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Comment by factsaresacred | Hacker News Reader

> I think, they are dying out, because of their rigid traditions which rarely make sense in our modern world anymore.

Living a monastic life has never been appealing to the broad population. But to say that an ascetic life devoted to introspection doesn't 'make sense' is misguided.

The modern world in predominately a sedentary lifestyle spent between a cube and a couch, interspersed with frenzies of gluttony, consumption and mindless distraction to stave off feeling of emptiness.

Nothing could make less sense.

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This.

One of the core tasks of the contemplative lifestyle (which can certainly be practiced outside of monasteries) is to be awakened from all of the things we think we need and desire. These are usually the things that the (societally constructed) ego needs to feel secure and comfortable - hence so many contemplative traditions stress the importance of "dying to yourself". This is not 'negative' or even necessarily introverted - in fact, dealing with the insecurities that you have inherited from the expectations of the society around you can make you comfortable both alone and with people. There is no need to impress anyone; no need to feel insecure or alone; you're at peace with yourself and the world.

The contemplative tradition has a lot to teach our world - no manner of scientific or technological progress is going to help us before we're comfortable with being ourselves.

You misunderstood. It's not the idea of living in introspection that isn't making sense anymore. It's the traditions that I meant, the rigid traditions of serving god and faith inside a monastery. Those aren't making sense to the most people today. Because the have failed to adapt to a modern understanding of how the world/anything works.

> Because the [sic] have failed to adapt to a modern understanding of how the world/anything works

That's the point. Living a life of reactivity to every change it the zeitgeist precludes peace.

> predominately a sedentary lifestyle spent between a cube and a couch, interspersed with frenzies of gluttony, consumption and mindless distraction to stave off feeling of emptiness.

> Nothing could make less sense.

Speak for yourself...

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