*JUST ADDED: A NEW E-COURSE for LENT*
Join me for a transformative journey through the ancient contemplative practices of lectio divina, centering prayer, and praying the hours.  This Lenten season, create a supported retreat for yourself.  Click the image below for more details.
I have taught several different versions of this Benedictine spirituality course with enthusiastic [...]

Posted in Abbey Online Classes, Contemplative Living, Lectio Divina, Lenten Online Retreat, Monastic Spirituality, Praying the Hours | Comments Off

**Click here for an Advent and Winter Solstice Visual Meditation**
*****

Click link above for more details
The WINTER & SPRING SESSIONS for * Way of the Monk, Path of the Artist* are now both FULL

Space is Available for the SUMMER SESSION – * July 19-August 29, 2010 *

Click link above for more details
Space is still [...]

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Inside everyone
is a great shout of joy
waiting to be born.
Even with the summer
so far off
I feel it grown in me
now and ready
to arrive in the world.

-David Whyte (excerpted from “Winter of Listening”)
Thank you to everyone who participated in this week’s Poetry Party on the theme of “Sharing Our Deepest Joy” – make sure to pour [...]

Posted in Fun, Poetry | 1 Comment »

If You Want
If
you want,
the Virgin will come walking down the road
pregnant with the holy,
and say…
“I need shelter for the night, please take me inside your heart,
My time is so close.”
Then, under the roof of your soul, you will witness the sublime
intimacy, the divine, the Christ
taking birth
forever,
as she grasps your hand for help, for each of [...]

Posted in Advent Christmas Epiphany | 4 Comments »

Welcome to our Poetry Party #42!
I am posting this week’s Poetry Party since the third week of Advent begins today! I select an image and suggest a theme/title and invite you to respond with your poems or other reflections. Add them in the comments section and a link to your blog (if you have one).  Make sure to check [...]

Posted in Poetry Party Invitation | 20 Comments »

The following reflection is excerpted from my latest Reflective Art Journal – Crossing the Threshold: New Year, New Beginnings – visit the Abbey Shop to order your copy today filled with reflections and suggestions for a creating a meaningful ritual for entering into the New Year ahead.
______________
I am fascinated by the human desire for renewal [...]

Posted in Cycles and Seasons, zine journal | 5 Comments »

TWO INVITATIONS for my Seattle-area friends facilitated by two of my favorite people who I am blessed to work with – Betsey Beckman and Kayce Hughlett.  I am planning to attend both and hope to see you there as well!
*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Advent Evening of Prayer
The Word Becomes Flesh: Longing for the New Creation
Thursday, December 10, 2009
7-9:00 P.M. [...]

Posted in Abbey Online Classes, Fun | 1 Comment »

Gospel According to Saint Luke (3:1-6)
John went throughout the whole region of the Jordan,
proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins,
as it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah:
A voice of one crying out in the desert:
“Prepare the way of the Lord,
make straight his paths.
Every valley shall be [...]

Posted in Advent Christmas Epiphany, Pilgrimage | 3 Comments »

*The invitation of the first week of Advent is to awaken (click the link to read last Sunday’s reflection)*

© Christine Valters Paintner at Abbey of the Arts:
Transformative Living through Contemplative & Expressive Arts

Posted in Advent Christmas Epiphany | 1 Comment »