The Urban Monk is meant for you, regardless of the Who, What, Where, Why, When, and How.
I had planned to make the Urban Monk as universal as possible. I’ve stripped away the personal “me” as much as I can; my personal stories as a young urban male only come in to better illustrate my point.
Recently Slade, of Spiritual Blogging, kindly provided me with a blog review – and he mentioned that my site targeted hip, cool, young men, with a strong dose of spirituality. He said it was a good thing. But I wasn’t sure – I am a young urban male, and the Urban Monk name was meant to refer to me only. I didn’t want my readers to all become Urban Monks; although some posts will predictably be more applicable to people in who are my age and gender.
Bliss, Success, and Love are universal goals, and I planned to make this site an aid in your journey to get them. My posts up to now have mostly reflected the universal approach. You might be here because of the ego series (easily the most popular). Or you might have found me via the emotional mastery articles – clearing out anger, hatred, and sadness. These are the more spiritual and psychological “Monk” side of things.
But I haven’t gone into the Urban side as deeply: I don’t have much on Dating, Creativity, Masculinity, and Money, for example. I’ve delved into those subjects, but not extensively. Response has been great, but not nearly as fantastic as the “monk” side of things. So I’m re-considering it.
What I want to know is: What would you like Urban Monk to become? What do you want to see? What do you like and dislike? Do you want to see the Urban side, or should I focus more on the Monk side?
Once I am satisfied with the Monk side, will you stick with me when I delve into the Urban side? It will be a cycle – I will focus on one area then the next, forever keeping the balance.
Do you want to see more guest authors?
How about other types of content? I’ve had people approach me with offers to put their personal development videos on my site – would you guys be interested? Do you simply want to see stuff from me and me alone? (*update* I’ve included a sample below)
What is your background? Age? Gender?
Also, with the series that I make, some of them can get quite long – the egoless series for example will span 5-6 posts I estimate. The gratitude series, on the other hand, are only in two parts (Part 1 and Part 2). Do I break it up – mix in some other articles, or would you rather that I finish it off before moving on?
Please leave a comment and let me know. Be as harsh and critical as you want – I’ve got a fairly thick skin, and it would only help me make the site better for YOU. If you would prefer privacy, you can also email me at albert(at)urbanmonk(dot)net.
I would especially like to hear from long time readers that have not yet spoken to me.
This is some of the new content that I’ve been approached to include in my blog. It’s a short two minute video, covering some very basic stuff compared to what I normally write about – but some people might like the shorter time it takes to get the info, and also they might like video rather than reading. I do get a bit of money for this, but it’s only pennies and doesn’t mean much to me if it doesn’t make Urban Monk better for you guys.
Feedback? Maybe I should get a camera and do my own videos? But the women will just get lost in my dreamy eyes and not concentrate on what I’m saying…
UrbanMonk.Net provides comprehensive articles for your personal development - modern life, entwined with ancient spirituality.
Get the latest posts free via Email or RSS. |
Get The Latest Articles Free By Email: |
 |
|
24 Comments
Subscribe to the Comments
Hi there,
I prefer to read “Monk side”, but “urban side” is all right as well. Keep writing what you feel is good for the moment, it’s your site
Regarding long posts, I would prefer to read all parts before you skip to other topic.
Videos are good idea, try it.
Regards,
Ishi
I forgot to add: Please do write personal stories from time to time or include more of them in your posts. I think personal experiences are most inspiring.
Hey Ishi, thanks for the fast response and for reading. Comments taken on board!
Hey!
i have read a lot of “the Barefoot doctors” books and I can see similarities between both of your writings. I’m enjoying reading another persons view on this crazy way we choose to live.
I think keeping a fair balance on both the Monk and the urban side of things but pointing out where they meet would be quite cool.
The posts of yours that I have read have seemed to do this to (at least) my satisfaction, with real life references and how the more modern notion of psychology would explain the topics you cover.
So keeping each post in balance you cater for both the monk thinker and the urban doer in one hit.
Then again I’ve only just Stumbledupon you.
Dean
Heya Dean, welcome aboard! Thanks for the feedback…I had no idea who the Barefoot doctor is, found his website at http://www.barefootdoctorworld.com, is that it? Hehe pop taoism!
Good suggestion, I’ll keep that in mind. I take it you are referring to the intuition one, where I mixed metaphysical and psychological explanations?
