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Visual Meditation: Birds Being Set Free

Into the Wild The cancer began so small, just a hummingbird caught in the house. It could be gently removed without much fuss, flying from the window, opened. But, a whole other nest was found. Hiding in the corner, this cancer was not so innocent. As the eggs cracked and babies grew, they brought a frenzy and chaos within. Although these were just small wrens, the surgeon wielded his knife. Poison comes next since traces of birds slipped into narrow passageways. I will take this path but still resist my body becoming a battlefield. No wars in my veins. No

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Sacred Artist Interview: Tim Mooney

This week’s interview is with artist Tim Mooney. I first met Tim five years ago when he audited a class I co-taught through the San Francisco Theological Seminary on “Freeing the Imagination: Creativity as Christian Spiritual Practice.”  The course was funded by the Practicing Our Faith project and was an exciting opportunity to journey with twelve graduate students and ministers, exploring together the possibilities that creative practice holds for Christian communities.  Tim brought rich reflection from his own experience as an artist, spiritual director, and pastor within the Presbyterian tradition.  Since that time he has developed himself as an artist to the

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Abbey Bookshelf: Creative Inspiration Edition

How refreshing a Sabbath day can be.  I feel a little more spaciousness in my soul, more light-heartedness about the work I still have to do. I spent much of the day lounging in pajamas and reading through some books I have had sitting on my shelf calling to me. (Does it count as work if the fruits of my lounging ends up here in this week’s edition of the Abbey Bookshelf?) :-) First, I found these delightful art journals at the website of Teesha Moore.  Teesha is the person behind ArtFest held each April in Port Townsend.  I had never been before and last

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Serving the Mysteries

A couple of weeks ago, in my interview with Heather Williams Durka, she used a phrase to describe her work as an artist that has stayed with me: “Serving the Mysteries.”  I was really entranced by that image, because for me the spiritual journey is not so much about growing in certainty as it is about learning how to move more deeply into the heart of Mystery.  And so the idea of my work as an artist being about serving the mysteries resonates deeply. In the January/February 2008 issue of Spirituality and Health magazine, Thomas Moore wrote in his column about religion and the

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Sacred Artist Interview: Miska

I wrote about meeting Miska for the first time a couple of weeks ago.  She extended a very warm hospitality to me.  I really enjoyed talking with her and getting to know the artist behind the beautiful artwork I have admired for so long now.  When she told me she was teaching a painting class, I signed up and yesterday was the second lesson.  Painting is definitely not my strength, but I am enjoying learning from her.  She was gracious enough to respond to my invitation to be one of my featured sacred artists.  So here is some wisdom from Miska:

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Abbey Bookshelf: Ash Wednesday Edition

I love Ash Wednesday.  We have so few rituals that are quite so earthy.  Everyone is welcome to come and receive those ashes on the forehead, that reminder that we are from dust and to dust we shall return.  It doesn’t strike me as morbid in the least, but a compelling reminder of the preciousness of our days. In the Christian liturgical calendar Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the forty days of Lent, that season we so often associate with giving things up.  Last year I shared a reflection I gave at my church the year prior suggesting the need for lament

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Preparing for Lent

I have been sitting with what I am being called to practice more attentively during the Lenten season that begins tomorrow. There are lots of possibilities calling to me and I have held them in the space of my heart and listened as well as I can in the midst of what has been a very busy week.  In fact, as I look ahead, I see February is one of the fullest months I have had in a long while, in part because next weekend is the second part of the intensive class I stepped in to teach and later

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Sacred Artist Interview: Heather Williams

Heather Williams is an artist in Olympia, WA who is an iconographer in the Orthodox tradition. We connected with each other by email several months ago through St. Placid Priory and even though she only lives an hour away I haven’t had the chance to meet her in person yet, even though she has graciously extended the invitation to me to visit her art studio.  She has also offered icon writing ateliers in the past which I hope next time I might be able to participate in as I would love to learn the basics of this amazing art and prayer form. Heather took some

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Sacred Artist Interview: Bill Hughlett

I first met Bill Hughlett because of my friendship with his wife Kayce, aka the delightful lucy.  I fell in love with his photography before I ever met him and then have had the chance to sit at dinner on a few occasions now and get to know him a bit better.  He is a really engaging person who speaks passionately about both his spiritual journey and his creative expression.  I am excited to share his insights into the connection between the two, so on to Bill’s responses: A brief introduction of yourself — faith tradition (if you have one), spiritual practice,

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