Hello, my name is Kevin Lidin. I am 25 years old and come from Sweden. I am a medical science student and a personal trainer. I decided to do the monklife program because I wanted to learn more about happiness and inner peace. I wanted to truly experience it, not only understand it on an intellectual level. I first read about Imonastery when I googled “How to become a monk” and I thought it looked very interesting. After doing some more research I decided to sign up for the program. The program was very organized with scheduled lectures and meditation classes which I liked because I felt that I needed guidance and experienced teachers to guide me.
After the monklife project I felt more complete from the inside. I no longer chase for happiness, I realized that everything I need to be happy is already here. This moment and this breath is everything I need. This understanding have given me a different view on life that I never had before. Even tho my life looks very similar before and after the monk life I feel that my experience of life is much better, more ease and more happiness.
I have only joined one program, July 2023.
I personally really liked the life as a monk. No worries about the things that usually gives a lot of stress in normal life. Living without the phone and distractions made me pay attention to the little things like nature and friends. I use the knowledge I got from monk life everyday. Whenever I have many things to do or feel stressed, I try to focus on the breath and it gives me an anchor to inner stillness. The teachings of the Buddha has given me a guidance in life, it shows that path to become the best version of myself.
I follow 5 precepts and meditate 1-2 hours daily. I also study the dhamma, studying courses at the university in Sweden and listen to my teacher on YouTube. Trying to improve little by little every day.