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Visual Meditation: The Earth is Not a Dream

Hope Hope is with you when you believe The earth is not a dream but living flesh, That sight, touch, and hearing do not lie, That all things you have ever seen here Are like a garden looked at from a gate. You cannot enter. But you’re sure it’s there. Could we but look more clearly and wisely We might discover somewhere in the garden A strange new flower and an unnamed star. Some people say we should not trust our eyes, That there is nothing, just a seeming, These are the ones who have no hope. They think that

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March 14, 2008

Sacred Artist Interview: Kate Iredale

I first met Kate Iredale virtually when she joined the Sacred Arts Ring and I have really enjoyed her work and the way she works with images and digital manipulation.  I find her combination of words and images very evocative.  One of her images will be in an upcoming issue of Presence journal, for which I have the privilege of being the art editor.  She lives on Vancouver Island, one of my favorite places in the Pacific Northwest. Kate graciously agreed to be featured for one of my Sacred Artist Interviews and I am grateful to her for taking time to share

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March 13, 2008

Abbey Bookshelf: Family Systems

I didn’t end up finishing a post for yesterday because I have been getting ready for a two-week trip I am leaving on this Saturday.  For several months now I have been studying and working with Bowen Theory and some genealogical work as well.  I first started seeing a Jungian analyst for spiritual direction about a year ago, mainly to move more deeply into dream work.  The unexpected gift of our work together has been exploring family systems theory and then having an opportunity to participate in a workshop on it where I was able to go even deeper into the

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March 12, 2008

Invitation to Poetry: Unknown

Our 14th 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!)  I’ll add your contributions all week and then I will draw a name at random on Friday from everyone who participates and will send the winner a copy of my newest zine What is Blossoming Within You? This week’s photo is

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March 10, 2008

Sacred Artist Interview: David Ash

I met David through my dear friend and teaching partner Betsey Beckman. My husband and I went to the teahouse where her husband and son were performing music that night and we ended up sitting next to David.  He and his wife have been long-time friends with Betsey through their role as musicians.  We spent the evening listening to great music and enjoying David’s sense of humor as he told us about his new publishing adventure.  I was entranced by the way he has dedicated himself to this new work so singularly and passionately.  So with this week’s edition of the Sacred

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March 6, 2008

Abbey Bookshelf: Confession and Conversion Edition

On Monday I received a very disheartening email.  The bookstore at the Graduate Theological Union where I did my graduate studies will be closing its doors.  They simply can’t keep up with online retailers anymore.  It is such a fine source of theological resources and the fact that a university bookstore can’t stay open is very sad to me indeed. I think even sadder to me right now is recognizing my own culpability in this.  I buy a lot of books, and I buy most of them through Amazon.  I wholeheartedly believe in supporting independent bookstores and have often thought I would be

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March 5, 2008

Engaged Spirituality

Today’s reflection post is a hodge-podge of resources.  I am behind on a number of things as I try to finish up the winter quarter and get ready for a two-week pilgrimage back east at the end of March to visit family and friends.  More about that next week.  Beth at the Virtual Tea House is hosting a wonderful blog carnival about engaged spirituality.  Click over to read a wide variety of thoughtful posts submitted.  I shared a post I wrote a year and a half ago titled Widening Circles, it is still one of my favorites, click on the link to go revisit

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March 4, 2008

Sacred Arts Ring

Time for another lap around the Sacred Arts Ring to see what new treasures are scattered there.  Read on for a few selections.  First, welcome to the newest member — Tom Delmore at Crow’s Perch. Tom is a poet and fellow Seattleite.  Carrot Top Studio shares some Lenten book recommendations.  Tandaina at Snow on Roses shares a moving Lenten poem.   Sally at Eternal Echoes reflects on reclaiming Mary as the feminine face of God. Jacq’s Fibers shares some funky fiber postcards.  Kate at Thru My Lens Lightly offers some lovely images from her travels.  Kazi Dolezal at Circle the Divine writes about

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March 3, 2008

Sacred Artist Interview: Jan Richardson

I have been a fan of Jan Richardson‘s work for a long time.  Her books In Wisdom’s Path: Discovering the Sacred in Every Season and Night Visions: Searching the Shadows of Advent and Christmas are two of my favorites because of their combining of word and image. Unfortunately the latter of those two is only available used through Amazon now as very expensive copies (I helped Jan sell out of her own copies), but she is working on getting it re-printed. I also enjoy Sacred Journeys: A Woman’s Book of Daily Prayer, filled with Jan’s meaningful words.  She also has a

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February 28, 2008