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Monk in the World Guest Post: Jan Blencowe

I am delighted to share another beautiful submission to our Monk in the World guest post series from the community. Read on for Jan Blencowe’s reflection “Drawing the Book of Creation.” The quietest pond edge, the still winter woods or the silent desert floor are never really quiet, though it does take a certain kind of listening and seeing to become aware of the life there. I have always had a very strong and sacred connection to nature, even (perhaps especially) as a child. In those younger years it seemed easy to converse and commune with the aliveness of nature.

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May 22, 2019

Sacred Rhythms of Sky, Sun, Sea and Stone: Participant Poems ~ Cathy Roby

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 Cathy Roby Benedictions… Blessed be the birds that sing God’s glory Blessed be the flowers waking up to Spring Blessed be the land that grounds my spirit Blessed be the stones that

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May 20, 2019

How to Be a Pilgrim (new poetry video) ~ A Love Note from Your Online Abbess

How to Be a Pilgrim Air travel is like ancient pilgrims walking on their knees, flight delays and narrow seats offer their own kind of penance. You jettison excess baggage, leaving behind the heavy makeup case, knowing the rain will wash you free of artifice. Books you wanted to carry left too, no more outside words needed, then go old beliefs which keep you taut and twisted inside. Blistered feet stumble over rocky fields covered with wildflowers and you realize this is your life, full of sharp stones and color. Red-breasted robins call forth the song already inside, a hundred

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May 19, 2019

Call for Submissions: Monk in the World Guest Posts

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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May 18, 2019

Featured Poet Series: Barbara Crooker

We are launching a new series this spring with poets whose work we love and want to feature! Our next poet is Barbara Crooker, whose work is deeply inspired by paying attention to how God whispers in the world.  You can hear Barbara reading her poem “Sanctus” below and read more about the connections she makes between poetry and the sacred. Peeps In those last few months my mother didn’t want to eat, this woman who made everything from scratch, and who said of her appetite, I eat like a bricklayer. Now she listlessly stirred the food around her plate, sometimes

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May 15, 2019

Writing on the Wild Edges Participant Poem: Patia Carque

At the end of April, 15 creative souls gathered with us for our retreat on Inismor – Writing on the Wild Edges of the World. We had a wonderful group with participants from all over the U.S., Canada, and South Africa. I am delighted to share some of their poems over these next few weeks. Pour a cup of tea, imagine yourself on a windswept limestone island in the Atlantic, and savor for a while. From Patia Carque Inismore Embraced by waves, winds, anion the Isle will do the work. She’ll lift, kiss, nourish you while cows graze her hilly breasts.

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May 13, 2019

Please Help Support Our Jubilee Year ~ A Love Note from Your Online Abbess

Dearest monks, artists, and pilgrims, Contemplative rhythms are essential here at Abbey of the Arts, both in terms of what we teach as well as what we practice. Each week we try to take a Sabbath day as a time to celebrate the lavish gift of rest. Each summer we take a month of sabbatical time to refresh and renew our bodies and spirits. We both long for a longer time of sabbatical. If we still worked in a university or church setting this might be built in to the financial support, but since we are entirely self-supporting taking this

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May 12, 2019

Monk in the World Guest Post: Adam Webber

I am delighted to share another beautiful submission to the Monk in the World Guest Post series from the community. Read on for Adam Webber’s reflection, “The Lady Loves Me.” Tuesday morning, I wake up grumpy. I don’t want to go to work. Lying in bed, I recite the Breastplate of Saint Patrick to myself: “I arise today through a mighty faith….” I don’t know whether I have a mighty faith this morning or not, but I arise anyway. In my church office I go over the lectionary readings for next Sunday. I am the pastor of this church, and it

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May 8, 2019

Sacred Rhythms of Sky, Sun, Sea and Stone: Participant Poems

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 Katharine Kane: Inishmore fairies Passing the leaf bare brambles Glimpse the fiery sun Stone etching welcome Misting from selkies haven Ancient rebirthing Waking Up in the City In praise of the city noise

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May 6, 2019

Requiem for Myself ~ Poem Video: A Love Note from Your Online Abbess

Requiem for Myself When I die plant a pinwheel in an open field where winter’s wind and rain march forcefully across in battalions, and you can stumble out there to meet me one late afternoon when you feel the world must surely be ending. You, soaked from tears and storms, kinship with dark sky. Me, rainbow axis whirling, an orbit of joyful defiance. You then, inspired, tumble gleefully across grass, pirouette, forgetting for a moment grief’s burden, knowing the world will be with you for many years to come. Never think this brief sojourn wasted as you head back to

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May 5, 2019