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Monk in the World Guest Post: Mary Francis Drake

I am delighted to share another beautiful submission to the Monk in the World guest post series from the community. Read on for Mary Francis Drake’s poetry on “beauty, grit, and grace.” I call my poetry ‘soul snapshots’ as they reflect a contemplation and insight of a particular moment in time. These everyday moments open to the inner gaze to reveal the sacred gifts that surround and imbue the stuff of life. I have chosen two poems from my collection called, ‘beauty, grit and grace’ (2016, Lulu Publishing). Toast & TeaSimple morning pleasuresSteaming cup warms hands and heartLashings of butter on crispy

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Abbess love notes

The Medial One and the Women Mystics ~ A Love Note from Your Online Abbess

Dearest dancing monks, artists, and pilgrims, For Lent I am so excited to finally share the wisdom of seven medieval women mystics who lived through their own challenging times.  These visionaries received their insight and images from waking dreams, voices, and bodily sensations that often overcome them in the moment. Toni Wolff, who was Carl Jung’s colleague, first called this way of knowing “medial.” She described the medial woman as one who stands in the liminal realm, receiving visions for personal and collective healing. While Wolff calls this archetype the “medial woman,” I prefer to change it slightly to the “Medial One” to

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Monk in the World Guest Post: Richard Bruxvoort Colligan

I am delighted to share another beautiful submission to our Monk in the World guest post series from the community. Read on for Wisdom Council member Richard Bruxvoort Colligan’s reflection A Monk in the (Complicated) World. Being a monk in the world means a complicated life. Yeah, I said it. Complicated. We may imagine a monk in their robe, complete with centered heart, peaceful face, yada, yada. But Jesus’ quote in the gospel of John (10:10) about sharing “abundant” life? The Greek word there has connotations of “exceedingly great,” “over and above,” and “more than is necessary.” Replace the word

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Abbess love notes

Threshold, Liminality, and the Way of the Mystic ~ A Love Note from Your Online Abbess

Dearest dancing monks, artists, and pilgrims, For Lent this year we will be offering a retreat that focuses on 7 of the medieval women mystics, to see what wisdom they have for us. These were women who lived in their own dangerous times and many of whom struggled with experiences of illness as well.  The medieval women mystics have fascinated me since my time in graduate school when I was invited to deepen my study of them. Hildegard of Bingen seized my imagination first, a mystic and visionary, writer and composer, preacher and healer, she was one example of many of a

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Monk in the World Guest Post: Betty Vandervest

I am delighted to share another beautiful submission to the Monk in the World guest post series from the community. Read on for Betty Vandervest ‘s reflection Flowing with the Holy Spirit. I believe the act of creating artwork is tapping into the Divine. The Holy Spirit is with me as I move into the flow of color and image. Time stands still. Whether I’m painting a flower or an abstraction, it’s all God’s creation that I’m focusing on, paying attention to, and contemplating. I’m a convert to Catholicism, and I’ve always been fascinated by Catholic images. I’m also a

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Abbess love notes

The Path of Devotion ~ A Love Note from Your Online Abbess

Dearest dancing monks, artists, and pilgrims, This Friday, February 14th, our Program Coordinator Melinda Thomas is leading a mini-retreat on Bhakti Yoga and the Inexpressible Delights of Love. Read on for her reflection on bhakti yoga and the path of devotion. There were times in my early yoga days when I heard people talk of their singular focus on the Divine Beloved. I could not relate. When I read of the Christian mystics who had their own singular gaze on the Beloved, I could not relate. Instead I felt rather inadequate. So why then, do I want to offer a retreat

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Monk in the World Guest Post Series

Monk in the World Guest Post: Maureen Callahan Smith

I am delighted to share another beautiful submission to the Monk in the World guest post series from the community. Read on for Maureen Callahan Smith’s reflection and poem on grief and grace. Many of us are called to be caretakers of loved ones and know well the strength and internal resources it can involve. I was a caretaker for my younger sister, my “ Irish twin” when she was diagnosed with Stage IV Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma at 44, underwent a grueling bone-marrow transplant and died at 46. The main pillars of my own support and survival during this time and its

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Abbess love notes

Holiness of Work ~ A Love Note from Your Online Abbess

Dearest dancing monks, artists, and pilgrims, Tomorrow Simon and I will be joined by guest musician and Wisdom Council member Jamie Marich for our monthly Contemplative Prayer Service. Our theme this month is the 5th principle of the Monk Manifesto. Here is an excerpt from our Monk in the World self-study retreat. Principle 5: I commit to bringing myself fully present to the work I do, whether paid or unpaid, holding a heart of gratitude for the ability to express my gifts in the world in meaningful ways. Work is an important element of monastic life. Benedict called for his monks to live by the work of their own

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Monk in the World Guest Post: Judith Jessop

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

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Imbolc and Brigid Blessing ~ A Love Note from Your Online Abbess

Imbolc and Brigid Blessing*Spirit of the rumbling ground,help us attune our ears to the renewal taking formbeneath the winter earth,snowdrops and crocusesin white and purple-petaled wonder,hedgehogs and bearsbeginning to stir from sleep.Let Brigid be our guideas we navigate the way from rest to slow emergence,support us in nourishing the fragile seeds of possibility.May her birds, the oystercatcherslift our hearts on currents of love,may her devoted cowremind us of generous abundance,may her perpetual flame kindle our own sparks,may her mantle embrace usand offer protection,may her waters of the sacred wellsbless and refresh us for the journey ahead. As the bellies of

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