Christine is interviewed by Jamie Marich (Abbey Wisdom Council member) about poetry and the expressive arts: Listen to the podcast version here>>
Dreaming of Stones: Poetry collection offers spiritual solace by Barbara Mahany, Chicago Tribune To enter the pages of Christine Valters Paintner’s “Dreaming of Stones” feels akin to wandering the undulations of Celtic wilds, the barren landscape that cloisters timeless secrets and truths. It’s not hard to imagine ancient ruins off in the mist-drenched distance. Nor to hear the cry of North Atlantic winds, sweeping across moor and mountain. It’s haunting and it’s beautiful. Most of all, it’s to find yourself at home in a place you’ve never been — the very definition of soulful retreat. And so it is
Dearest monks, artists, and pilgrims, Today is my 49thbirthday and tomorrow is John’s. We are entering our 50th year of life and eager for this sabbatical time of spaciousness to listen and discern the shape of our work going forward and to have more time for the writing we so love to do. I returned a week ago from teaching in Chartres, France. (The photo above was received one of my first nights there). The program was hosted by Lauren Artress and the wonderful folks at Veriditas who help promote the labyrinth worldwide. It was a powerful week of diving deeply
I am delighted to share another beautiful submission to the Monk in the World guest post series from the community. Read on for Christine Aroney-Sine’s reflection, “Enter the Re-Wonderment of the World.” This year has been an amazing awe and wonder springtime on America’s west coast. In California the spectacular blooming of the desert brought thousands of people out to relish the brilliant oranges, yellows and purples of the flowers whose seeds lie dormant, sometimes for years waiting for rain. In Oregon brilliant purple lupines waved their heads across the mountainsides and here in Seattle, smiling daffodils gave way to tulips and
Dearest monks, artists, and pilgrims, This spring I have completed the manuscript for my next book due out in spring 2020 tentatively titled Earth as the Original Monastery. I have been working with this image for several years now and have taught retreats both live and online to explore a deepened intimacy with the earth. To remember that earth is the primal teacher of prayer and sacrament is to cherish it as truly holy, as the truth of the incarnation. It is work that really calls to my heart more and more, especially in this time of our human journey
From June 2019 – June 2020 we will be taking a sabbatical in celebration of our Jubilee year. Everyone who signs up for Level 2-4 of our Jubilee program before June 24th will be entered to win a prize – two people will be selected in a random drawing to receive the audiobook version of The Soul’s Slow Ripening: 12 Celtic Practices for Seeking the Sacred. Winners will be contacted the week of June 25th.
I am delighted to share another beautiful submission to the Monk in the World guest post series from the community. Read on for Beth Adoette’s reflection “Grace. Daily Grace.” I am not a fan of catchphrases. They make me cringe. “One Day at a Time” is one of those sayings that seemed to be written on every other card I received in the mail when I was going through a serious health issue years ago. “Just Breathe” is another one. Two words that can create in me more anxiety and hyperventilating than attempting to be still without them. But I
Fling wide the gates, open the ancient doors, and the Holy One will come in! —Psalm 24 Dearest monks, artists, and pilgrims, In preparation for our Jubilee year of sabbatical I have been reading Maria Harris’ book Jubilee Time: Celebrating Women, Spirit, and the Advent of Age. She begins with the image of Crossing the Threshold which has been a potent one for me for many years, perhaps because I have felt my life to be a whole series of thresholds summoning me to new mysteries and adventures. She draws from the biblical text which John explored for you in
I am delighted to share another beautiful submission from one our newest Wisdom Council members. Read on for Michael Moore’s “Reflections on the Contemplative Life.” What is Contemplative Life? When I first became aware of the term, I associated it with Monks and Nuns in Monasteries and Convents who lived in relative isolation from the outside world. To be honest, I didn’t really see how it could apply to me during my 21 years as a US Air Force Chaplain. That understanding began to turn during the last three years I was in the Air Force. I found myself going through a divorce
In April, 18 creative souls gathered with us for our retreat on Inismor – Sacred Rhythms of Sky, Sun, Sea and Stone. We had a wonderful group with participants from all over the U.S., Canada, U.K., and Australia. I am delighted to share some of their poems. Pour a cup of tea, imagine yourself on a windswept limestone island in the Atlantic, and savor for a while. From Kathy Marsh Morning Blessing Lilting through the air, The full-hearted song of bird Weaves into the air, Braiding into a joy That touches the landscape and Tapestries into The crevassed walls; The
