TRAININGYour journey, your pace
Testimonials
Monk Life Thailand (MLT)
Beau Drury (Australia)
MLP # 19
“Ordaining as a monk for 35 days in Thailand at the MonkLife program of iMONASTERY was one of the most powerful decisions I’ve ever made. Meditation stopped being something I “did” and became a tool to cleanse and purify my mind. I genuinely believe every man should do this at least once in their life, if not more.
I’d do it again without hesitation. It gave me something I’ll carry for the rest of my life.
I went out there to disconnect from the world… and ended up meeting myself.”
Sam Marks (USA)
MLP # 13
“My time at iMonastery in July 2024 was one of the most meaningful experiences of my life. Stepping away from the noise, pressure, and constant stimulation of modern life gave me the space to slow down, reflect deeply, and reconnect with what actually matters.
Living alongside the monks, following the daily routines, meditating for hours each day, and practicing simplicity brought a level of clarity and peace I hadn’t experienced in years. What surprised me most was that monk life wasn’t about escaping life. It was about learning how to live with greater awareness, gratitude, patience, and presence.
The experience helped me re-evaluate success, happiness, and the direction of my life. I left feeling calmer, more grounded, and with a much deeper understanding of myself. I’m incredibly grateful to the monks and the entire team at iMonastery for creating such a welcoming and authentic environment. It’s an experience I believe every person could benefit from at least once in their life.”
Kevin Lidin (Sweden)
MLP # 8
“Ordaining as a monk in Thailand was one of the most powerful experiences of my life.
Monk Life helped me see the reality of my existence and reconnect with the most fundamental parts of life: the breath, the present moment, and the simple fact that I am alive on this planet.
It taught me what gratitude, contentment, and peace actually feel like. Not just as ideas to understand intellectually, but as real emotions to experience directly.”
Mark van Ogtrop (The Netherlands)
MLP # 0
“I am very grateful to be invited to join this programme. I now realise that I should have done this much earlier in my life, as it was so impactful, but as the saying goes: it’s never too late. Allow me to explain then the two journeys: the physical and materialistic one and the mental/spiritual one.”
Anthony Jude Tan (Singapore)
MLP # 0
“During those 21 days as a monk I really went through a rollercoaster of emotions, especially in receiving my morning alms. That the locals would wait to offer us food at the crack of dawn in the 9 degree cold made me emotional as I once again reflected on my life before now where I was swimming in unchecked privilege, whereas they lived simple lives but choose to give more than they take.”
Cameron Yarker (Australia)
MLP # 20
“I arrived at Monklife thinking I was taking a break from business and the noise of everyday life. What I discovered was something far more profound – an opportunity to reconnect with myself.”
As a business owner, husband, father and someone constantly focused on growth, goals and the next challenge, life had become a continual pursuit. Monklife provided the space to step away from that relentless pace and simply be present.
The experience challenged me in ways I didn’t expect. Living simply, following the daily routines, practising meditation and spending time in reflection stripped away many of the distractions and identities we often attach ourselves to. It became clear that much of our suffering comes not from our circumstances, but from our own minds.
What made the experience truly special was the authenticity of the monks and teachers. Their wisdom wasn’t theoretical – it was lived. Through their guidance, I gained practical tools to better manage stress, quieten my “monkey mind”, and approach life with greater gratitude and perspective.
One of the greatest gifts was learning that happiness isn’t found in achievement, status or possessions. It comes from being fully present, appreciating what you already have, and finding contentment within yourself.
I would highly recommend Monklife to anyone feeling overwhelmed by the pace of modern life, searching for clarity, or simply wanting to reconnect with what truly matters.
“Sometimes you need to step away from everything to realise that what you were searching for was already within you.”
Kirk Voronko (Ukraine)
MLP # 18
“I went to the monastery because I wanted to understand why the world seemed so cruel. At first, I didn’t really understand what I was doing there, but deep inside I felt that I was in the right place.
Everything in the monastery helped me find the answer I was looking for. The deep meditation sessions, the wisdom and kindness of the teachers, and the peaceful environment all gave me a feeling of being home.
By the end of my stay, something had changed. I stopped asking myself why the world is so cruel. Instead, I began asking a different question: why had I been seeing it that way?
This experience gave me a new perspective on life, and for that I am deeply grateful.”
Scott Breasseale (USA)
MLP # 18
“Before I was asked to write this testimonial about the Monk Life program, I spent a great deal of time thinking about how to put such a life-changing experience into words. The truth is, I’m not sure that’s even possible.
