

Stories
The Monk Who Made Me Wait

Liam Chen
May 27, 2025
In a monastery deep within Bali’s highlands, I once waited six hours to meet a monk. I sat quietly. Drank tea. Listened to birds. It wasn’t until nightfall that he emerged, smiling, and said, “Now you are ready to listen.”
What followed wasn’t a lecture, but a shared silence that taught me more than words ever could.
Some teachings don’t come fast. But when they arrive, they stay.