Origins of the Monastery by Erik Wiegardt

The Stoic monk is an individual who has devoted their life to intellectual and spiritual pursuits. He aspires to reach the ultimate goal of life with all his being by renouncing all that is not necessary to it. This intellectual asceticism is brought to a deliberate and rigorous level, as the Stoic monk prioritizes their training in Stoicism above all else.

The monks of The Stoic Monastery follow the monastic tradition, both East and West, of accepting men only. While there is no principle in Stoicism that requires men and women to be together on all occasions, The Stoic Monastery welcomes women to establish their own monastery in a spirit of friendship. It is important to note that The Stoic Monastery is not a Stoic school that denies women access to education, which would go against Stoic thought. The monastery looks forward to establishing partnerships with future female Stoic monks and working on joint projects.

At the BESM, one will find brothers dedicated to inner exploration and the evolution and enlightenment of the soul (the mystic monk). Others bring their academic research to their spiritual lives, and the range of Stoic monks may include intellectuals, artists, organizers, administrators, Samaritans, and more. Each individual has a dominant side, preference, and specialization, but what unites them all is a commitment to a rigorous Stoic practice.

In essence, the Stoic monk is a highly spiritual philosopher known for their dedication and ascetic Stoic practice, which they pursue mostly in their own monastery of one. The online monastery provides a means for them to connect and study with their brother-prokoptons, as they all endeavor to walk a similar journey. It is worth noting that outside the monastery, the Stoic monk is engaged with the world just like any other Stoic.