What Monks Knew (that We Don’t) for Good Health

Me holding on for dear life on the boat

The motorboat was tossed about like a plaything in the hands of a giant boy in a huge bathtub. I was glad I had not eaten breakfast. To avoid tossing my cookies (though my stomach was empty, I knew this was still a distinct possibility), I decided to look out toward the horizon and to face the direction we were moving in. (I use this strategy when riding the subway, too.) I carefully made my way to the helm where the captain was.

He was a weathered man, about 70 years of age and after a little chit chat (very little because he was a no-nonsense kind of man) he told me that he had been leading boat trips for decades. “On a scale of 1-10,” I asked him, “how would you rank these waves?” I needed to know if I was overreacting or if the sea was as rough as I imagined. “Four or five” he answered.

Me and cute little puffins on Skellig Michael

Okay so it wasn’t an EPIC storm or situation, by any stretch, but I felt justified in my assessment that the sea was indeed a bit rough. The good news is: the captain did not mar his record of successful landings at Skellig Michael. We soon lashed our boat to a modest mooring and disembarked. We had about 3-4 hours to now explore the islet (little island).

Skellig Michael is located on the most western point of Ireland (and actually the westernmost point of Europe, as well). It took us only an hour or so to get there by motorboat this past July. But centuries ago, it took a good 7-8 hours to make it there and those voyages was usually undertaken during the summer months, when the sea and the weather were most cooperative.

The monks' bee-hive dwelling places and the Wailing Woman rock 

But who would take the trouble to go there, back in the day, to this inhospitable rock exposed to the elements, so far from civilization?

Monks, that’s who. In the 6th century, Gaelic Christian monks established a settlement there and it endured for centuries. A community of 12 monks would live there at a time and it became so popular, a waiting list was set up, so that once a monk died, another would come and take his place.

I’m certain the monks were eager to go there because of their sense of calling, a desire to intercede for the world from this remote vantagepoint. What they may have not realized is that, while the island life was perfect for their holy mission, it was also a blessing for their physical state.

This is what has inspired this blog post. But I probably should have entitled it, “What the Monks Didn’t Know about Health, but that God knew About Health, that We are Learning about now.” (A bit clunky, I know.)

The point is this. Their experience on the island nurtured them more than just spiritually.

Below are five of the monks’ health hacks, as I see them, which I am convinced helped them thrive and fulfill their holy mission. And for each of the hacks, I’ve added a way for us to apply their example nowadays, wherever in the world we may live.

1.  Nature nourishes both body and soul. Surrounded by puffins (the cutest birds I’ve ever seen), the fierce ocean, and glorious sunrises and sunsets—nature’s beauty nourished them with its beauty and wildness. Translated to 2024: get outside as often as possible.

2. Real food is all you need. The monks’ diet consisted only in whole, real, organic, local food: primarily seals, eggs, fish, and produce from their modest garden. Translated to 2024: Eat more natural, single-ingredient foods. Avoid the packaged and canned stuff.

3. Hard work builds the body and spirit. The beehive-shaped buildings were cobbled together (without mortar) over time to create a kitchen, chapel, and small dwellings for sleeping. Steps to the settlement were built over time on two sides of the island. Translated to 2024: Work up a sweat. Do something tangible with your hands.

4. Purpose fulfills the human heart. The monks’ primary work was to pray. They even built little platforms off the side of the highest points on the skellig to do that important work. There, they were focused and set intentions for the betterment of humanity. Translated to 2024: Your goals should be bigger than just padding your bank account and buying a sweet ride. Make sure your dreams and work help the world, not just you.

5. Community. Though the monks were set apart from greater society, they had each other. They literally couldn’t get away from one another. They had to work out their misunderstandings to dwell in harmony. Translated to 2024: Lean in love toward those who attack or misunderstand you. Seek out people to stick with, through thick and through thin.

The monks knew this life was good. Hence, the waiting list. But we don’t have to wait to live this way. We can do so today. It may mean taking steps like replacing some virtual connections to develop more real life ones, simplifying our over-complicated lives (and schedules) for a healthier, happier pace. We don’t have to move to the Skellig to make these changes. But if you want to do it, I know a captain who can get you there.