Your Online Monastery for Your Spiritual Practice

Give Me a Word: Third annual Abbey giveaway

Two years ago I began what has now become an annual tradition at Abbey of the Arts during this time of new year reflection. I offer the same invitation this year, again with some prizes to give away on January 6th, and this time with a free gift for everyone who participates. *Everyone* who shares their word for the year and a brief description in the comments below also gets a *free guided meditation recording* from the Abbey with an *Embodied Examen Prayer for the New Year.* It is a great way to reflect on the past year and tend your dreams for

December 21, 2011

Savor – my word for 2012

Each year for the last two years I have invited readers to share a word that has chosen them for the year ahead. Give Me a Word for 2012 will be posted on Wedneday, December 21st and I have lots of wonderful goodies in store for you including a free gift for everyone who participates and a drawing for several wonderful prizes on January 6th. So make sure to come back to the Abbey blog to read more and share your own word with us then. If you want a reminder, make sure to subscribe to the Abbey email newsletter.

December 17, 2011

The Artist’s Rule chosen as one of the year’s best!

The wonderful folks over at Spirituality and Practice have chosen The Artist’s Rule as one of their 50 best books of the year under the category of Creativity. You can buy a copy of The Artist’s Rule: Nurturing Your Creative Soul with Monastic Wisdom at Amazon.com or from your local bookseller. Interested in hearing more about the book. There have been some fabulous reviews including this one at Image Journal (under Features). This past summer I went on a blog book tour and if you are new to the Abbey or the newsletter, here are some interviews and articles you

December 12, 2011

Abbey Bookshelf: Between Heaven and Mirth

I received a copy of Fr. James Martin’s newest book Between Heaven and Mirth: Why Joy, Humor, and Laughter Are at the Heart of the Spiritual Life from Patheos where it is this month’s featured book club selection. His central premise is that in our churches we often act very grim and forget that humor is a gift of the Spirit. I would go even further to suggest that our capacity to experience deep emotion of any kind has been stunted in our culture in general, but also in our faith communities. We shy away from genuine experiences of lament

December 8, 2011

Is God Coming? An Advent Theoblogger Challenge

Patheos offers regular Theoblogger challenges, inviting their writers to respond in 100 words or less. This month’s challenge asks the question “How is God coming into the world this Advent?” Here is my response: In the Northern hemisphere Advent is the season of growing darkness and waiting in the midst of unknowing. Images of night, mystery, and birthing make my soul sing. During this time that we wait for God’s coming, I pay close attention to my dreams, those nighttime visions that come to show me something new. An angel appeared in a dream to Joseph to tell him to wed

December 5, 2011

Way of the Monk, Path of the Artist -second section for Winter just added!

Way of the Monk, Path of the Artist is a 12-week online journey with fellow monks and artists and limited to 15 participants for intimacy and depth of sharing. The first section filled a couple of weeks ago so I have decided to add a second one for winter (January 9-April 1, 2012). This will take you through Lent and is a wonderful way to begin the new year with commitment to your contemplative and creative practice. Once this section fills there will not be any more added and this will be the last time the class is offered until

November 29, 2011

Last chance to register for the Advent online retreat!

November 27 – December 24, 2011 (a 4-week online class) Description I must be the Virgin and give birth to God. –Angelus Silesius (17th century German mystic) What good is it to me if Mary gave birth to the Son of God fourteen hundred years ago and I do not also give birth to the Son of God in my time and in my culture? We are all meant to be Mothers of God. -Meister Eckhart (15th century German mystic) Each of us is called to participate in bringing God to birth in the world. We each hear our own

November 25, 2011

Featured Review of Lectio Divina at Englewood Review of Books

Chris Smith at the Englewood Review of Books has featured Lectio Divina–The Sacred Art: Transforming Words & Images into Heart-Centered Prayer this month! I am very honored by his review, here is an excerpt: What distinguishes Paintner’s work from a host of other recent books on lectio divina is its focus on beauty. Paintner is an artist and has reflected at length on the role of the arts in spiritual formation (for instance in her book Awakening the Creative Spirit, co-written with Betsey Beckman, which we reviewed here). Part of what is lost in the ever-increasing pace of Western culture,

November 19, 2011

Artistic Advent Enrichment (lovely new review of The Artist’s Rule)

Kristin Berkey-Abbot at Liberation Theology Lutheran has a great post suggesting The Artist’s Rule as a creative companion through the season of Advent (and I agree, it is a brilliant idea): If you’re looking for a disciplined approach and a guide to walk you through each practice and to help you make the connections between spirituality and art, allow me to recommend Christine Valters Paintner’s latest book, The Artist’s Rule: Nurturing Your Creative Soul with Monastic Wisdom. Much like Julia Cameron’s The Artist’s Way, Paintner’s book is set up as a 12 week intensive immersion into techniques and practices that

November 15, 2011

Go in peace, you are loved

Go in peace, you are loved, you are loved Go in peace, you are loved Go with God, you are loved, you are loved Go with God, you are loved The God who wove you in the dark the one whose rough hands made your heart had you in mind before the dawn of time The one who gazed with gentle eyes at all the colors of your life– Before the threads were dyed, the artist saw your life (chorus) Back at the house you started from your God has left the porch light on however late the hour, you’ll

November 13, 2011

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Give Me a Word: Third annual Abbey giveaway

Savor – my word for 2012

The Artist’s Rule chosen as one of the year’s best!

Abbey Bookshelf: Between Heaven and Mirth

Is God Coming? An Advent Theoblogger Challenge

Way of the Monk, Path of the Artist -second section for Winter just added!

Last chance to register for the Advent online retreat!

Featured Review of Lectio Divina at Englewood Review of Books

Artistic Advent Enrichment (lovely new review of The Artist’s Rule)

Go in peace, you are loved

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