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Monk in the World Guest Post Series

Monk in World Guest Post: Kirsten Keppel

I am delighted to share another beautiful submission to the Monk in the World guest post series from the community. Read on for Kirsten Keppel’s reflection on living the Liturgy of the Hours. I find that living the Liturgy of the Hours through short yet consistent practices of paring and pruning, offering hospitality, and praying briefly can transform a day from an endurance ride to a chance to live and create in God’s garden. One day can hold such power to touch a life. I learned to do this through a friend’s parting gift to me in spring 2015. It

January 12, 2022

Abbess love notes

Give Me a Word – Drawing Winners: A Love Note From Your Online Abbess

Dearest monks, artists, and pilgrims, Thanks to everyone who shared their word with our community! The practice of listening for a word to guide you into the next season of your life is an ancient one. This is an excerpt from my book Desert Fathers and Mothers: A brother questioned Abba Hierax saying, “Give me a word. How can I be saved?” The old man said to him, “Sit in your cell, and if you are hungry, eat, if you are thirsty, drink; only do not speak evil of anyone, and you will be saved. (Hierax 1) A key phrase, repeated often in the Sayings of

January 9, 2022

Abbess love notes

Health Update from Christine

Dear monks, artists, and pilgrims, I continue to feel deeply grateful for your loving prayers and circle of care. I truly feel held and lifted during this time of illness with COVID-19. Thankfully I am starting to turn a corner on symptoms. My congestion and coughing are quite a bit better now although I am still very fatigued and sleeping a lot during the day. If you enrolled in one of our upcoming programs you will have seen that we are cancelling some things and postponing others, all to give myself the most spaciousness for recovery possible. It has been

January 7, 2022

Monk in the World Guest Post: Pat Butler

I am delighted to share another beautiful submission to the Monk in the World guest post series from the community. Read on for Pat Butler’s reflection “Microbursts.” Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I say, rejoice.—Philippians 4:4 Until I sat with my sister on a couch for five minutes, I thought of celebration as a rowdy birthday party, an extravagant wedding, or a solemn liturgy. Weddings, holidays, a newborn, or a new job—all are causes for celebration, but occasional. As a monk in the world, I needed to rejoice more frequently—always, Scripture says. How could I inject celebration into my daily

January 5, 2022

Monk in the World: Moving with Mystery ~ Dancing Retreat with Betsey Beckman

February 5, 2022 9am-12pm Pacific with Betsey Beckman, hosted by St. Placid Priory $45, Partial scholarships available. Please contact the Priory for more information. What would it be like to be a Dancing Monk? How might a practice of Moving with Mystery help us navigate these trying times? Come spend a morning dancing your way through the Monk Manifesto*, a set of 8 principles for contemplative, creative, and compassionate living. At Abbey of the Arts, we have created dances for each of the 8 Monk practices, and you will have a chance to learn and embody some of our favorite dances

January 4, 2022

Abbess love notes

Slowing Down to See: Epiphany Blessings

Illuminated I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened —Ephesians 1:18 The window fills with sky one half pewter, laden with drops that splash the cold concrete the other half brilliant blue sunlight pours sidewalk glimmers in that midday dazzle you feel like it could be the first day of creation or the last and you know this moment will not persist you know you will forget later in the drudgery of evening, but for now you remember how rain and sun conspire to show you everything you need to carry on to the end of day. -Christine

January 2, 2022

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Monk in the World Guest Post: Laurie Klein

I am delighted to share another beautiful submission to the Monk in the World guest post series from the community. Read on for Laurie Klein’s reflection titled “Alphabet of Presence.” I keep sensing, maybe as an amateur mystic, that the whole world is every moment saying the name of God. —Li Young Lee After my father died, ragged bereavement steamrolled my days. Journaling, therapy, and medication helped. I also took up calligraphy. A focused return to the ABCs might reawaken curiosity, make me feel less numb, more present. Cautiously hopeful, I tackled Uncial, an uppercase medieval script historically used by monks. Ancient

December 22, 2021

Abbess love notes

Winter Solstice and Christmas Blessings ~ A Love Note from Your Online Abbess

Dearest monks, artists, and pilgrims, I love the quiet invitation of this time of year to descend into stillness. I will be leading an event on the Winter Solstice with my wonderful friends Deirdre Ni Chinneide and Aisling Richmond who both live in Ireland as well and are deeply enriched by the Celtic imagination and spirit. We will be honoring the ancient invitation to listen for the call in the heart of the fertile darkness. Imagine the ancient Irish – over 5000 years ago – constructing Newgrange and many other stone monuments aligned with the solstices and equinoxes. It is powerful to

December 19, 2021

Christine Around the Web

I have been featured in numerous articles, poems and podcasts podcasts in recent weeks. Pour a cup of tea and enjoy these resources. Breath Prayer article at US Catholic magazine A conversation on Breath Prayer at Ruah Space podcast A conversation on Breath Prayer (includes a short practice) at Podcast with Presence & Practice A lovely review of Breath Prayer at Spirituality & Practice Waning and Waxing (a poem) at Bearings online journal Three poems at Impspired online journal Also . . . you can pre-order my next book Birthing the Holy: Wisdom from Mary to Nurture Creativity and Renewal (coming in April 2022!) Breath Prayer: An Ancient Practice for the

December 15, 2021

Monk in the World Guest Post: Hillel Brandes

I am delighted to share another beautiful submission to the Monk in the World Guest Post series from the community. Read on for Hillel Brandes’s reflection, “Sound of Snowfall”. ” . . . The only other sounds the sweepOf easy wind and downy flake.The woods are lovely, dark and deep . . .”Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening by Robert Frost Stopping by woods on a snowy evening…well, not evening at the moment, but late afternoon. The silence of the winter woods is real, is grounding, and is wondrous. I could call it magical, and so it is. But

December 15, 2021

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Monk in World Guest Post: Kirsten Keppel

Give Me a Word – Drawing Winners: A Love Note From Your Online Abbess

Health Update from Christine

Monk in the World Guest Post: Pat Butler

Monk in the World: Moving with Mystery ~ Dancing Retreat with Betsey Beckman

Slowing Down to See: Epiphany Blessings

Monk in the World Guest Post: Laurie Klein

Winter Solstice and Christmas Blessings ~ A Love Note from Your Online Abbess

Christine Around the Web

Monk in the World Guest Post: Hillel Brandes

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Monk in the World Guest Post: Sharon Dawn Johnson

Gratitude Blessing + The Love of Thousands Prayer Cycle Day 7~ A Love Note from Your Online Abbess

Monk in the World Guest Post: Janeen Adil

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