Chapter 26

Desert Monks

Now in a hurry to reach our destination, we walked faster and began to ask Akakios about his life in the desert.

“It’s been hard, and many days it still is. I usually don’t get to stay in one place for more than a day or two. One or another of the monasteries will have a problem I must attend to; or I’m on my regular route to deliver the news. But I’m glad to be in the desert. I never miss the city. Then a year ago I became a monk, and everything’s different.”

“Oh, tell us about that.” Yarrl interrupted. “Everything we’ve seen and experienced on this journey makes me want to know more about monks and monasteries.”

“Well, I can’t tell you any details about being a monk because it’s different for each of us. It’s so intense that one has to feel compelled to take up the life and then devote all physical and mental energies to reach the goal.” He smiled at Yarrl.

“I learned important and helpful things from Arsenius the Great. He’s our abba at Baramus; a mystic who watches over everyone in the monastery and the desert all around here. After I’d been at Baramus for a while, I went with him to several different places in the desert where I learned about and experienced the ways of the spirit.” That was all Akakios would say about his training.

“Those things are not to be discussed. Each person has a unique experience when the face of God has been touched that can’t be described with words. I hope you both get to spend some time with Arsenius; I know you’ll be uplifted and never forget it.”

In the afternoon we stood on top of a high escarpment. Several marshy areas were spread out below over a wide area from east to west. Water in the landscape was a welcome sight, the marshes were full of papyrus, and we could see a few farms in the distance. A tiny monastery was far off to the east. We turned west toward Baramus, descended and walked along the southern edge of the Wadi Natrun; the ground was rough and variegated, clays mixed with the sand and dirt. Small canyons and ridges here and there with a few cave entrances made this an appealing landscape after all those days of plain sand and rocks.

Later, still a long way from the monastery, monks began to appear. One might run from behind a hill or come out of a cell in the distance. After a quick wave or a shouted welcome home to their brother Akakios, each returned to his tasks.

“Artemus, Yarrl, did you notice that some of those monks were ready to greet us before they could have known we were in the area? Many who live isolated in caves or small huts are prescient. They knew we were coming and also know when raiders are in the area which helps them stay safe.”

At dusk, we were exhausted, unprepared for the magic of Baramus. Yarrl and I looked at each other in surprise; I think we both felt like this place could be home. Inside the walls, our feet were washed and dried with linen and we were each given a cell for sleeping. We rested under the fig trees for a while, gazing at this sanctuary in the desert as the bright sky dropped a notch to the cool blue of the lotus in the marshes of Wadi Natrun.

Awake early, we had time to talk before breakfast. We were glad to be here, curious about what would come next. Would we meet Abba Arsenius the Great today?

“Artemus, I like this place already. Last night, those demons I told you about were gone from my dreams.” In the city, Yarrl had mentioned that he often had bad dreams and was sometimes tired in the morning.

“But that dark cloud on the horizon is still there. It makes me uneasy, nervous. I can’t figure out why I have such dark dreams.”

“Sorry I don’t know anything about dreams; but if some of the bad has gone away, maybe the rest will too.” I hoped he’d look on the bright side.

We were glad to be here with Akakios, but it was still unknown territory. We were a very long way from the Library, our world in common. A shiver of uneasiness passed through me; but I knew I had to stay calm and positive for both of us.

“I’m glad we’re here.” I told Yarrl. “But I feel different so far from Alexandria.”

“I know what you mean. I guess once we get busy looking for caves it’ll feel more normal.” Good, I didn’t think he was worried.

“I think you’re right. I’m sure Arsenius will explain everything.”

After breakfast, the monks went about their chores. Akakios stayed.

“I’m sure you want to know all about this place.” There was a lilt in his voice that revealed just how delighted he was to have us here in his new home. “Doesn’t Baramus give you a good feeling? It did me the minute I arrived. We can relax; I have a little time to visit.”

“That’s good, because I’m curious as a cat.” Yarrl spoke in earnest.

“Abba Arsenius the Great is responsible for this monastery and the well being of all the monks who live inside the walls and outside the walls close by.” Akakios began. “As a helper of God he provides each of us with guidance while we find and understand our own paths. Everything is different for each one. And because he’s often away, our other senior monk, Abba Moses, is also in charge.”

“Where does Arsenius go?” Yarrl wondered why he didn’t stay here all the time. “How long is he gone?”

