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Monk in the World guest post: Ally Markotich

I am delighted to share another beautiful submission for the Monk in the World guest post series from the community. Read on for Ally Markotich’s reflection on recovering a creative practice. I’m not sure when it began. Possibly winning third place in a community-wide art contest for the local Fire Hall in fourth grade. Or, maybe when friends and family would “ooh” and “aah” over recently created artwork. However, early on, I believed myself an artist. This label both delighted and concerned me. On my best days, time suspended as I created in the moment and on my worst days, I compared my art to

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Celebrate the Feast of St. Michael and Autumn Equinox ~ A love note from your online abbess

Dearest monks and artists, Included in your love note today is a short excerpt from our current Sacred Seasons mini-retreat for the Autumn Equinox and the Feast of Michaelmas (register here to receive materials all year long to celebrate the turning of the seasons) written by your online Prior John Valters Paintner: “Do not fear, Daniel,” the Archangel Michael continued; “from the first day you made up your mind to acquire understanding and humble yourself before God, your prayer was heard.” ~ Daniel 10:12a The Book of Daniel, named after the hero and not the author of the story, is set

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Monk in the World guest post: Sherri Hansen

I am delighted to share another beautiful submission for the Monk in the World guest post series from the community. Read on for Sherri Hansen’s reflection on composting as a spiritual practice. [Jesus said,] “Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit”—John 12:24 Spring in Upper Midwest is highly welcomed after long months of cold dark nights and seemingly endless snow. As ice melts and the world becomes green, I never ceased to be amazed and grateful at this promise of rebirth. Like many gardeners,

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The Call to Savor + Join us for Coming Home to Your Body ~ A love note from your online abbess

Dearest monks and artists, Our upcoming online retreat for women Coming Home to Your Body  starts on Monday, September 21st. I have been offering you very brief excerpts to ponder your own ways of contemplative embodiment. Here is the last installment: Only by welcoming uncertainty from the get-go can we acclimate ourselves to the shattering wonder that enfolds us. This animal body, for all its susceptibility and vertigo, remains the primary instrument of all our knowing, as the capricious earth remains our primary cosmos. —David Abram, Becoming Animal: An Earthly Cosmology One of my favorite poets is Rainer Maria Rilke. 

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Monk in the World guest post: Linda Lyzenga

I am delighted to share another beautiful submission for the Monk in the World guest post series from the community. Read on for Linda Lyzenga’s reflection on the practice of hospitality in the face of illness.  I had no idea when I signed the Monk Manifesto here at Abbey of the Arts three years ago how a broadened, deepened practice of hospitality would free me from much struggle and anxiety. Seven years prior, following St. Benedicts example, I had written my own rule of life when I began a course in spiritual formation followed by a spiritual direction practicum. There had been much unlearning to

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Featured Self-Study for September: Hildegard of Bingen

To celebrate the feast of St Hildegard of Bingen we are offering a $10 discount off the cost of the Creative Flourishing in the Desert self-study retreat. It includes rich reflections from Christine on Hildegard’s spirituality for today, daily invitations to draw mandalas, links to her music, and invitations into body prayer with Betsey Beckman. Or join us in the Rhine Valley of Germany May 29-June 6, 2016 for a pilgrimage walking in the landscape which shaped her. Your registration for the pilgrimage includes access to the self-study retreat above to help you prepare for the journey. Details and registration here>>

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Celebrate the Feast of St. Hildegard! ~ A Love Note from Your Online Abbess

Dearest monks and artists, September 17th will be the Feast of Holy Hildegard, one of the patron saints of our work here in Abbey because of her roots as a Benedictine monk and Abbess, and her incredible commitment to creative expression and nurturing aliveness. She is featured in our upcoming online retreat for women Coming Home to Your Body. I offer you this brief excerpt: I am the living breath in a human being placed in a tabernacle of marrow, veins, bones, and flesh, giving it vitality and supporting its every movement. —St. Hildegard of Bingen, Scivias I 4:4 Hildegard of

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Monk in the World guest post: Gerry O’Neill

I am delighted to share another beautiful submission for the Monk in the World guest post series from the community. Read on for Gerry O’Neill’s poem about ways to practice the sacrament of Communion. Strange Communion No altar, No bread or wine, No priest, No word spoken To stir the dangerous memory of Jesus (John Baptist Metz) The drama is enacted Under a different form: Paper cup, coffee and hot roll, Offered up In a liturgy of love. The salivated cup passes, From lip to lip, Measured bites so all may have food For the journey To the sheltered workshop. Real presence in

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Coming Home to Your Body: A Woman’s Contemplative Journey to Wholeness ~ A Love Note

Dearest monks and artists, I offer you a brief excerpt from our upcoming online retreat for women Coming Home to Your Body: Every breath is a resurrection. —Gregory Orr (excerpt from poem “Concerning the Book that is the Body of the Beloved”) In the Benedictine tradition there is a monastic practice called statio, which is the practice of stopping one thing before beginning another.  Imagine, instead of rushing from one appointment to the next, that between each one you pause, you breathe just five long slow breaths. Imagine how this might transform your movement from one activity to another. Or even

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Monk in the World guest post: Rich Lewis

I am delighted to share another beautiful submission for the Monk in the World guest post series from the community. Read on for Rich Lewis’ reflection on centering prayer. When I slow myself down I remember I am a divine being.  One way I slow myself down is through the practice of centering prayer.  I have been practicing centering prayer since June 1, 2014.  The recommended guidelines are twice per day, twenty minutes each time.  Previously, I dabbled with centering prayer.  For a few months, I practiced once per night.  Each session lasted no longer than ten minutes.  I knew this was not enough.  I knew God was calling me.  I knew

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