Dearest dancing monks, artists, and pilgrims,
We hope you have had a restful and inspiring summer. We always cherish this time of quiet reflection and dreaming into the new academic year of programs. I have savored having some time to simply be and deepen into the sacred rhythms of life.
Out of this wellspring of rest, flows forth our calendar for the coming months which you can find here. Special thanks to our always amazing program coordinator Melinda Thomas for her wonderful work putting that together. So much happens at the Abbey due to her efforts!
I am excited for the variety of programs we will be offering including a series of Deep Rest retreats tied to the seasonal thresholds, programs to help support you to cultivate resistance, renewal, and resilience in challenging times, and we are bringing back some favorite programs like Way of the Monk, Path of the Artist which is the companion retreat to my book The Artist’s Rule.
My newest book Give Me a Word: The Promise of an Ancient Practice to Guide Your Year will be published in September and is available for pre-order now. (You can also find a free reflection guide here). We will have a companion retreat in community for the book during the Advent and Christmas seasons. We have been engaging in this practice for many years together and I am delighted to continue to deepen into it as a community.
Help support our 20th year of ministry! We also have our Sustainers Circle again which starts now and carries through June 2026. This is an opportunity each year for those of you who want to support us in an ongoing way and who love to avail of our many wonderful programs.
Our Sustainers help support our prayer cycles, our Lift Every Voice book club, and to offer a scholarship rate for all of our programs and additional scholarship support if needed. Read our Financial Access philosophy and if you have the resources to help support the participation of those with less means through donations, we are deeply grateful. U.S.-based supporters have a tax-deductible option as well.
I am so humbled by this work in all of the best ways. The richest part for me is conversation and collaboration. While much of our contemplative journey unfolds in the solitude of the caves of our hearts, just as essential are the dialogues we have with one another. Listening and letting ourselves be changed, shaped, and transformed by the images another person carries in their inner sanctuary is the gift of community.
True contemplation always leads us into deeper intimacy with others, it always kindles a growing love for the world. I am blessed by the wisdom of our many guest teachers and by all of you who show up and participate in our programs in various ways, offering your own wise insights and compassionate care to one another.
As part of our 20th year we are currently working on the video podcasts for our Cultivating Seeds of Liberation prayer cycle (available in 2026). We also plan to put together a book with the text versions of all six of our prayer cycles this fall and a book with all 50 of our dancing monk icons in the spring. These will have a short reflection on each dancing monk and saint, as well as creative invitations and prayers.
I am taking an extended break from teaching through November to allow more time for writing and for dreaming into the future for the Abbey. In the meantime, we still have many wonderful programs being offered with a terrific gathering of wise teachers, artists, and guides. And we will continue sending out these weekly (as well as the daily option) newsletters with reflections and resources for contemplative and creative living.
With great and growing love,
Christine
Christine Valters Paintner, OblSB, PhD, REACE
Image © Christine Valters Paintner. Brigit’s Garden, Galway, Ireland
