It takes clear space, contemplative time, and good conversation to engage complex problems.  Busyness, consumerism, and their accompanying anxiety can easily become substitutes for meaning and clarity of purpose, numbing our capacity to act responsively.  Allowing us to be selectively attentive and to filter out complexity and ambiguity, they foster superficial thinking, short-term perspectives, and [...]

Posted in Abbey Online Classes, Art, Creativity, & Spirituality Retreat, Lenten Online Retreat | 3 Comments »

“I want to step through the door full of curiosity” -Mary Oliver

I returned from my pilgrimage two weeks ago and found piles of work awaiting me.  Some of it was wondrous, meaningful, rich work like co-leading a retreat for the threshold time of All Saints and beginning a new online class on Benedictine Spiritual Practices.  [...]

Posted in Abbey Shop, Art, Creativity, & Spirituality Retreat | 10 Comments »

I am leaving again to lead a retreat on Honoring Our Ancestors.  These next few days are a threshold time in the Celtic calendar, when the veil between worlds is said to be especially thin.  I have been lingering in this thin place for the last month and am eager to join with a group [...]

Posted in Art, Creativity, & Spirituality Retreat, Pilgrimage | 3 Comments »

A quick note to let you know that my Teaching Calendar has been updated with several upcoming retreat & workshop opportunities.
A reminder to join Betsey Beckman and me for a wonderful Art & Movement retreat to Honor Our Ancestors over the weekend of Halloween, Samhain, and All Saint’s.  This will be a beautiful time of [...]

Posted in Art, Creativity, & Spirituality Retreat, Monastic Spirituality | 1 Comment »

With the season of autumn comes the invitation to shed what no longer energizes you and make inner space for new possibilities!  Consider three opportunities to support you in your creative explorations:
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Join Kayce Stevens Hughlett and me for a monthly * Soul Care Supervision Group engaging the arts *. If you are in a ministry of soul care [...]

Posted in Art, Creativity, & Spirituality Retreat | 1 Comment »

I invite you to consider joining Betsey Beckman and me for an art and movement retreat for All Saint’s and All Soul’s on Honoring Our Ancestors.  We will be gathering for three nights at St. Andrew’s Retreat House on the beautiful Hood Canal October 29-November 1, 2009.  Our $50 early registration discount is good until [...]

Posted in Art, Creativity, & Spirituality Retreat, Family Systems | 3 Comments »

In the early dawn of happiness
you gave me three kisses
so that I would wake up
to this moment of love

-Rumi, from “The Awakening”
Get up, I depend
on you utterly.
Everything you need
you had
the moment before
you were born.

-David Whyte, from “Waking”

Spring is the season when the earth awakens after her long slumber. It is the season associated with the [...]

Posted in Art, Creativity, & Spirituality Retreat | 6 Comments »

For those of you in the Seattle area, you are warmly invited to join me on one of the two retreat programs I am leading in the next month.
Saturday, April 25, 2009: A Mini-Retreat for Young Adults (age 21-35)
Exploring a Rhythm of Contemplation & Creativity
We will explore the ancient practice of lectio divina and creative expression.  [...]

Posted in Art, Creativity, & Spirituality Retreat | 2 Comments »

Two months from today (May 17-22, 2009) a dozen or so participants will gather at the beautiful Hood Canal (see photo above) in the height of spring here in the Northwest for five days of creative awakening.  I have been co-teaching this program with the delightful Betsey Beckman for four years now (and a previous [...]

Posted in Art, Creativity, & Spirituality Retreat | Comments Off

Now I am revealing new things to you
Things hidden and unknown to you
Created just now, this very moment.
Of these things you have heard nothing until now.
So that you cannot say, Oh yes, I knew this.
-Isaiah 48:6-7
There is lots of newness here at the Abbey.  In many ways it feels like spring has fully sprung (and [...]

Posted in Abbey Shop, Art, Creativity, & Spirituality Retreat, Creativity | 4 Comments »