“I don’t know where he goes, but it’s customary for most of the monks to spend a lot of time outside the monastery in undisturbed contemplation. Each has his own way of reaching out to God. And like the prophet Jesus, some are away for many days at a time. Some of the more ascetic monks choose to undertake a long, drawn-out process of complete withdrawal from the physical world as they strive to achieve loss of personal identity. They believe that’s necessary for one to become a spiritual person.”

“But when they’re alone in the desert, what do they do?” I asked because I didn’t think I’d like to be by myself for too long in the desert.” Akakios seemed amused by my question, but didn’t give a direct answer.

“Remember when we talked about the solitaries at Kellia? Just as they prefer to be alone, some who live in monasteries also want to have long periods of solitude. It’s a private, personal decision. No one ever talks to others about his needs or experiences.” Akakios glanced at each of us as if to ascertain we understood and would be discreet.

“We all have the same goal: to fight the devil and evil demons that torment every one of us. Monks actually see themselves as warriors and the desert as a battleground where their personal wars take place. They intend to confront all the demons and the devil face to face.”

“Before Kellia, I’d never heard of evil demons or the devil.” Yarrl didn’t think that sounded right. “I don’t think they’re real.”

“You’re correct, they’re allegorical; personifications of temptations that everyone meets during a lifetime. They represent challenges that could cause us to push away or stray from our true path.”

“The desert monks seem to have a whole different outlook than the monks in Alexandria.” Yarrl said. “Maybe some of the rituals are the same for both; but out here they don’t run around in mobs attacking people. Maybe city monks and desert monks approach the Ultimate One in different ways.”

“Out here the monks believe life in this world is impermanent and lasts only for a brief time. So they strive to prepare for life in the next world that will become real only after physical death. They focus on their own journey and never force anything onto others.

“And that’s why they don’t value things of this world; they fear being entrapped by possessions that could be evil. They desire nothing but hope and faith in the reward of the next world. In the main, they’re guided by prayer, reading their holy book and maintaining their subsistence. They lead simple lives.” Akakios could understand Yarrl’s confusion.

“But how do they know what to do?” Yarrl still wasn’t quite sure what Akakios meant.

“All sorts of people with many different interests choose to become monks. So they bring with them a variety of skills and choose to follow many different paths. Some holy men and women in the desert possess much power that’s used in different ways. Every week people come from the cities to seek their help. Some heal the sick through exorcism; some help settle individual and community disputes; some work on farms; others have different ways of helping people.” Yarrl and I were surprised to hear this.

“There are some who have powerful visions of the future. Visionary experiences can provide knowledge through direct contact with the spirit world.” Surprised to hear that; I realized it had happened to me.

Yarrl paid close attention to this new information. He seemed to be attracted to the way these monks thought about life and the world, and had probably never heard that reality was different for each person. Now on his own, he seemed to have opened up to learning new things.

“I’ve never before heard about a monk’s life, with freedom to search for inner peace until you find it. You say that’s all they want. They have little worldly goods and don’t mind. They’re generous, compassionate and don’t profit in worldly ways from their spiritual warfare. I believe I’d like to understand the world as they do.” He was definitely intrigued. “I don’t know, Akakios, if I could have dealt with the things that happened in your life; and I realize life is different for each of us; but do you think I could face the same challenges you and the monks have faced?”

“Yarrl, I think that will be your decision, and if you choose to follow that path you will find the strength for it as we all have. It will be a good life.” We sat in silence for a time.

“I have to leave early tomorrow to take the news from Alexandria to other monasteries.” Akakios broke the silence. “Arsenius knows you’re here at Baramus; and he’s already on his way to meet you.”

“Thank you for bringing us here.” Knowing he would miss Akakios, a break in Yarrl’s voice betrayed his feelings.

“And thank you for showing us Nitria and Kellia. I think we’re both overwhelmed because there’s so much to learn.” I spoke, as the three of us touched each other on a forearm, which felt like a gesture of warm friendship as Akakios left us.

That evening, Yarrl was back to himself as he wondered aloud whether all the monks were prescient; and if they were, why would Akakios need to carry the news? I knew he’d never ask Akakios such a question. But after all that serious talk, we had a good laugh.

That night Yarrl and I slept soundly in this quiet place where many good men lived simply from their hearts.

 NEXT.....Chapter 27
Abba Moses at Baramus