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Monks also probably live a longer live. I'm not sure it's worth it.

k__ 1y ago
No alcohol or nicotine and sleeping for the same period every day can go a long way. Might also avoid direct sun exposure, for good measure.
- graemep 1y ago
  Are we talking about the same monks? Christian monks? The people developed champagne, chartreuse and many other alcoholic drinks? Some also work outdoors.
  - k__ 1y ago
    Fair. Yet, many nuns look at least 10 years younger than their age.
- Bender 1y ago
  Also disciplined breathing techniques, Om chanting strengthens the lungs and regulates O2 flows. FWIW they do get sunlight. People need some sunlight. More specifically Mitochondria need sunlight or artificial sunlight from 600nm -> 1200nm.
gadders 1y ago
See also Eunuchs: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-19699266 https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-19699266 "Castration had a huge effect on the lifespans of Korean men, according to an analysis of hundreds of years of eunuch "family" records. They lived up to 19 years longer than uncastrated men from the same social class and even outlived members of the royal family."
- bluGill 1y ago
  Same family is likely not a useful comparison because lifestyle would be different. Eunuchs would be expected to serve the royal family, which implies plenty of food - not as good as the royals, but still plenty of it unlike their families back on the farm who lived closer to starvation at best and a bad year would cause a lot of deaths. At least that is what I'd expect, but I'm trying to extrapolate what I know of European history (acoup) to Korea. Anyone have better expertise able to talk about the experience of the different groups?
  - gadders 1y ago
    The report is linked. I guess it is a tricky study as they would have a job getting an RCT signed off.
graemep 1y ago
Monks seem to find fulfilment and happiness in their lives.
- Fluorescence 1y ago
  Do they? From documentaries I've seen of Christian monks, there is no talk of personal benefits and emotions like a self-help book, instead it's spiritual motivations about being compelled to follow a path of devotion in service to their faith. I get the impression that it's a hard life as such orders are dwindling and they report the deprivation of things they did since joining that we might find mundane like "going to buy music" (you can tell they joined pre '80s). I recall reading the rules of a Buddhist monastery and it was basically a compendium of all the bad things monks have done, written down to make it ambiguous it's off-limits. It did not give the suggestion of fulfilled people. It had a lengthy chapter of all the things you can't put your penis in: people, children, animals, dead things, clay vessels, fabric dolls, trees, holes in the wall, holes in the ground etc. Feels like some desperate rules-lawyering had happened over the years.
Projectiboga 1y ago
Actually religious communities with single genders have shorter lifespans.

k__ 1y ago

No alcohol or nicotine and sleeping for the same period every day can go a long way. Might also avoid direct sun exposure, for good measure.

graemep 1y ago
Are we talking about the same monks? Christian monks? The people developed champagne, chartreuse and many other alcoholic drinks? Some also work outdoors.
- k__ 1y ago
  Fair. Yet, many nuns look at least 10 years younger than their age.
Bender 1y ago
Also disciplined breathing techniques, Om chanting strengthens the lungs and regulates O2 flows. FWIW they do get sunlight. People need some sunlight. More specifically Mitochondria need sunlight or artificial sunlight from 600nm -> 1200nm.

gadders 1y ago

See also Eunuchs: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-19699266 https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-19699266 "Castration had a huge effect on the lifespans of Korean men, according to an analysis of hundreds of years of eunuch "family" records. They lived up to 19 years longer than uncastrated men from the same social class and even outlived members of the royal family."

bluGill 1y ago
Same family is likely not a useful comparison because lifestyle would be different. Eunuchs would be expected to serve the royal family, which implies plenty of food - not as good as the royals, but still plenty of it unlike their families back on the farm who lived closer to starvation at best and a bad year would cause a lot of deaths. At least that is what I'd expect, but I'm trying to extrapolate what I know of European history (acoup) to Korea. Anyone have better expertise able to talk about the experience of the different groups?
- gadders 1y ago
  The report is linked. I guess it is a tricky study as they would have a job getting an RCT signed off.

graemep 1y ago

Monks seem to find fulfilment and happiness in their lives.

Fluorescence 1y ago
Do they? From documentaries I've seen of Christian monks, there is no talk of personal benefits and emotions like a self-help book, instead it's spiritual motivations about being compelled to follow a path of devotion in service to their faith. I get the impression that it's a hard life as such orders are dwindling and they report the deprivation of things they did since joining that we might find mundane like "going to buy music" (you can tell they joined pre '80s). I recall reading the rules of a Buddhist monastery and it was basically a compendium of all the bad things monks have done, written down to make it ambiguous it's off-limits. It did not give the suggestion of fulfilled people. It had a lengthy chapter of all the things you can't put your penis in: people, children, animals, dead things, clay vessels, fabric dolls, trees, holes in the wall, holes in the ground etc. Feels like some desperate rules-lawyering had happened over the years.

Projectiboga 1y ago

Actually religious communities with single genders have shorter lifespans.