“I was within a month of having my head shaved, taking my vows, and becoming a monk,” David Bowie has said about that period of his life. But, he was torn and so sought the counsel of a Buddhist teacher, usually assumed to be Trungpa — though that’s now been refuted. The teacher replied to the famous young seeker that he should remain a musician, for that was how he could be of the most benefit.
This is a quote from a Lion’s Roar article, That time David Bowie almost became a Buddhist monk.
On a personal note I have to say that there’s an enormous difference between being 98% sure that you want to be a monk, and 100% sure. I had a similar experience, and was similarly told, “If you aren’t 100% sure that you want to do this — no sex, no alcohol, eat whatever food we happen to serve, live by a predetermined schedule — don’t do it.” Seeing that I wanted to take the bald girl staying in the room next to me out for margaritas after the evening’s planned meditation session, I decided it was best that I leave, and save the full monty monastic experience for a future lifetime.