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Pre-Order my new book on the Desert Fathers and Mothers and receive a free gift!

Desert Fathers and Mothers: Early Christian Wisdom Sayings — Annotated & Explained will be available by late August.  In the meantime it is available for pre-ordering at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and SkyLight Paths. When you pre-order your copy, I have a special gift for you: a retreat and reflection guide to accompany your reading.  Just forward me your online receipt for pre-order and I will send that to you as a thank you for your support.  Or if you have a copy of the actual book, you can just send me a photo of you holding the book up

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August 8, 2012

Thresholds: “It is not too late”

You see, I want a lot. Perhaps I want everything: the darkness that comes with every infinite fall and the shivering blaze of every step up. . . You have not grown old, and it is not too late to dive into your increasing depths where life calmly gives out its own secret. —Rainer Maria Rilke, from Selected Poems of Rainer Maria Rilke, trans. by Robert Bly I wanted to repeat that last stunning stanza of Rilke’s poem to you. Just to be certain you didn’t skim over those words: “You have not grown old, and it is not too

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August 6, 2012

Women on the Threshold: Dana Reynolds (Part 1)

Dana Reynolds is one of my amazing co-collaborators for this upcoming journey Women on the Threshold, and reflects here on her own experience of thresholds in waking from dreams, the seasons of the day and year, and a personal threshold . . . give yourself the gift of just under four minutes to experience Dana’s soulfulness and wisdom: Dana Reynolds Threshold Moments Join us for Women on the Threshold.  Make space to nurture your own call across the threshold.  Let yourself be companioned on this path.  There is now an even more affordable option for participating. Make sure to stop

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August 6, 2012

Invitation to Poetry: The Threshold of Summer

Welcome to the Abbey’s Poetry Party #59! I select an image and suggest a theme/title and invite you to respond with your own poem. Scroll down and add it in the comments section below. Feel free to take your poem in any direction and then post the image and invitation on your blog (if you have one), Facebook, or Twitter, and encourage others to come join the party! (permission is granted to reprint the image if a link is provided back to this post). As I settle into my new life here in Vienna, I am aware that August for

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August 5, 2012

Women on the Threshold: Ronna Detrick (Part 2)

This is a guest post from Ronna Detrick, one of my fabulous co-creators and collaborators on the upcoming Women on the Threshold program.  Ronna lives in the Pacific Northwest, so it was an absolute delight to get to meet her in person before I left for Vienna.  I knew as we shared dreams together that afternoon, that partnering would be necessary soon, to see what the Spirit might give birth too when we brought our gifts together.  So I was thrilled when she responded with an enthusiastic yes to my invitation to join me in this special offering. Here is

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August 2, 2012

Thresholds: “Infinitely Enlarge Your Life”

And you wait, you wait for that one thing that will infinitely enlarge your life; the gigantic, the stupendous, the awakening of stones, depths turned round toward you. The volumes bound in rust and gold flicker dimly on the shelves; and you think of lands traveled across, of paintings, of the clothes of women found and lost. And then suddenly you know: it was then. You rise, and before you stands the fear and prayer and shape of a vanished year. —Rainer Maria Rilke, “Memory” translated by Edward Snow Dear soul friends and kindred spirits, I am grateful to one of

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August 1, 2012

Visual Meditation: Will you step across the threshold?

When we open the door and go inside, God is there in the temple of our soul, in the ashram of our heart, in the cathedral of our being. Which is not to dismiss the reality of this same loving presence being fully alive in our external world.  The Holy One is with us in all of life. Our purpose for opening the door inward is to help us know and claim who we are so we can more completely join with God in expressing this love in every part of our external world. —Joyce Rupp, Open the Door: A

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July 31, 2012

Women on the Threshold: Ronna Detrick (Part 1)

Ronna Detrick is one of my fabulous co-collaborators for this upcoming journey Women on the Threshold, and reflects here on her own experience of thresholds and how transition is so often the experience of women. . . take just two minutes to experience Ronna’s beautiful energy and enthusiasm: Thresholds from Ronna Detrick on Vimeo. Join us for Women on the Threshold.  Step into the conversation with us.  Let yourself be companioned on this path.  There is now an even more affordable option for participating.

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July 30, 2012

Listening (and Responding) to the Spirit – new option for Women on the Threshold!

One of the great gifts of this upcoming Women on the Threshold program is the opportunity for wondrous phone calls I have had the privilege of sharing with Trish, Ronna, and Dana, as part of our planning for this program.  Something magical happens when women collaborate together and help to make space for the Spirit to move.  Sometimes you can’t be afraid to shift course mid-stream. We have had great response to our fall experience, and we have also had women who either don’t have the resources for the full program with the small group spiritual direction component, or who

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July 29, 2012

Thresholds: “Listen more carefully / To what is inside of you right now”

O listen – Listen more carefully To what is inside of you right now. In my world All that remains is the wondrous call to Dance and prayer Rising up like a thousand suns Out of the mouth of a Single bird. —Hafiz Dearest fellow monks and friends, Where do I even begin? As many of you know, five months ago my husband and I made a life-changing decision. We sold our home, our car, most of our belongings, paid off all debts, my husband resigned from his job, we said goodbye to dear friends, we even found a new

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July 23, 2012

Upcoming Programs

To Be is a Blessing: An Online Retreat for Advent
To Be is a Blessing: An Online Retreat for Advent
1 Dec 24
Contemplative Prayer Service: Community
Contemplative Prayer Service: Community
9 Dec 24
Centering Prayer
Centering Prayer
18 Dec 24

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