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Reflections

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Celtic Spirituality Reflection and Interview

Christine Valters Paintner recently wrote a reflection for A New Eden Ministry on Celtic spirituality and the Incarnation. “When we awaken to the holy shimmering in each flower, tree, and bird, we suddenly discover that we are woven into a vast community. We find ourselves nourished and supported in ways we didn’t see before. We are called to hold this deepening awareness and trust that we are sustained and called forth by the choirs of creation. During this Advent season of holy birthing, the Celtic tradition can remind us of the full meaning of the incarnation. Every created thing reveals

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December 5, 2020

Monk in the World Guest Post: Pat Leyko Connelly

I am delighted to share another beautiful submission to the Monk in the World guest post series from the community. Read on for Pat Leyko Connelly’s poem reflection, “When Winter Moves In.” Snow falling so hard like lace curtains falling from the sky. “It’s beautiful” I say. As it blesses the air it passes through and the ground it falls upon! Those beautiful bright winter days, those are the ones I dream of…with blue sky and brilliant bright sun! I go for walks and the cold air chills my face and fogs up my glasses! But it is beautiful, this

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December 2, 2020

Prayer Cycle Podcast + Advent Contemplative Services ~ A Love Note from Your Online Abbess

Earth Monastery Prayer Cycle: Day 5 Morning Prayer from Abbey of the Arts on Vimeo. Click here to listen to the audio version of the prayer cycle Day 5 Morning Prayer: Earth Monastery Prayer Cycle I came here to study hard things – rock mountain and salt sea – and to temper my spirit on their edges.  “Teach me thy ways, O Lord” is, like all prayers, a rash one, and one I cannot but recommend.  These mountains — Mount Baker and the Sisters and Shuksan, the Canadian Coastal Range and the Olympics on the peninsula — are surely the

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November 29, 2020

Support Abbey Artists and Poets for the Holidays!

Order Saint and Animal Prints from David Hollington Artist David Hollington was commissioned to create 12 artworks to companion poems inspired by saint and animal stories in Christine’s newest poetry collection The Wisdom of Wild Grace. David is making prints available of these artworks in A3 size (297 x 420 mm / 11.69 x 16.54 inches). Single print cost: £35 Shipping cost: £12.50 to the US / £4 within the UK / £8.50 for any other location To order: Please email David directly at davidhollington@gmail.com and let him know your choice of print and mailing address. He will send you a

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November 27, 2020

Monk in the World Guest Post: Kathryn Coneway

I am delighted to share another beautiful submission to the Monk in the World guest post series from the community. Read on for Kathryn Coneway’s reflection on the contemplative practice of art making during uncertain times. “Now I am revealing new things to you Things hidden and unknown to you Created just now, this very moment. Of these things you have heard nothing until now. So that you cannot say, “Oh yes, I knew this.” -Isaiah 48:6-7 This passage from Isaiah is one of my favorite discoveries from reading “The Artist’s Rule.” For me, truly entering into the unknown and

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November 25, 2020

Prayer Cycle Podcast + Living Fountain ~ A Love Note from Your Online Abbess

Earth as Original Monastery: Day 4 Evening Prayer from Abbey of the Arts on Vimeo. Click here to listen to the Audio Podcast Day 4 Evening Prayer: Earth Monastery Prayer Cycle God will guide you continually, and satisfy your needs in parched places, and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters never fail. —Isaiah 58:11 Dearest monks and artists, There are many places on this beautiful Earth where springs bubble up from beneath the surface and are considered to be sacred sites of healing.  One such place out

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November 22, 2020

Monk in the World Guest Post: Peg Meisen

I am delighted to share another beautiful submission to the Monk in the World guest post series from the community. Read on for Peg Meisen’s reflection on noticing, appreciating, sharing and the value of silence. My perception of what it means to be a monk in the world is really to be one who is noticing, appreciating, and sharing.  Being a monk in the world involves movement, and growth toward greater freedom. It’s growing into the reality of God’s presence with us. It is like participating in an art expression, a dance or a musical piece. There’s always a new

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November 18, 2020

Prayer Cycle Podcast + Becoming Fire ~ A Love Note from Your Online Abbess

Earth Monastery Prayer Cycle: Day 4 Morning Prayer from Abbey of the Arts on Vimeo. Click here to listen to the audio version of the prayer cycle Day 4 Morning Prayer: Earth Monastery Prayer Cycle Abba Lot came to Abba Joseph and said: Father, according as I am able, I keep my little rule, and my little fast, my prayer, meditation and contemplative silence; and, according as I am able, I strive to cleanse my heart of thoughts: now what more should I do? The elder rose up in reply and stretched out his hands to heaven, and his fingers

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November 15, 2020

Monk in the World Guest Post: Michael Kroth

I am delighted to share another beautiful submission to the Monk in the World guest post series from the community. Read on for Michael Kroth’s reflection, “Haiku Drop.” Wind outside my house Cold breeze, sharp slap bites my cheek My eyes see nothing ~Michael Kroth, First Haiku, 1-21-19 I wrote my first haiku during a retreat in McCall, Idaho. I began reading The Art of Pausing: Meditations for the Overworked and Overwhelmed, by Judith Valente, Brother Paul Quenon, and Michael Bever that day, and followed their encouragement to write a haiku daily. On May 27, 2019 I finished reading the book –

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November 11, 2020

Prayer Cycle Podcast + Feather on the Breath of God ~ A Love Note from Your Online Abbess

Earth Monastery Prayer Cycle: Day 3 Evening Prayer from Abbey of the Arts on Vimeo. Day 3: Evening Prayer Audio Recording Day 3 Evening Prayer: Earth Monastery Prayer Cycle The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” —Gospel of St. John 3:8 Dearest monks and artists, One of my favorite images from St. Hildegard of Bingen, the prolific Benedictine Abbess of the 12th century, is to become like “a feather on

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November 8, 2020