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Featured Poet: Arianne Braithwaite Lehn

Last spring we launched a series with poets whose work we love and want to feature and will continue it moving forward. Our next poet is Arianne Braithwaite Lehn whose recent work is centered on prayer with strong themes of acceptance, surrender, intention, and trust. Read her poetry and discover more about the connections she makes between poetry and the sacred. Watch and lister to her read “When I Need Perspective at the Start of the Day” below. When I need perspective at the start of the day In this day, O God, May I be alert. May I be kind. May I

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February 5, 2020

Monk in the World: Work 3 ~ Reflection by Christine + Audio

Dear monks, artists, and pilgrims, During this Jubilee year of sabbatical we are revisiting our Monk Manifesto by moving slowly through the Monk in the World retreat materials together every Sunday. Each week will offer new reflections on the theme and every six weeks will introduce a new principle. Read on or click below to listen to an audio version of this reflection.   Principle 5: “I commit to bringing myself fully present to the work I do, whether paid or unpaid, holding a heart of gratitude for the ability to express my gifts in the world in meaningful ways.” We live

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February 1, 2020

Call for Submissions – Monk in the World Guest Post Series

We welcome you to submit your reflection for possible publication in our Monk in the World guest post series. It is a gift to read how ordinary people are living lives of depth and meaning in the midst of the challenges of real life. There are so many talented writers and artists in this Abbey community, so this is a chance to share your perspective. The link to the reflection will be included in our weekly newsletter which goes out to thousands of subscribers. Please follow these instructions carefully: Please click this link to read a selection of the posts

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February 1, 2020

Four New Poems from Christine at Impspired

I am really delighted to have four poems published at the online journal impspired! You can read them at this link  – “Wittgenstein in Connemara,” “Love Letter,” “Nocturne,” and “Poetry on Four Paws.” The editor also let me know that the last time they published my poems back in August, it was the most read page on their website and I am the second most read author on their site since starting. What all that means is I have an amazing and wonderfully supportive community of readers which is all a writer can dream of. A deep bow of gratitude to

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January 30, 2020

Earth Monastery Mentoring Project & Peer Support (New Program)

In April 2020 Christine Valters Paintner’s book Earth, Our Original Monastery is being published by Ave Maria Press. The book explores concepts like earth as the original cathedral, scripture, saints, spiritual directors, liturgy, icon, and sacrament through wisdom of the Christian mystics and the Hebrew and Christian scriptures. Like most of Christine’s books there is a rich array of experiential exercises (both contemplative and creative) included in each chapter that lends itself well to a retreat experience. We have a companion album of songs being released shortly as well and we are in the process of creating a cycle of

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January 30, 2020

Monk in the World Guest Post: Rich Lewis

I am delighted to share another beautiful submission to the Monk in the World guest post series from the community. Read on for Rich Lewis’ reflection on centering prayer. On workdays my first centering prayer sit is at 5:45 a.m. I always feel some anxiety after I wake. Then I retreat to the basement, light a candle, and sit on a couch. It wakes me up. The anxiety fades. It fills me with interior peace and energizes me for the day. I use the Contemplative Outreach phone app. The timer is set for twenty minutes. I read the opening prayer.

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January 29, 2020

Monk in the World: Work 2 – Scripture Reflection by John ~ A Love Note from Your Online Prior

Dear monks, artists, and pilgrims, During this Jubilee year of sabbatical we are revisiting our Monk Manifesto by moving slowly through the Monk in the World retreat materials together every Sunday. Each week will offer new reflections on the theme and every six weeks will introduce a new principle. Principle 5: I commit to bringing myself fully present to the work I do, whether paid or unpaid, holding a heart of gratitude for the ability to express my gifts in the world in meaningful ways. Matthew 20:1–16 The Labourers in the Vineyard ‘For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who

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January 25, 2020

Featured Poet: Jeanne Murray Walker

Last spring we launched a series with poets whose work we love and want to feature and will continue it moving forward. Our next poet is Jeanne Murray Walker whose recent work was created through the discipline of a sonnet format. Read her poetry and discover more about the connections she makes between poetry and the sacred. Watch and lister to her read “The Creation” below. Staying Power In appreciation of Maxim Gorky at the International convention of Athiests. 1929 Like Gorky, I sometimes follow my doubts outside and question the metal sky, longing to have the fight settled, thinking I can’t

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January 22, 2020

Monk in the World: Work 1 – Reflection by Christine + Art

Dear monks, artists, and pilgrims, During this Jubilee year of sabbatical we are revisiting our Monk Manifesto by moving slowly through the Monk in the World retreat materials together every Sunday. Each week will offer new reflections on the theme and every six weeks will introduce a new principle. Principle 5: I commit to bringing myself fully present to the work I do, whether paid or unpaid, holding a heart of gratitude for the ability to express my gifts in the world in meaningful ways. “In Benedictine spirituality, work is what we do to continue what God wanted done.  Work is co-creative.

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January 19, 2020

Join Abbey of the Arts on retreat in 2021!

We are delighted that all of our 2020 pilgrimages and retreats have been full for several months now (you are always welcome to add yourself to our cancellation list as we do have folks drop out). We are scaling back on our live offerings for 2021 to allow more time for writing but are thrilled to announce the following programs which are currently open for registration: Writing on the Wild Edges: A Creative Retreat on the Island of Inismor (Ireland) with Christine & John Valters Paintner May 9-15, 2021 – limited to 18 participants More details here>> Poetry and the

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January 18, 2020