-development and spiritual practice, and achieving stability in this. A family person's attention and energy are directed largely to their own family, which contributes to the development of society as a whole.
A person on the monastic path also contributes to the development of society, but there is one very important difference. The monastic path does not imply stability; it simply cannot be achieved, since a person on this path does not belong to themselves. A monk's whole life is dedicated to serving the world and the universe. And the aim of this service is not personal well-being, but the well-being of all living beings. Like that of a family person, a monk's energy is directed to the well-being of their family. But the family of a person who has taken up the monastic path is all of humanity, all living beings. A monk sees the embodiment of the supreme Consciousness in everyone and works for the good of all.
Why do people choose the monastic path?
The monastic path is a path of strict discipline. People who follow it need to completely "reformat" their personality, which is very hard and painstaking work. So why, despite all the difficulties, do some still choose the monastic path? There are usually two main reasons: an inner need to serve a higher goal, and the dream of a better world.
Even before choosing a particular path, a person may feel a desire to know something sublime, and will subconsciously strive to realize this desire, which cannot be developed or cultivated in oneself. Such a longing is simply there. One could say that a spiritual fire is always smoldering in every person.
The second reason for choosing the monastic path is a strong desire to make the world better. People with such a desire are filled with the conviction that, despite all the circumstances and problems in society, everything can be changed for the better. It is precisely such aspirations, backed by concrete action, that move our world forward. History holds many examples of progressive ideas being put into practice. One vivid example is the abolition of slavery.
If a person has both of these aspects at once, an inner need to serve a higher goal and a desire to change the world, then sooner or later they will have the opportunity to get to know all the joys and hardships of the monastic path and to understand whether they truly want to choose such a life.
The mission of a monk
Today we are witnessing a unique period in our history. Humanity has accumulated a great amount of knowledge and has advanced far in developing technology. This is a turning point in history, and the future depends on our actions. Our future is beautiful. In that society all people will be free to unfold their physical and spiritual potential. In another scenario we may slide into darkness, into a demonic civilization in which new technologies are aimed not at the good of people but at enslavement, exploitation and growing inequality.
Humanity's only way is to make the right choice, which consists in the rationalization of mentality and the expansion of universal spirituality. This can be achieved by spreading spiritual values, progressive models of thinking and a new universal vision. This is precisely the mission of a person who has taken up the monastic path. A reminder of this mission is the monk's orange dress. It symbolizes the flame that pervades the monk's body, mind and soul. This flame gives warmth to people and all living beings, protects and inspires them. The orange dress is also a reminder of the ideal of life, of the fact that the monastic path is a path of self-renunciation and service to the whole world.