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Monk Manifesto now available in Spanish

I am very grateful to Nicolás Crespo for translating the Monk Manifesto into Spanish! Click here for a PDF version of the Manifiesto del Monje. Please feel free to pass it along to friends who might appreciate this. Manifiesto del Monje ¿Quieres unirte a mí para comenzar la revolución del monje? ¡Difundamos un compromiso con la contemplación, la compasión y la creatividad a lo largo y ancho del mundo! Monje: Del griego monachos, que significa solo o solitario, un monje en el mundo no vive apartado, sino inmerso en la vida diaria con una presencia plena y sin reservas, esforzándose siempre

October 3, 2010

Spiritual Directors International 2011: Cultivating Compassion

Registration for the Spiritual Directors International 2011 Conference on Cultivating Compassion in Atlanta April 28-May 1, 2011 is now available! There are always lots of wonderful reasons to attend. This year Betsey Beckman and I will be presenting the Friday night Plenary Session on Cultivating the Elements of a Compassionate Heart: The elements of earth, wind, fire and water have long been celebrated by sacred traditions as expressions of the divine. Join Betsey Beckman, MM, and Christine Valters Paintner, PhD, to actively participate in a variety of hands-on expressive arts experiences—both reflective and playful!—such as movement, song, image, story, and

October 3, 2010

“The Still Heart That Refuses Nothing”

Lake and Maple I want to give myself utterly as this maple that burned and burned for three days without stinting and then in two more dropped off every leaf; as this lake that, no matter what comes to its green-blue depths, both takes and returns it. In the still heart that refuses nothing, the world is twice-born – two earths wheeling, two heavens, two egrets reaching down into subtraction; even the fish for an instant doubled, before it is gone. I want the fish. I want the losing it all when it rains and I want the returning transparence.

October 1, 2010

Join me in Oregon October 29th (last day for early registration)

Spiritual Directors Fall Seminar Shalom Prayer Center, Queen of Angels Monastery, Mt Angel, Oregon Friday, October 29, 2010, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. Water, Wind, Earth, and Fire: Bringing Encounters with Nature to Spiritual Direction & Soul Care When we consider the spiritual direction relationship we often think about the director, the directee, and the Spirit. This workshop will invite us to enlarge our vision of spiritual direction to include the matrix of creation within which our lives are supported and our becoming is nurtured. Join us for an experiential seminar exploring ways to integrate awareness of, and encounters with,

September 29, 2010

How Does God Keep from Fainting?

The wonder of water moving over that rock in the stream justifies existence. The swish of a horse’s tail – again I am stunned by the grandeur of the unseen One that governs all movement. I resist looking at the palms of my hands sometimes. Have you ever gotten breathless before a beautiful face for I see you there, my dear. There is a wonderful problem waiting for you that God and I share: how to keep from fainting when we see each other. In truth: how does God keep from fainting looking at Himself all day? Light is moving

September 28, 2010

Letting Your Old Life Die

Quietness Inside this new love, die. Your way begins on the other side. Become the sky. Take an axe to the prison wall. Escape. Walk out like somebody suddenly born into color. Do it now. You’re covered with thick cloud. Slide out the side. Die, and be quiet. Quietness is the surest sign that you’ve died. Your old life was a frantic running from silence. The speechless full moon comes out now. -Rumi

September 28, 2010

New books coming in 2011

In the midst of my sorrow, waiting, and unknowing, there has also been great joy here at the Abbey. I am blessed to be able to dedicate a great deal of time to writing these days which makes my heart sing. While they are not due out until April and July 2011, there is a special delight that happens when an author gets to see her book covers and anticipate holding them in her hands. I love what both publishers have created for the exterior to support the books’ messages inside and am eager to share these resources with you, dear

September 22, 2010

Autumn’s Call

Today is the Autumn Equinox and we enter my favorite half of the year. These days have been marked by a heaviness here at the Abbey though. My mother-in-law who has Alzheimer’s has been declining rapidly as of late. And in the last couple of weeks our sweet old dog Tune has developed canine cognitive dysfunction, which essentially leads to increased confusion, anxiety, and distress, similar to Alzheimer’s in humans. She is on medication now which is helping, but still the signs are there. The anniversary of my own mother’s death is less than a month away. As fall begins its brilliant journey I am being thrust

September 22, 2010

Saint Bernard in the fields at Clairvaux. For Hilary.

Saint Bernard in the fields at Clairvaux. For Hilary. That day as the sun set, its afterglow flooded the world with light like the meeting of heaven and earth; then the great bell of the abbey tolled the vesper; the workers in the fields lowered their scythes and bowed their heads or knelt on the sharp stubble; a grasshopper rested on the rough hem of my robe; nature held its breath and knew eternity I listened as the echo of the bell took all my listening, and then was heard no more; but listening remained; the silence became full of

September 20, 2010

Happy Feast of Hildegard of Bingen

Today is the Feast of Hildegard of Bingen, here is a reprint from an earlier blog post last year about my love for her: Hildegard of Bingen was my doorway into the Benedictine life. While in graduate school I was studying for my “History of Christian Spirituality” comprehensive examination (a fearful and awesome task if there ever was one) and actually had a slight disdain for those ancient monks. My spirituality up until that point had been quite infused by the Ignatian vision of working for justice. I was turned off by the body-denying practices of monasticism (at least in

September 17, 2010

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Monk Manifesto now available in Spanish

Spiritual Directors International 2011: Cultivating Compassion

“The Still Heart That Refuses Nothing”

Join me in Oregon October 29th (last day for early registration)

How Does God Keep from Fainting?

Letting Your Old Life Die

New books coming in 2011

Autumn’s Call

Saint Bernard in the fields at Clairvaux. For Hilary.

Happy Feast of Hildegard of Bingen

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