Yeah and the “Aristotle versus the Urban Monk” posts were very interesting.
The barefoot doctors website you found requires you to pay unfortunately but I’m sure you’ll find his books in the library. I recommend “Barefoot Doctor’s Handbook for the Urban Warrior: Spiritual Survival Guide” I’m in the UK so you may not be able to find them if your else where.
What I have learned from it is that “the only immutable law is that Every thing changes”.
Keep up the good work and hopefully I can be more constructive for when I shed my green urban monk beginners baby grow.
Well, I have to say that my expectations of this blog, based on the name, is of your own experiences and philosophies after having lived in a world that seems to be torn between two extremes.
What I enjoy the most is how you put them together, keeping up with both sides at the same time, rather than separating them into distinct portions of your life.
I guess the question which you answer the best is, how does a thinker live in a world of doers? By doing the thinking… I feel like you’re at the top of your game when the thinking leads to even more doing.
Let me just clarify, in identifying your unique position — and this will be true for any blogger — the power is the string BETWEEN things.
Personal Development is a universal topic — the male power is general to an entire gender — what makes you unique is where you identify the intersection between:
General Topic A
General Topic B
and the “I” — the personal experience
Relating your unique personal perspective, as a filter for all the other topics you provide, and integrating your authentic, personal, heartfelt, transparent experiences is THE thing that only you can provide.
That’s the perspecitve — the unique position — the intersection between the various topics you focus on — that I can only get from You.
You are already everything you’ve ever wanted to become. You fulfill your life purpose with every breath you take. Using your life as a mission is about what other people ASK of you.
To some degree, who we are in the world is always determined more by others than by ourselves. What we do FOR people is assigned by them.
And the best way to determine what that might be — ask them!
Bravo, man!
@ Deano: Thanks man, I’ll check him out in my local bookshop. Please stick around, you’re very welcome to leave me comments and help me grow further in the future!
@ Adam: Thanks as well. I appreciate your comment, although I have to admit I don’t really know what you mean…doing the thinking leads to more doing? I will take your advice on board – I don’t think I can ever separate the monkishness from everything I do now – even some of my older draft posts that were pure “urban”, are now being rewritten with all the “monk” knowledge that I’ve gained since.
@ Slade: You the man, bro! Your perspective is valued, as always, and taken on board.
@ everyone: So from what I gather so far…Monk is good, keep the Monk side even when I go into the Urban stuff (I’ve got half written series on the pitfalls of personal development, masculinity, and dating once I’m done with this massive ego run). Keep my personal point of view, throw in more of my own experiences. Maybe a couple of videos if they are relevant. Nice! Glad I made this post, I also got some very people contacting me via email giving me feedback. Seems I am on the right track, then. Very encouraging!
The monk stuff is good, and what I read your blog. All of the urban stuff is interesting, but the masculinity content tends to alienate me. It’s only interesting inasmuch as it’s nice to read how one man (you) approaches masculinity, but its not relevant to me. Well, I suppose it could be relevant if I interacted with other men who agreed with your views on masculinity. Quite honestly I find some of your views on the topic to be rather rigid, and for me, this rigidity is problematic.
Thanks Brinstar, can I ask if you are male or female? Which parts of masculinity do you disagree with?
I like the high-end stuff, the ones that make me think. But maybe the masses aren’t really like that. Do you want to write for a certain group or for the masses? Like Problogger.net’s Darren, writes for the masses with an occasional “advanced” topic. Steve Pavlina writes for the masses and also has a higher level writing at times too. With my blog – I’m not sure which way to go yet either… write high level and risk not getting the mass traffic, or, write for the masses and someday get huge traffic? Not sure. I think I might try to further refine my niche style of writing and see where it ends up. Writing what I LIKE to write about seems to be the best formula for continuing to blog long-term and for me that might be the best strategy. Who do you want to write for? What do you like to write? Where do you see the blog in a year? 2? I’m answering the same questions for myself!
Thanks for that Vern! Yes I know what you mean…I’ve been feeling a bit cautious about my series on “egoless-ness”, as I have to refer people to older posts – otherwise they won’t understand it. I hope I’m handling it well – I’m making them as readable on their own as I can. I don’t really have a plan – I just write whatever has helped me the most and hope that others will benefit from it.
With your own blog, great stuff, I just had a look. I think you’re doing fine – while dealing with the high end stuff, you make it accessible to people with no prior background.
