How to Live Like an Essene

The Essenes were a Jewish sect that lived from the 2nd century B.C.E. until around the 1st century C.E. Today, the Essenes are known for their most modest and pious lifestyle and rigorous moral code.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

1. Avoid idolatry. Observe the Sabbath and practice important religious rituals, such as circumcision, from the Torah with unwavering devotion.

2. Devote your livelihood to agriculture. Build household implements and tools. You daily life should be simple. Avoid the temptations of contemporary life and technology and never use your skills to build weapons.

3. Live in a hierarchical community. Resist marriage and most forms of contact between the sexes. Use adoption to perpetuate the community, as the Essenes did.

4. Implement a strict code of initiation. Candidate must undergo a probationary period of 3 years once they've reached a certain age (usually 21) and have attained a level of piety.

5. Cleanse yourself both physically and spiritually throughout the day. Observe rigorous cleansing rituals. Wash your feet and hands before meals, before entering anyone's home and before prayer. Use ritual cleansing to wash others' feet and hands as a sign of close spiritual friendship and brotherhood.

[offgrid]

on 1/31/2009 Very interesting. I try to live like this.