Living in forests far away from other people is not true seclusion. True seclusion is to be free from the power of likes and dislikes. It is also to be free from the mental attitude that one must be special because one is treading the path.Those who remove themselves to far forests often feel superior to others. They think that because they are solitary they are being guided in a special way and that those who live an ordinary life can never have that experience. But that is conceit and is not help to others. The true recluse is one who is available to others, helping them with affectionate speech and personal example. .-Prajnaparamita From "Buddha Speaks," edited by Anne Bancroft, 2000. Reprinted by arrangement with Shambhala Publications, Boston, www.shambhala.com.
James's Comment: I have often thought about the monks that seclude themselves in high mountain tops or just being a monk in the first place as "escapism" in a way. It seems sometimes that being a monk is to purposefully seperate yourself from society and thus an artifical "life" of sorts. Sometimes I feel that to follow the middle path we must stay within the "middle path" of society. It is easy to "escape" to a cave somewhere but to remain in the middle of life is the true path I feel. Not everyone can escape and "leave society." It takes true courage to live a normal life within the confines of life and to submit yourself to the temptations of everyday society. This is where our truest, most raw lessons are taught and learned I believe. As the quote says, the true recluse is one who is available to others, helping them with the affectionate speech and personal example.
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