Albert, When first starting out – like I am with this blog, do I write as if there is a day-to-day audience? There isn’t… and yet, I feel like I’m supposed to be writing that way. I feel like people aren’t really going to “get” me until they understand my language, my outlook, the way I speak. It’s different, and if someone reads just one post – they may think I’m too odd to follow. But, if you read everything – you “get it”. That’s my idea anyway. Hope enough read a lot of the posts to “get it”! With yours – I “get it”. Great writing – and keep it up! Vern
Hi Vern, I’ll move this discussion into email if that’s OK with you!
I am female.
From what I have read, it just seems that your views on masculinity and how men “should” act come from a place where it seems like traditional gender roles are more rigidly applied. The knight-protector concept as an ideal for men to aspire to isn’t something I really agree with, because it places women in a position which belittles their (womens’) own agency — they are waiting to be saved and protected, instead of being proactive. It’s kind of out-dated, IMO.
My point is that a bulk of your articles on masculinity can be applicable to men and women, but only if you remove the somewhat traditional views on gender roles. I’m not saying that you should change your format or even stop writing on masculinity. I am just saying that your socialisation into traditional male gender roles is very obvious from your writings.
Hi Albert,
I just started reading your blogs and I really like them. I like that your readers can contact you and your reply is prompt. Not only that, You really care about making your reader happy. I really would like if you would focus on the Monk side. The urban side is fine but are you going to incorporate Monk and Urban sides? I imagine you are which is great. Just exposing the two sides and not doing so, I feel wouln’t do much justice. Reading your conversation with Vern I read something that I would like to comment on if I may. If you want to write for the masses is fine but you are aware that not all will know or grasp where you are coming from. Do you know what I mean? I think you should write advanced as well. Who ever is ready for it will enjoy it and will keep coming back for more. Oh, and the guest authors would be great! I really like Urban Monk keep it up!
@Brinstar: Thanks for the comments, I agree with you, and I’m thinking of removing the masculinity and femininity sections entirely. I’ll replace them with personal power or adulthood something similar, which is honestly what they’re about. I had no intention of belittling women; most of, if not all of, the women I’ve dated actually like my protective personality – then again I don’t talk about protection or white knights or anything overtly like I do on the blog. That was a mistake on my part, and is quite possibly where this disparity arises – readers will think that they have to become some chest beater or something.
@Lorena: Thanks for your kind compliments! Yes, the biggest thing I got from the feedback was that I should merge the two…maybe once I get to the other topics like work or dating, etc, there will be a spiritual / philosophical side to things. I doubt I can separate the two sides now.
.
With the advanced stuff, I was a bit hesitant at first, but I don’t have any negative feedback, so I guess I’ll follow my current trend of:
1 or 2 posts for the masses to bring them up to speed,
then a series of posts that no-one will understand if they haven’t read the basic posts.
This is exactly what I’m doing with my current focus on the ego, and seems to be doing well – at least I’ve had no negative feedback.
Thanks for the comment, and stay tuned!
don’t know if this is the right place – but congrats on being named in the best blogs in PsyBlog!
Thanks, I just saw it myself, very humbling. Noticed you were on the list as well, good job =)
Hi Albert.
I like the video inspirations, I think that included in a poignant post they could be a very positive addition to your site.
I also like your series posts but think that you should space them out more, with maybe one or two other types of posts between each installment of the series, clumping them together can affect readership from people who may not be entirely turned on by whatever the series topic is.
If you want to intersperse the urban stuff with the spiritual stuff, it would be a good idea. Sticking to the monk stuff until that well runs dry and then switching over to the urban will definitely cause so people to stop returning.
I think a more modern approach to applying spirituality is what people are looking for. Your name says this, but your name is always changeable if you want to more specifically tailor your focus.
Hope this all finds you well.
Blessings,
Vera Nadine
Hey Vera, thanks for the suggestions, brilliant! I never thought about it that way. Now that I have a bit more free time I hope to spend a bit more time at your blog and the others, I have a bit of catching up to do!
18 yr old male, I like the ‘monk’ side as its the most important, although the ‘urban’ side has proved very useful. But the ‘monk’ stuff should remain the majority as you write it superbly. No guest authors lol there are other webistes for tem.
haha, thanks jag
Trackbacks / Pingbacks
show trackbacks