My biggest realization with that was a few weeks staying at a
Russian Orthodox Monastery when I was 27 or so. Wasn't long at
all. But with plenty of time to think and surrounded by a small
amount of really nice people, all with southern accents (None of
us were Russian - all Americans - but I was the only one from
New Jersey) - I felt it.
I have a notebook somewhere full of notes about the nature of
"stuff" and love and "niceness" (which Epicurus would call
friends) and got a small taste of Epicurian life.
And - it's true.
My life-falls-apart/retirement plan is precisely Epicurian.
Considering his ways are codified and maintained quite well in
various monasteries [the monasteries in the Eastern Orthodox
side are all quite similar, not split up into different types as
in Roman Catholicism) - I'd probably go that route.
Mind you, I'm not religious. But I'd do what I'm asked and put
my all into it as authentically as I can.
The prayer Schedule was spread throughout the day - starting at
4am - and I enjoy singing, so it was nice.
There was always coffee around and simple work to be done, and
plenty of time to study stuff, think, and chit chat.
If there was a long-standing Epicurian community around, I might
consider joining that instead. But I don't think they really
exist, not with stability.
