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Photography as a Sacred Practice

A week and a half ago I participated in a Blog Meme Interview and I asked if readers had any other questions for me.  kigen asked me:  “Is it, and if so, what makes the doing of photography a sacred or religious practice for you?” The answer is, of course, an unqualified YES! :-) Mythologist and storyteller Michael Meade says the word “moment” comes from the Latin root momentus, which means to move.  We are moved when we touch the eternal and timeless.  There is a sense of spaciousness in moments.  Art and spiritual practice are how we find this moment

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Sacred Artist Interview: Shiloh Sophia McCloud

I am not certain how I first discovered Shiloh Sophia McCloud‘s work, I am just grateful that I did.  I find her art inspiring, invigorating, captivating, whimsical, and utterly delightful.  She describes her art below as “images of what is possible for our lives” — and I say amen! On her website it says that Shiloh has been working with people and as a full time Artist for over ten years in an arena she calls “the sacred arts movement” which is dedicated to exploring the tri-fold relationship between intention-based arts, meaningful life-work and the path of personal transformation. Sounds just like my

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i carry your heart with me (Valentine’s edition)

i carry your heart with me (i carry it in my heart) i am never without it (anywhere i go you go, my dear; and whatever is done by only me is your doing, my darling) i fear no fate (for you are my fate, my sweet) i want no world (for beautiful you are my world, my true) and you are whatever a moon has always meant and whatever a sun will always sing is you here is the deepest secret nobody knows (here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud and the sky

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Sacred Artist Interview: Liora

I was connected to Liora‘s work through another artist (I love when that happens) who sent her my way.  I loved her vibrant images on her website, especially the mandalas she has created and the way she integrates Buddhist and Hindu symbolism into her work. She teaches art and creativity workshops down in the Florida area which sound delightful.  I am grateful, as always, to Liora for taking time to reflect on my questions for this interview and offer you, my wonderful readers, some insight into her creative process and the integration with spirituality.  _______________________________________________ Are you rooted in a

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Blog-Tag Interview

Beth at the Virtual Tea House is having some fun.  Here’s how it works.  I read Beth’s blog about this exercise. I asked to be interviewed. Beth sent me the five questions below, which I also answered in this post.  Then…it’s your turn.  If you want to play, either on the comment section to this post, or in an email to me, just let me know you would like to be interviewed.  I will then dream up some questions with whatever info about you I can gain from your blog or other sources that you give me.  Hopefully you’ll have fun exploring the questions

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Invitation to Poetry: Stirring in the Belly

This is the 31st Poetry Party!  I select an image and suggest a title and invite you to respond with your poems, words, reflections, quotes, song lyrics, etc. Leave them in the comments or email me and I’ll add them to the body of the post as they come in along with a link back to your blog if you have one (not required to participate!) Happy Feast of Imbolc, St. Brigid’s Day, Candlemas, and Groundhog Day! Imbolc is a Celtic feast that is cross-quarter day, meaning it is the midway point between the winter solstice and spring equinox.  The sun marks

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Out Sick :-(

I started coming down with a cough/cold thing that is going around on Wednesday and despite my best efforts and a full arsenal of resistance — Wellness Formula, Immunity Tea, raw garlic, and rest — I am fully sick today.  Sigh.  The worst part is that Betsey Beckman and I had a wonderful retreat day planned for tomorrow on Mary Magdalene.  Since hacking and sneezing my way through the day doesn’t sound very pleasant for the participants or me, we are postponing it until Saturday, February 21st and I will be spending the weekend in bed practicing the necesary humility of

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Sacred Artist Interview: Katharine Houk

I was first introduced to the work of Katharine Houk by Tess at Anchors and Masts. I love it when people point me to their favorite artists (hint hint) because I always discover someone with tremendous grace and beauty in service to others. Katharine is a textile artist who creates these beautiful and tactile ritual pieces including garments, stoles, and banners.  She was so gracious to take time to respond to my Sacred Artist Interview questions and offer us a window into her creative process and spiritual path.  So read on for more wisdom: _____________________________________________________ Are you rooted in a particular faith

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Now is the Time

Now is the Time Now is the time to know That all that you do is sacred. Now, why not consider A lasting truce with yourself and God. Now is the time to understand That all your ideas of right and wrong Were just a child’s training wheels To be laid aside When you finally live With veracity And love. Hafiz is a divine envoy Whom the Beloved Has written a holy message upon. My dear, please tell me, Why do you still Throw sticks at your heart And God? What is it in that sweet voice inside That incites

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Sacred Artist Interview: Mary Kolb

When one of my readers suggested Mary Kolb for the Sacred Artist Interview series I thought it might be fun to explore an “artist of the inner life” instead of my usual focus on visual artists, poets, and musicians.   I love that phrase, after all, are we not all invited to co-create the architecture of our inner selves?  And in that dynamic process we also help to create the world.  Read on for more wisdom from Mary and her insights into an intriguing and revelatory process. ___________________________________________________________ I consider myself an artist of the inner life. I teach self-awareness and growth tools

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