Reflections

I am delighted to share another beautiful submission to the Monk in the World guest post series from the community. Read on for Judith Jessop’s reflection on solitude and community. A sabbatical is a precious gift. In my tradition it arrives like clockwork every 7 years for those in ordained ministry. The gift needs handling with care … and joy.  A prospectus is required – a sense of direction or purpose.  Waymarkers, if not a destination, in view; although, after 3 months, you’re back to work, offering out of whatever you may have become during the time of travel. My

I am delighted to share another beautiful submission to the Monk in the World guest post series from the community. Read on for Christine Lee Smith’s reflection “Contemplative Presence in Creative Practice.” One afternoon while serving as a TA in an introductory photography course during my MFA program, a student asked me about the thesis body of work I was making. As it was my final year in the program I was already deep into the making of the project, but not yet full of articulate language around what I was pursuing in this photography-based portrait project. So I paused,

I am delighted to share another beautiful submission to the Monk in the World guest post series from the community. Read on for Kathleen Bolduc’s reflection Unplugged. As a spiritual director and retreat leader, I love to guide retreatants in unplugging from technology and plugging into rich rhythms of the spiritual disciplines and the harmonies of nature. Photography as contemplative practice, Lectio Divina, Visio Divina, and contemplative prayer are part of my well-worn path.  A teacher can only teach well that which she knows well, so these practices are the leaven of my daily life; enabling a daily rising, feeding my soul