{"id":422,"date":"2014-12-28T04:40:54","date_gmt":"2014-12-28T04:40:54","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/escrituras-eremitas.com\/english\/?p=422"},"modified":"2014-12-28T04:40:54","modified_gmt":"2014-12-28T04:40:54","slug":"how-qualified-are-monks-to-give-advice-to-lay-people-on-their-family-and-work-problems","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/escrituras-eremitas.com\/english\/2014\/12\/28\/how-qualified-are-monks-to-give-advice-to-lay-people-on-their-family-and-work-problems\/","title":{"rendered":"As monks lead such secluded lives, how qualified are they to give advice to lay people on their family and work problems?"},"content":{"rendered":"

As monks lead such secluded lives, how qualified are they to give advice to lay people on their family and work problems?<\/h2>\n
\"Ajahn<\/a>

Ajahn Amaro answering questions in the sala at Amaravati<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n

People from every social class and livelihood, old and young, male and female, go to visit senior monks. People discuss their lives and problems with these monks in the same way that people in the West might talk to a priest or therapist. As a result, such monks tend to have a good grasp of the kinds of issues facing their lay disciples.<\/p>\n

A life devoted to understanding of the human mind means that senior monks, particularly the meditation masters, have gained deep insights into the way that the mind works, how it creates suffering and how it can be free of it. Through having looked profoundly at how their own minds work, these monks understand those of others. Although the situations provoking emotions may vary, the emotions themselves are universal. By addressing the thoughts, beliefs, desires and fears that underlie various problems, monks can get to the root of the matter at hand, without being hampered by lack of personal experience of particular situations.<\/p>\n

\"Ajahn<\/a>

Ajahn Jayasaro with the laity at Amaravati<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n

More questions and answers<\/span> HERE<\/a><\/p>\n

Source:<\/span><\/p>\n