Monk Love



The New York Times has an interesting article about two Buddhist Americans, Michael Roach and Christie McNally, who have vowed never to separate by more than 15 feet. And... they're celibate.

"[Michael] is a good guy and learned person, but the Bill Clinton question lingers over him," said Lama Surya Das, an American Buddhist who studied in Tibet and wrote “Awakening the Buddha Within." "He is with a much younger blond bombshell. What is a deep relationship that is not sexual? It is hard to understand."

Hmm. "What is a deep relationship that is not sexual?" Sounds like Lama Das is one horny bastard.

Of course, it is a bit hard to understand how going against one's biological imperative is spiritual. Especially since following such a course would... you know... sort of bring about the end to one's lineage. And if we can't have kids to thrust our strange beliefs on, then who will lead our cult spiritual revolution once we go off to that big yurt in the sky?

After all, celibacy was not exactly a big draw for the Shakers.

Why would a religion include a mandate to promote the eventual extinction of the human race? Because that's what would happen if everyone suddenly went celibate. Didn't anyone see Children of Men?!?!


No kids? Shakers wish.

But I do think Michael and Christie are on to something. They've built a relationship out of mutual respect and genuine care for one another. They watch out for each other, and they're there for each other, all of the time. Maybe if we focused a little less on sex and just a bit more on that other stuff, then we wouldn't all be divorcing each other, cheating with hookers and hiring hit men to off our significant others. After all, if these two could stay together after sleeping in a smelly yurt night after night, then isn't there hope for Eliot and Silda Spitzer?

Perhaps those two should consider the 15 feet rule.