Gossho! I have been asked recently what it means when I state that I am an Ordained Monk of the Waiest Order® and what exactly is the Waiest Order. Let me start by saying much of what I share are the words of Waiest® Pinnacle Robert Wiest. They can not be expressed more eloquently or simply.

Let me start by explaining what the Waiest® Discipline is and what it is not. The Waiest® Discipline is a way or a path that one chooses to follow. It is referred to as the art in which we train. We follow certain codes of conduct of natural law. Those codes include faith, honor, action and deeds. It is a personal discipline that acknowledges each journey is an individual one; yet every journey is part of the universal life journey we all follow. The way is simple. “Study what you will study, believe what you believe, journey to where you will journey, and not imposing your life on others and to each their own journey”. The Waiest Order® is not a religion. It is not a cult. The Way Order® is an organization that is dedicated to the pursuit of enlightenment. These are really nice words and thoughts, but what does it really mean?

Just every journey that an individual chooses is unique and personal, so to is what it means to be an Ordained Monk of the Waiest Order®. What I share is what it means to my journey, my faith, my honor, my actions and my deeds. I choose to travel my journey living by a strict code that involves discipline, awareness, honor, and spiritual enlightenment. Not when it is convenient; but rather as a way of life. It is a life long process of study and cultivation. It is about seizing opportunities to overcome the trials in life. Every day is an act of faith that walking the path I choose will allow me to become one with the journey. As I have chosen to live my life as a Waiest® Monk, there are times that my actions and deeds are not easy or without repercussion in the world of man. Honor is code that the Waiest® Order is based upon. I must be responsible for my own honor. It is a duty I must adhere to for me to find personal strength and personal freedom. It is only through taking responsibility for my honor that my actions and deeds can reflect upon my faith. It is only through my personal honor that I fully take responsibility of my own happiness and my own enlightenment.

An Ordained Monk of the Waiest® Order approaches life differently through engaging the world, seeking out the challenges of living rather than avoiding, overcomes personal limitations that block the path rather than changing paths and sees beyond the material into the spiritual through enlightenment within themselves. Being able to cut through illusions that seem to dictate and demand our attention in the world surrounding us, allows one to follow their own path, stand on their own two feet and create the most positive life journey where in all things truth can be found and it can be channeled into an experience to cultivate life energy.

How many times have I walked through life with blinders on saying someone else should do something about that injustice? Not my job man. I just don't want to cause waves and confrontation even though I know that it is wrong. It is okay to omit things – that is not really lying. Complained about the state of affair is the world is in, yet walked by someone reaching out for help. Taken for granted the beauty of a morning sunrise only to mumble the sun is in my eyes while driving. Complain about wanting more time, yet sit and watch three hours of sitcom television at night because am just too tired to do anything else. I have been guilty of all the above at different times in my life. Which is exactly why I chose to begin to find another path. After many years of my own personal journey, truly learning what honor means, what faith means and how they translate into my actions and my deeds – I found myself at The Way Center®.

Becoming a Waiest® Monk is not for everyone. Not everyone that studies Buddhism becomes a Buddhist either. It is a path, however, that everyone can journey upon, grow from, and find personal strength and freedom from. Each of us at one time or another have experienced enlightened moments. Enlightenment is a state of mental fitness that any can achieve for much longer than a moment. We are not meant just to survive day to day but to achieve a higher state of mind. The Way Path® offers a way to achieve that mental fitness. As much knowledge as any person can gain does not give wisdom. Wisdom only comes from the daily application of that knowledge to daily life. The Way Path® is a way to open the path throughout the day to allow the knowledge to be applied in simple ways that not only guru's and monks can use; but most importantly that everyone can learn, use, and apply. Which is how I began the journey.

If you would like further information regarding what The Way Order® is and what it means to become a Waiest® yourself, please visit us at http://www.waycenter.com/. We would love to have you share our journey.

Om, Shanti, Shanti, Shanti

Rev. Carla Goddard, M. Msc.

Waiest® Guide and Monk