by brer_momonga » Tue Oct 25, 2011 12:32 pm
This retreat center has really planted a seed in my head. I think of it often though I have never visited it and follow what news of it is posted on the YMAA website since the call for the first disciples to apply for the then 10-year program cirriculum.
I remember when I finished college I didn't really know what to do with myself. Those were my wilderness years I suppose - I think this stage is very common among men in the early-mid 20's.
Quite honestly I still don't know what to do with myself professionally, but I'm part of the working week now and have a marriage and a mortgage - and probably little ones in the not too distant future. I would not give up my life with my wife. It, however, makes me very happy that there is interest in this program and that Dr. Yang is dedicating so much of his resources to it. Also, I should be dontating some $$$ each year to the program...
Anyway, thinking back at a less than focused college career, I was working dead-end jobs and sort of wasted away until I finally decided that I would either join the military or the Peace Corps. My best friend and I were both hungry for a full-time program that would help (or let's face it "force") us to develop discipline so we decided to make this "leap" at the same time in our lives. Since he did not have a college degree or an associates degree that was needed for a Peace Corps program at the time, he joined the military. I applied to Peace Corps first and was invited to volunteer for an assignment in West Africa. It was a post in the bush and it was a great experience - but I'm not here to waffle on about it.
Still, if a 2-3 year program existed at the retreat center, it may be a godsend for mid 20-somethings who aren't quite sure what to do with themselves. It would be an experience that challenges participants to live and work with less, work hard, develop leadership skills, and pull their part of the weight of a traditional community. It will be interesting to see what the retreat center looks like in 25 years...
I hope to visit the retreat center one day and though running and promoting this project must take up 200% of Dr. Yang's time, I'm glad he still teaches seminars and keeps the gates of the retreat open for visiting students and even non-YMAA students. I will attend my first seminar with Dr. Yang in February and I'm really looking forward to practicing with him.