Where can I go to find myself

[georgegeorgia]

Im 62 and I just will take a year off from my work to find myself

 

I'm thinking going to Thailand for a few months to live in a temple with monks,can  that be done?

 

Somewhere away from life, quiet rural away from people etc 

.I had a workmate years ago go through a bitter divorce,he went to some place in the Philippines some island I don't know where but lived by himself for a few months 

.

Have you ever had to do this or done this ?

 

I'm also thinking Scotland highlands ?

By myself in a cabin in the country mountains 

 

Where is a place where on can find their life

 

 

 

 

[Kwasaki]

11 minutes ago, georgegeorgia said:

Have you ever had to do this or done this ?

Nah !!

 

[Stocky]

Quote

Where can I go to find myself

Google Maps?

[1FinickyOne]

There are many forest temples in Thailand... some populated, others not, but some are quite beautiful and serene and are set quite off alone... I used to visit some of the more remote ones regularly and the monks were always welcoming and invited me to stay... 

[worgeordie]

32 minutes ago, georgegeorgia said:

Im 62 and I just will take a year off from my work to find myself

 

Mental problems ,or something , find yourself ?

regards worgeordie

[CharlieH]

The problem is that wherever you go, there you are. Geography and isolation wont help and could make it worse.

 

[proton]

Only one I would consider, no nonsense forest temple with long foreigner monk tradition. No stray animals, amulet sellers, markets or daft statues of chickens etc.

 

https://www.watpahnanachat.org/

Edited October 21, 2022 by proton

[gargamon]

Look in a mirror. There you are. Problem solved.

[georgegeorgia]

5 minutes ago, proton said:

Only one I would consider, no nonsense forest temple with long foreigner monk tradition. No stray animals, amulet sellers, markets or daft statues of chickens etc.

 

https://www.watpahnanachat.org/

Thankyou !????

[BostonJoe]

  How does someone find themselves ? Okay I'm lost  Is this a trick question 

[Sparktrader]

Travel around Thailand, eat food, catch trains and buses. Talk to people.

 

You wont find yourself being alone and doing nothing. That will make things worse.

 

Positive actions lead to positive outcomes not isolation.

 

Also read this book called How to Stop Worrying and Start Living by Dale Carnegie.

 

 

 

 

[Steps]

Try the Cabin Chiang Mai

[Dan747]

 "My place to RELAX" and rest/reflect is Koh Chang (Elephant Island) in Thailand. Each to his own, I hope you find the right place for "YOU!" Good Luck. 

[BangkokReady]

1, Read some great works of literature.

 

2, Put yourself in a very challenging and uncomfortable situation.

 

3, Help others.

 

In my opinion, while travelling and experiencing things can make you feel good, it is really only temporary.  It's also generally a pleasant experience and I'm not sure if you will really learn anything about life or yourself.  When your time is up and you return home, you might find yourself exactly where you were at the start, but with a few stories to tell.

Edited October 21, 2022 by BangkokReady

[Lacessit]

The Australian outback is a useful destination for self-appraisal. Stay on one of the stations, the next house will be about 10 km away, and the next town 100. Limited radio, no TV, perhaps a couple of station dogs for company.

I had a month like that in September, 2001. When I got back to civilization, I thought the whole world had gone mad. Still does.

[Sparktrader]

5 minutes ago, Lacessit said:

The Australian outback is a useful destination for self-appraisal. Stay on one of the stations, the next house will be about 10 km away, and the next town 100. Limited radio, no TV, perhaps a couple of station dogs for company.

I had a month like that in September, 2001. When I got back to civilization, I thought the whole world had gone mad. Still does.

Fix fences?

[scubascuba3]

i recommend Pattaya to find yourself.

 

Problem with monks and temples, you'll be bored in 5 minutes

[connda]

36 minutes ago, proton said:

Only one I would consider, no nonsense forest temple with long foreigner monk tradition. No stray animals, amulet sellers, markets or daft statues of chickens etc.