When I was ordained in July 2025, I expected to learn about Buddhism. What I didn’t expect was how much I would learn about myself.
Today, I am a happier, calmer, and more compassionate person. Each morning begins with mindfulness—taking time to understand my own thoughts and emotions before I begin the day. I read, I pray, I meditate, and I make a conscious effort to bring kindness, encouragement, and joy to every person I meet.
The greatest lesson I learned is that lasting change begins within. When I become more aware of my own thoughts, words, and actions, I naturally become more patient, more empathetic, and more present for others. It is a journey, not a destination, and I know I still have much to learn.
I often wonder where I would be today had I never made the decision to become ordained, and I honestly cannot imagine it.
What I do know is this: my purpose each day is to leave the people I meet feeling a little more hopeful, a little more peaceful, and a little more loved than they were before we met. If I can do that—even for one person—then it has been a good day.
For that gift, I will always be grateful 🙏🏽”
Kevin Fashola (USA)
MLP # 20
“The Monk Life Project was one of the most transformative experiences of my life. After years working in national security and high-pressure government roles, I came to the monastery searching for something deeper than professional success. Living simply, meditating daily, and learning directly from the monks gave me the clarity and stillness I didn’t realize I was missing.
The experience taught me that real peace doesn’t come from changing the world around you—it begins with understanding your own mind. I left with practical tools that continue to shape how I lead, make decisions, and relate to others every day.
I would wholeheartedly recommend the Monk Life Project to anyone seeking greater purpose, inner peace, and a more mindful way of living.”
Josh Lederman (USA)
MLP # 15
“Josh Lederman is an Emmy Award-winning journalist, writer and global affairs analyst. A longtime White House correspondent he spent nearly 15 years covering national security and politics for NBC News and The Associated Press, including frequent reporting from war zones in Ukraine, Gaza and Iraq. Josh appears regularly on BBC News, MS Now and other television networks. He also served as a fellow at Princeton University’s Center for International Security Studies.
After ordaining at iMONASTERY, Josh co-founded the Mindfulness in Politics Project in the U.S., helping professionals in politics and media manage stress, improve clarity and strengthen their resilience through evidence-based practices and meditation. He is also completing a two-year certification as a meditation teacher.”
Ash Edelman (Australia)
MLP # 14
“Stepping away from social media, daily pressures, and constant distractions gave me the space to truly meditate and discover a deeper sense of happiness. This experience exceeded all my expectations. It was the best decision of my life.”
Daniel Mejía (USA, Colombia)
MLP # 21, MIT # 3
“MonkLife gave me the tools to truly observe my mind instead of being controlled by it. The 30 days in the forest created the perfect environment to clear mental chatter through meditation, Buddhist teachings, and deep inner work. It was a masterclass in learning how to live life with more peace, awareness, and freedom.”
Anton Avest (Sweden)
MLP # 21, MIT # 3
“MonkLife helped me realise how much power we have on our minds. Meditation and Buddhism have helped me to truly heal and understand myself better. I am more comfortable with being with my thoughts and emotions, I don’t see my emotions as an enemy anymore. Thanks to the beautiful environment, teaching monks, sleeping in tents in nature, I am now more connected to myself than ever.”
Camillo Love (USA)
MLP # 21, MIT # 3
“I dropped everything to come here. I moved out of my apartment and quit my job so I could live this life. It was a big decision, but it felt right. Things are simple here, and I’ve learned to slow down and be present. It’s not always easy, but it’s real. I have no regrets about choosing this path.”
Christopher Smith Burananot (USA)
MLP # 0
“I can tell you from my personal experience that the arrow that I see now from this experience points directly at me and it always has been. The biggest problem that we all have is that we have accumulated so many layers of pain and suffering that we can never go deep enough within ourselves to find what it is we are always searching for. The only way I was able to understand this was to take this journey.”
Johannes Stosch (USA)
MLP # 18
“As a conductor, my life is built around sound: precision, tempo, the discipline of shaping every phrase for an audience. Spending a month at iMONASTERY in Thailand last July asked something entirely different of me: to sit in silence, let go of the need to perform, and simply be present. Wearing the robes and following the monastic schedule stripped away every title and expectation I usually carry into a room, and in that stillness I found a kind of listening I hadn’t practiced in years, not for the next note, but for my own mind.
That month reshaped how I return to music. I’ve carried its quiet discipline back into my rehearsals and my teaching, and into the ordinary hours between concerts. It was one of the most meaningful experiences of my life, and I’m honored to now support others considering the same journey.”
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