I Will Live as a Monk in the World
I awaken early as usual,
have my little pot of breakfast and feed the dog,
then she makes circles and squeals,
knowing what is next.
Morning prayer, walking the canal and river,
quiet before the city hums,
she stops every few feet to sniff
messages left for her on blades of grass
and tree trunks,
and I wonder at the messages
imprinted here for me too,
a feather floating,
a leaf on my path,
an acorn fallen.
I pray with my feet,
smell dawn’s freshness,
the possibility of here and now,
the swan glides up the water
and the duck quacks a warning
to his companions,
the blackbird does what he must do
and I return home singing amen.
—Christine Valters Paintner, What Enters Through the Open Heart
Dearest dancing monks, artists, and pilgrims,
What a gift to be among other monks in the world, who know that praying is something we can do wherever we are and that the earth is our original monastery, offering us gifts at every turn.
Here at Abbey of the Arts we don’t prescribe a structure to follow, but more of a spirit or rhythm to integrate over time. Our Monk Manifesto and prayer cycles, our programs and books, our book club and self-study offerings, all help to support this way of being. One that values silence and times of solitude, moves slowly when possible and savors, cherishes community and kinship with creation, offers hospitality to the holy other both within and without, creates for the joy of it, knows we are on a lifelong journey of always growing, always learning, and more.
As the world continues its burning and cruelty, we will lament together the places and policies that enact harm, and work in the ways available to us to resist and bring justice. And we will continue to remember beauty as nourishment to guide us and love as the foundation of everything. When we waver or feel wobbly, we can turn to one another and be reminded of the goodness of people.
I think we can sometimes underestimate the value of kindness and beauty in times like these. How much we need tenderness and places of vulnerability, where empathy is cherished, and we lift up another world together. Beauty helps to light the way toward a new world, helps to inspire our imaginations to see a life that centers care for the everyone, especially the most vulnerable. Benedict’s Rule highlights that the most vulnerable in the community are to be cared for by those who are more able. The ancient monks sought out the contemplative path to deepen their expression of love in the world.
I am imagining us joining hands and hearts across the globe, living in resistance to the dominant culture that demands speed and productivity, exploitation and extraction, and a projection of strength at all costs. In our little cloisters, wherever we are, we can create a vision of a new way of being. We can live this out as much as possible with our families, friends, co-workers, and communities.
If you are able to help us support and sustain this work—especially our free resources like our prayer cycles (the video version of Cultivating Seeds of Liberation will be released this fall) and our Lift Every Voice book club, and the many partial and full scholarships we offer to maintain full financial access—please consider joining our Sustainers Circle for 2026-2027. The doors are closing for this tomorrow. There are a range of support levels offered and we are enormously grateful for whatever you are able to offer to help us continue to keep this work going and practice radical hospitality.
If this is out of your financial means right now, please know of our gratitude for all the other ways you support us through participation in our programs, sharing about us with friends, posting reviews about my books, and a hundred other small but significant ways of expressing your love for this community.
With great and growing love,
Christine
Christine Valters Paintner, OblSB, PhD, REACE
Image©️Christine Valters Paintner | Galway, Ireland
