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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

The Sweetness (and Joy!) of Arriving

Click on individual photos for larger views and a glimpse into your online Abbess’ new life in Vienna, Austria: 1st Row: L & R views of our beautiful historic apartment building near the center of Vienna 2nd Row: L – the view from the courtyard / R – the Naschmarkt is around the corner, a half mile of food stalls including meat, cheese, wine, vegetables, fruit, olives, spices, flowers 3rd Row – L & R a nearby flower stall 4th Row – L – the Hofburg Palace (10 minute walk away) / R – one of many beautiful statues 5th

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July 20, 2012

Monk Manifesto – a visual meditation gift for you

Hello my dear and beautiful monks, I have made the long journey across the ocean and am settling into my new home in Vienna, Austria.  More about the pilgrimage to be posted here soon as well as photos, but in the meantime I have a present for you! Don’t you just love presents! Pour yourself a cup of tea, close your eyes, and take three slow deep breaths. Then open your eyes, enlarge the Vimeo screen below, press play, and allow the meditation to take you into the landscape of the Monk Manifesto through art and music. Three and a half minutes inviting you to

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July 18, 2012

Make friends with sunflowers

Hello beautiful monk friends, I have been relishing my summer sabbath time, savoring the sweetness of so many goodbyes.  When I chose the word “savor” for this year (or more accurately, when it chose me) I had no idea that I would be spending several weeks without a home or car, saying goodbye to many dear friends, and heading off on this adventure.  We are making our way slowly toward Vienna, stopping along the way to spend time with friends and family.  So many moments of unbridled joy tinged with the sadness of letting go.  I am making room for

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July 3, 2012

The winner of this week’s Poetry Party drawing is. . .

Amber Andreasen!   Amber, let me know your choice of self-study/on-demand classes for your prize (which you can also give as a gift). Thank you to everyone who participated in this week’s Poetry Party celebrating summer.  Pour yourself a cup of tea (maybe iced!) and go linger for a while with the words offered there. Abbey Poetry Parties will be on a break for July but will return again as a monthly feature in August.

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June 16, 2012