There have been over 2000 participants in the free 7-day e-course on being a Monk in the World! Because of this enthusiastic response I will be offering a free series of monthly podcasts from November 2011 through June 2012.
Each month I will take one of the principles from the Monk Manifesto and offer some reflections from my own life and then lead a brief meditation all in a downloadable mp3 file for you (or you can listen right from this site).
The comment section is also open where you can leave your questions and have a conversation with your fellow monks about the month's topic. I would love to hear from you about what is meaningful and supportive to you in this series. So scroll to the bottom and submit your comment. Sometimes they will be held until I approve them if you haven't commented before, so please be patient if they don't appear right away.
2011-2012 Monthly Podcast Themes
The first principle of the Monk Manifesto states: "I commit to finding moments each day for silence and solitude, to make space for another voice to be heard, and to resist a culture of noise and constant stimulation."
Part One: Christine's reflections on silence (19 minutes)
Download the mp3 file here or listen online:
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Part Two: A guided lectio divina meditation (13 minutes)
Download the mp3 file here or listen online:
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Song recommendation: Be (still and know that I am God) by Rivers Voice (click the link and then press play by the title to listen)
You can purchase the individual song for download at Amazon
The second principle of the Monk Manifesto states: "I commit to radical acts of hospitality by welcoming the stranger both without and within. I recognize that when I make space inside my heart for the unclaimed parts of myself, I cultivate compassion and the ability to accept those places in others."
Part One: Christine's Reflections on Inner Hospitality (13 minutes)
Download the mp3 file here or listen online:
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Part Two: The practice of welcoming prayer (12 minutes)
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The third principle of the Monk Manifesto states: "I commit to cultivating community by finding kindred spirits along the path, soul friends with whom I can share my deepest longings, and mentors who can offer guidance and wisdom for the journey."
Part One: Christine's Reflections on Community (14 minutes)
Download the mp3 file here or listen online:
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Part Two: The Practice of a Relational Examen Prayer (9 minutes)
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The fourth principle of the Monk Manifesto states: "I commit to cultivating awareness of my kinship with creation and a healthy asceticism by discerning my use of energy and things, letting go of what does not help nature to flourish."
Part One: Christine's reflections on kinship with creation (20 minutes)
Download the mp3 file here or listen online:
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Part Two: An invitation to a contemplative walk (8 minutes)
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Video Bonus: Last June I shared a video meditation I created on the elements accompanied by Peter Mayer's beautiful song "Holy Now."
The fifth principle of the Monk Manifesto states: "I commit to bringing myself fully present to the work I do, whether paid or unpaid, holding a heart of gratitude for the ability to express my gifts in the world in meaningful ways."
Part One: Christine's reflections on work (19 minutes)
Download the mp3 file here or listen online:
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Part Two: A meditation on work (13+ minutes)
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The sixth principle of the Monk Manifesto states: "I commit to rhythms of rest and renewal through the regular practice of Sabbath and resist a culture of busyness that measures my worth by what I do."
Part One: Christine's reflections on Sabbath (16 minutes)
Download the mp3 file here or listen online:
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Part Two: Sabbath practices (6 minutes)
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The seventh principle of the Monk Manifesto states: "I commit to a lifetime of ongoing conversion and transformation, recognizing that I am always on a journey with both gifts and limitations."
Thank you for this generous gift!
Yes, indeed what a generous gift to us and for us to pass on
Thank you.
A deep bow of gratitude to you, Christine, for this wonderful gift. Herzlichen dank!
Oh how lovely, to hear your voice again through this medium, a free offering, inviting us into silence and reflection. Thank your Christine.
Thanks! I am so excited to be able of this!
again thanks
Thank you. I look forward to future times of guidance!!
Thank you Christine for your generous gift and helping me be a monk in the world. ~ Elaine
What a lovely way to move into the quiet months… Thank you, Christine.
lovely!! just what I needed at 5:30 on a Friday after a long week.
Thank you for your gifts!!
Such a beautiful gift! Thank you, Christine!
Thank you Christine! Your ongoing caring, encouragement and input form the base from which I try to live as a monk in the world.
What a lovely way to move into the quiet months of winter, reflection and hibernation. Thank you for this beautiful gift of voice and meditation.
Jennifer
Thank you!
Thank you, Christine. What a very generous gift you offer to us. I look forward to being a participant. Peace and much love. Jenny
I too want to thank you. This is so helpful as I work my way through your books on this new journey.
With gratitude,
Becky
I cannot access these files (probably mediafire requires a faster connection than I have). Can you post them as a regular podcast, for instance, via iTunes?
Tracy, I will look into this as a possibility sometime later this week. Thanks for letting me know.
Thanks. Today it seems to be working. But it would be great if I could just "subscribe" like any other podcast and new episodes would come down automatically.
from my heart to yours… thank you Christine for this beautiful gift!
Thank you for sharing this, Christine. The song at the end was like a big, shining cherry on a delectable (de lectio ?) cupcake!!
I'm in the middle of my 6th cycle of chemo for metastatic breast cancer. Thank you for this wonderful gift Christine. I just 'marinated' in a sweet time with your lectio on Psa 46 – i feel like I'm just come out of a warm bath and been wrapped in a soft blanket of Divine love. Blessings on you.
Thank You so much Christine for sharing this gift with us!!
I am an extravert who feels very called to Contemplative prayer and lifestyle. I work in the church as a music minister ….I too wrote a song "Be Still" over 30 years ago.( I'll have to send it to you)..I LOVED this version of this great Psalm and using it as a meditation is perfect!
Keep my husband and I in prayer as we discern retirement in June and a possible move to Vermont …to a more contemplative community. ( Housing market?) I know it is all in God's hands.
Peace and love to you !
hi Patricia, I would love to hear your song! Sending prayers for your transition.
Christine, thank you so much for going the podcast route. I love to listen as I walk, so your podcast can be part of a walking meditation. Blessings!
I finally have the technology to fully participate in this e-course. Thank you for the opportunity and the gentle expert guidance.
Delighted to find this gift. Thank you. Bring on the winter!
Thank you for this wonderful reflection and reminder of God's gift of silence.
I have found a treasure here! I am a contemplative Nun living in the world due to a diagnosis of Lou Gehrigs Disease. I am facing the Autumn/Winter of my life now, and your Monk in the World has given me exactly what I need at this time. As I face the slow debilitating of this disease, I need to find that deepest place within myself and in God. Thank you for what you are doing. I am totally on board with you and this community.