Tag: monastery

  • First day in the monastery: A multi-faith experience

    The first day I entered the multi-faith monastery was one of the most memorable moments of my life.  I was going to visit for the weekend with some friends.  I had no idea that this is where I would end up taking my monastic vows and spending the next 11 years of my life.

  • Praise and Criticism – A Story From The Monastery

    Praise and Criticism – A Story From The Monastery

    I’ll never forget the rather amusing altercation between two of the monks at the monastery one day involving buckets of water!  Giving and receiving praise and criticism can play havoc with our emotions if it goes unchecked.  Both Brother Matthew and Brother Simon (names changed for anonymity) had been engaged in an ego-game of criticising…

  • First Days Outside the Monastery #1 – Doubts

    First Days Outside the Monastery #1 – Doubts

    I’ll always remember what the woman behind the ticket counter at Carmarthen train station said to me the day I left Skandavale monastery.  It had been one of the biggest decisions of my life to leave. Of course after 11 years of commitment there were some doubts about whether or not I was doing the…