Will Ferrell

I've had moments in my life when I've thought if I wasn't acting, if I wasn't doing what I do and I had a career in the private sector and I didn't have a family, that I do have some tendencies where I could really kind of have a monastic existence and be okay with it.

American Comedian

Jim Carrey

You know, I live a monastic lifestyle. No, I do. I do live in extremes, basically. I go back and forth. Once every six months, I'll have a day where I eat more chocolate than has ever been consumed by a human being.

Canadian Comedian

Monty Don

Any British household with a scrap of land has always grown herbs for the kitchen. From the superb monastic herb gardens down to the humblest cottage, a supply of fresh herbs would have been considered essential.

English Celebrity

David Thibodeau

Mount Carmel was a very monastic place. We lived in another time - an easier time, a better time. We didn't have running water or most modern conveniences. But in a lot of ways, it was a very satisfying life.

American Activist

Albert Camus

Working conditions for me have always been those of the monastic life: solitude and frugality. Except for frugality, they are contrary to my nature, so much so that work is a violence I do to myself.

French Philosopher

Venerable Bede

I have devoted my energies to the study of the scriptures, observing monastic discipline, and singing the daily services in church; study, teaching, and writing have always been my delight.

English Clergyman

Pope Theodoros II

I like the monastic life... in the prayer and the praising... this has charged me with new energy, spiritual energy. This is very important for my ministry outside the monastery.

Egyptian Clergyman

Thich Nhat Hanh

The happiest moments are when we sit down and we feel the presence of our brothers and sisters, lay and monastic, who are practicing walking and sitting meditation.

Vietnamese Clergyman

Peter Morgan

As any showrunner will tell you, it is crushing work. It is around the clock. It is like a monastic commitment that you make.

British Writer

Sergio Marchionne

I like simplicity almost to the point of being monastic.

Italian Businessman

Originates from historical religious practices, often Catholic or Buddhist.

Religious Origin

Implies isolation or a serene environment, like those found in monasteries.

Calm Surroundings

Can refer to a group living together, sharing beliefs and practices.

Shared Community

Associated with voluntary simplicity and deliberate avoidance of excess.

Lifestyle Choice

Can describe a secular lifestyle that is not connected to religion.

Not Just Religious

Suggests an intentional distancing from social distractions.

Mindful Solitude

Today, the term can extend to people dedicating life to any disciplined cause.

Modern Monastics

The term can apply to people with a monastic devotion to non-religious work.

Not Always Religious

Not just for men; women can be 'monastics' as well.

Gender Inclusivity

 Tanzan politely offers his help, carrying the traveler on his back across the street, and placing her down without a word. Ekido was shocked. According to monastic law, monks were not supposed to go near women, let alone touch a beautiful stranger.

Zen kōans: Unsolvable...

 but I left the monastic life, because even then, 20 years ago, I felt that the climate crisis was already a quickly unfolding emergency and I wanted to do my part. But once I'd left and I rejoined the world, I looked at what I could control.

How to shift your...

 lama's monastic leaders of tibetan buddhism unesco world heritage designation extends to the neighboring jo king temple considered Tibet's most sacred