 

https://www.watpahnanachat.org/

They won't take you.  You're too old. Sorry. The farang chapters of Ajahn Chah's monastic legacy are funny like that.  I was deeply influenced by Ajahn Chah's teaching for years prior to early retirement.  Been there, tried that. It's not an option. Your age is considered problematic. 

If you looking for meditation and an internal getaway, try Pa-Auk Tawya Forest Monastery in Myanmar.  There are more than one, but Pa-Auk Tawya is the largest.  Pa-Auk is much more approachable than Wat Pah Nanachat. 
The monastery's web site is here: https://www.paaukforestmonastery.org/ 

You can also contact Bhante Subhuti at this link.  He's spent considerable time at the Pa-Auk forest monasteries and could fill you in.  https://americanmonk.org
 

Best of luck.
 

[connda]

1 hour ago, worgeordie said:

Mental problems ,or something , find yourself ?

regards worgeordie

For once, why don't we all strive to have just a little respect for someone seriously reaching out?  Just saying.

[it is what it is]

 

where will you find yourself?

 

possibly where you left yourself?

[connda]

5 minutes ago, connda said:

They won't take you.  You're too old. Sorry. The farang chapters of Ajahn Chah's monastic legacy are funny like that.  I was deeply influenced by Ajahn Chah's teaching for years prior to early retirement.  Been there, tried that. It's not an option. Your age is considered problematic. 

If you looking for meditation and an internal getaway, try Pa-Auk Tawya Forest Monastery in Myanmar.  There are more than one, but Pa-Auk Tawya is the largest.  Pa-Auk is much more approachable than Wat Pah Nanachat. 
The monastery's web site is here: https://www.paaukforestmonastery.org/ 

You can also contact Bhante Subhuti at this link.  He's spent considerable time at the Pa-Auk forest monasteries and could fill you in.  https://americanmonk.org
 

Best of luck.
 

Oh, and there is a chapter in Thailand.  Fairly new. 
https://www.paaukthailand.org/en/home-en/

[Sparktrader]

 

[Sparktrader]

15 minutes ago, connda said:

For once, why don't we all strive to have just a little respect for someone seriously reaching out?  Just saying.

Exactly. Some people have no respect for others that are struggling. Paul Green a successful league coach killed himself a few months ago. People need to reach out for help if needed.

[timendres]

Maybe you are from the US (Georgia is in your name, but maybe that is the Georgia next to Eastern Europe). I am from Michigan. When I first came to Thailand in 2002, the experience was mind blowing. Dropping acid would be the only thing I can think of that affected me more. You may not find yourself, but I believe it will help you move in that direction. Book the trip, plan a two or three month stay. Do Bangkok, an island, then maybe some time in Isaan. I would not try to move around too much. It will just waste time and energy. Settle into a location. Absorb it. The almost overwhelming sensation of being in such a foreign place is incredible. It has real value.

[Sparktrader]

5 minutes ago, timendres said:

Maybe you are from the US (Georgia is in your name, but maybe that is the Georgia next to Eastern Europe). I am from Michigan. When I first came to Thailand in 2002, the experience was mind blowing. Dropping acid would be the only thing I can think of that affected me more. You may not find yourself, but I believe it will help you move in that direction. Book the trip, plan a two or three month stay. Do Bangkok, an island, then maybe some time in Isaan. I would not try to move around too much. It will just waste time and energy. Settle into a location. Absorb it. The almost overwhelming sensation of being in such a foreign place is incredible. It has real value.

Catching a train is peaceful and you see the countryside. I wouldnt recommend Bangkok to someone with depression. It is too extreme.

 

 

[OneMoreFarang]

I read the following book a long time ago. I think it's inspiring.

And he tells the real-life stories about the idea of living in a temple in the woods.

I recommend you read it and decided if that is what you really want.

