Going on Retreat
October 14, 2008 · by Christine
How necessary it is for monks to work in the fields, in the rain, in the sun, in the mud, in the clay, in the wind: these are our spiritual directors and our novice-masters. They form our contemplation. They instill us with virtue. They make us as stable as the land we live in. -Thomas Merton
On this night of the full moon, I am off for a few days of retreat with my spiritual director Abbess Petunia. I will be listening to the wind, rain, and sunlight for their sacred whispers. I will root myself among trees and allow the call of my night dreams to spill forth again into my life.
I am much in need of silence right now. See you back here on Monday. I’ll share some of what I discover.
-Christine Valters Paintner @ Abbey of the Arts
(in the meantime, make sure to scroll down and read this week’s Sacred Artist Interview!)
Posted in Contemplative Living, Nature | 11 Comments »
October 14th, 2008 at 1:25 am
Have a blessed time, you and the Abbess.
October 14th, 2008 at 3:17 am
Beginning a retreat journey on the full moon is a beautiful idea. May your silence be full.
Bless you,
Bette.
October 14th, 2008 at 7:25 am
Note to the Abbess: you need only be present [and I suspect you are very good at that! ]
May these next days ebb and flow, be fallow and fertile.
Blessed be.
October 14th, 2008 at 8:29 am
my own heart relaxed by simply reading the words of your retreat. enjoy, dear friend. i hope this glorious fall weather follows you to your destination. xoxoxoox
October 14th, 2008 at 9:25 am
“How necessary it is for monks to work in the fields, in the rain, in the sun, in the mud” — love that quote!! Am moving into retreat mode also. Have reclaimed an artistic journey, i thought had reached an impasse, but which opened unexpectedly recently with the help a martial arts author ?!?!
October 14th, 2008 at 12:59 pm
i’m thinking of you with empty hands, Christine … and of those hands dipping into a luminous pool of moonlight and meditation … as you bring your hands to your lips, may what you drink and how you drink be enough to sustain you.
October 14th, 2008 at 7:31 pm
Blessings on your retreat. I leave Friday morning myself for some wonderful, holy Native American land in Michigan for a long weekend retreat.
October 15th, 2008 at 6:56 am
i love when this happens …
first thing this morning, after leaving you my comment last evening, i come running headlong into this image from a woman i’ve never known before. i’ll take this confirmation as a big fat YES!!!!!
http://www.rachelpearsey.com/Art/Portfolios/Pages/Advent_Paintings.html#19
drink deep, Christine!
October 15th, 2008 at 11:29 am
Blessings.
October 17th, 2008 at 4:56 pm
Blessings to you and the abbess. I am missing you!
October 19th, 2008 at 4:29 pm
You are all really too wonderful.