-Christine Valters Paintner @ Abbey of the Arts
Christine Valters Paintner had a conversation on Creativity, Chronic Illness, and Contemplation with Mike Petrow on his podcast The Healer with a Thousand Faces (also available through audio podcast channels). Joins us in Lent 2027 for the retreat The Wisdom of Our Wounds: Chronic Illness
I am delighted to share another beautiful submission to our Monk in the World guest post series from the community. Read on for Jaqui Eicher’s reflection and poem. After reading Christine Valters Paintner’s poem, “St. Gall and the Bear,” I responded in writing to the prompt:
For Deeper Gratitude*Spirit of Generosity,we come to you with heartsoverflowing with gratitudefor your abundant creation.As we awaken each morning,help us to rememberthis day is a gift,this breath is a grace,this life a wonder.Remind uswith every flower we see,every act of kindness,every moment of connectionto something
4 Responses
Thanks for your comments Gannet Girl, Lucy, and Songbird — this may be one of my favorite poems of the moment!
How utterly lovely!
love this!
This made me think of when my third child was born and I quit working, to a shower of questions along the lines of “For how long?” and “When will you be back?” and “Do you have a plan?”
I wish I had had the line “maybe just looking and listening/is the real work” to quote in response.