 

(continued below the picture)

 

 

Otherwise, I recommend reading books. I guess it's perfect if you do that on a lonely beach or in the mountains somewhere, but any place where you can relax and concentrate on your reading should do the job.

 

Read i.e. Jordan Peterson's maps of meaning or one of his other books. And/or other psychology books.

And I recommend read them in your native language to really understand them.

Or watch some of his videos or work on his Self-Authoring program.

 

There are lots of smart people out there who we can learn a lot from. Just don't make any of these people your guru. Read, listen, learn, and stay critical. You don't have to believe everything. 

Reflect and learn and think about yourself and what is meaningful for you.

 

I wish you good luck on that way.

 

 

 

 

[Sparktrader]

7 minutes ago, OneMoreFarang said:

I read the following book a long time ago. I think it's inspiring.

And he tells the real-life stories about the idea of living in a temple in the woods.

I recommend you read it and decided if that is what you really want.

 

(continued below the picture)

 

 

Otherwise, I recommend reading books. I guess it's perfect if you do that on a lonely beach or in the mountains somewhere, but any place where you can relax and concentrate on your reading should do the job.

 

Read i.e. Jordan Peterson's maps of meaning or one of his other books. And/or other psychology books.

And I recommend read them in your native language to really understand them.

Or watch some of his videos or work on his Self-Authoring program.

 

There are lots of smart people out there who we can learn a lot from. Just don't make any of these people your guru. Read, listen, learn, and stay critical. You don't have to believe everything. 

Reflect and learn and think about yourself and what is meaningful for you.

 

I wish you good luck on that way.

 

 

 

 

JP is a very serious guy. I like him but far too serious. He seems very depressed himself.

 

You need joy in your life to be happy. Over thinking makes life worse.

[Regyai]

1 minute ago, OneMoreFarang said:

I read the following book a long time ago. I think it's inspiring.

And he tells the real-life stories about the idea of living in a temple in the woods.

I recommend you read it and decided if that is what you really want.

 

(continued below the picture)

 

 

Otherwise, I recommend reading books. I guess it's perfect if you do that on a lonely beach or in the mountains somewhere, but any place where you can relax and concentrate on your reading should do the job.

 

Read i.e. Jordan Peterson's maps of meaning or one of his other books. And/or other psychology books.

And I recommend read them in your native language to really understand them.

Or watch some of his videos or work on his Self-Authoring program.

 

There are lots of smart people out there who we can learn a lot from. Just don't make any of these people your guru. Read, listen, learn, and stay critical. You don't have to believe everything. 

Reflect and learn and think about yourself and what is meaningful for you.

 

I wish you good luck on that way.

 

 

 

 

Pretty sure it was in one of his books I read a tale which always stuck in my mind, and very germane to the OP's question:

 

Basically the monk goes to the Abbot of his then Wat and asks to transfer to some other Wat where he feels it would be more conducive to his meditation practice.

 

The Abbot reflects on the request then asks the monk to observe the temple dogs, how restless they are, how they scratch and shuffle, then move somewhere more comfortable, or somewhere a little cooler. Then insightfully explained that the dogs don't realise that where ever they go, they take their fleas with them.

[Sparktrader]

In 1922 Albert Einstein wrote: "A calm and modest life brings more happiness than the pursuit of success combined with constant restlessness."

 

Go find your calm place.

[Sparktrader]

6 minutes ago, Regyai said:

Pretty sure it was in one of his books I read a tale which always stuck in my mind, and very germane to the OP's question:

 

Basically the monk goes to the Abbot of his then Wat and asks to transfer to some other Wat where he feels it would be more conducive to his meditation practice.

 

The Abbot reflects on the request then asks the monk to observe the temple dogs, how restless they are, how they scratch and shuffle, then move somewhere more comfortable, or somewhere a little cooler. Then insightfully explained that the dogs don't realise that where ever they go, they take their fleas with them.

So buy flea spray.