Visit the Abbey of the Arts online retreat platform to access your programs:

Art and Spiritual Practice

Published: May 22, 2009
Categories: Art and Spirituality

So have you missed the Abbey this week? I have been on an amazing journey for five days with even more amazing women. We close our time together this morning and then I will head back home to rest and renew and will return to blogging Monday. In the meantime, visit my article on Art and Spiritual Practice at Patheos, a new site offering resources to explore the gifts of different religious traditions.

You might also enjoy

End of Year Giving

Your donations help us make what we do fully accessible to all who desire to be a part of this virtual monastery and gathering of kindred spirits. It is because of your generosity that we are able to offer many free resources – such as our

December 13, 2024

Monk in the World Guest Post: Melanie-Préjean Sullivan

I am delighted to share another beautiful submission to the Monk in the World guest post series from the community. Read on for Melanie-Préjean Sullivan’s reflection on her morning prayer practice. I have always been a student of spirituality. From the time I could read,

December 11, 2024

Community + Give Me a Word ~ A Love Note from Your Online Abbess

A Blessing for Friendship and Community*God of friendshipI come to know your love and carethrough the embodied presence of others.Weave me together with kindred spirits,knit me more closely with friends of the soul,cultivate in me a kinship with humanityso that I recognize my struggles and

December 8, 2024

One Response

Tess says:

May 22, 2009 at 2:04 pm

Yes I do miss you, and am not the least bit envious… But great that you’re on Patheos and contributing. I just joined yesterday and will friend you.

img:is([sizes="auto" i],[sizes^="auto," i]){contain-intrinsic-size:3000px 1500px;}img.wp-smiley,img.emoji{display:inline !important;border:none !important;box-shadow:none !important;height:1em !important;width:1em !important;margin:0 .07em !important;vertical-align:-.1em !important;background:none !important;padding:0 !important;}.wp-block-rank-math-toc-block nav ol{counter-reset:item;}.wp-block-rank-math-toc-block nav ol li{display:block;}.wp-block-rank-math-toc-block nav ol li:before{content:counters(item,".") ". ";counter-increment:item;}@-webkit-keyframes spin{0%{-webkit-transform:rotate(0deg);}100%{-webkit-transform:rotate(-360deg);}}@keyframes spin{0%{-webkit-transform:rotate(0deg);}100%{-webkit-transform:rotate(-360deg);}}@keyframes bounce{from{-webkit-transform:translateY(0px);transform:translateY(0px);}to{-webkit-transform:translateY(-5px);transform:translateY(-5px);}}@-webkit-keyframes bounce{from{-webkit-transform:translateY(0px);transform:translateY(0px);}to{-webkit-transform:translateY(-5px);transform:translateY(-5px);}}@-webkit-keyframes loading{0%{background-size:20% 50%,20% 50%,20% 50%;}20%{background-size:20% 20%,20% 50%,20% 50%;}40%{background-size:20% 100%,20% 20%,20% 50%;}60%{background-size:20% 50%,20% 100%,20% 20%;}80%{background-size:20% 50%,20% 50%,20% 100%;}100%{background-size:20% 50%,20% 50%,20% 50%;}}@keyframes loading{0%{background-size:20% 50%,20% 50%,20% 50%;}20%{background-size:20% 20%,20% 50%,20% 50%;}40%{background-size:20% 100%,20% 20%,20% 50%;}60%{background-size:20% 50%,20% 100%,20% 20%;}80%{background-size:20% 50%,20% 50%,20% 100%;}100%{background-size:20% 50%,20% 50%,20% 50%;}}:root{--rankmath-wp-adminbar-height:0;}#rank-math-rich-snippet-wrapper{overflow:hidden;}#rank-math-rich-snippet-wrapper h5.rank-math-title{display:block;font-size:18px;line-height:1.4;}#rank-math-rich-snippet-wrapper .rank-math-review-image{float:right;max-width:40%;margin-left:15px;}#rank-math-rich-snippet-wrapper .rank-math-review-data{margin-bottom:15px;}#rank-math-rich-snippet-wrapper .rank-math-total-wrapper{width:100%;padding:0 0 20px 0;float:left;clear:both;position:relative;-webkit-box-sizing:border-box;box-sizing:border-box;}#rank-math-rich-snippet-wrapper .rank-math-total-wrapper .rank-math-total{border:0;display:block;margin:0;width:auto;float:left;text-align:left;padding:0;font-size:24px;line-height:1;font-weight:700;-webkit-box-sizing:border-box;box-sizing:border-box;overflow:hidden;}#rank-math-rich-snippet-wrapper .rank-math-total-wrapper .rank-math-review-star{float:left;margin-left:15px;margin-top:5px;position:relative;z-index:99;line-height:1;}#rank-math-rich-snippet-wrapper .rank-math-total-wrapper .rank-math-review-star .rank-math-review-result-wrapper{display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;position:relative;color:#e7e7e7;}#rank-math-rich-snippet-wrapper .rank-math-total-wrapper .rank-math-review-star .rank-math-review-result-wrapper .rank-math-review-result{position:absolute;top:0;left:0;overflow:hidden;white-space:nowrap;color:#ffbe01;}#rank-math-rich-snippet-wrapper .rank-math-total-wrapper .rank-math-review-star .rank-math-review-result-wrapper i{font-size:18px;-webkit-text-stroke-width:1px;font-style:normal;padding:0 2px;line-height:inherit;}#rank-math-rich-snippet-wrapper .rank-math-total-wrapper .rank-math-review-star .rank-math-review-result-wrapper i:before{content:"★";}body.rtl #rank-math-rich-snippet-wrapper .rank-math-review-image{float:left;margin-left:0;margin-right:15px;}body.rtl #rank-math-rich-snippet-wrapper .rank-math-total-wrapper .rank-math-total{float:right;}body.rtl #rank-math-rich-snippet-wrapper .rank-math-total-wrapper .rank-math-review-star{float:right;margin-left:0;margin-right:15px;}body.rtl #rank-math-rich-snippet-wrapper .rank-math-total-wrapper .rank-math-review-star .rank-math-review-result{left:auto;right:0;}@media screen and (max-width: 480px){#rank-math-rich-snippet-wrapper .rank-math-review-image{display:block;max-width:100%;width:100%;text-align:center;margin-right:0;}#rank-math-rich-snippet-wrapper .rank-math-review-data{clear:both;}}.clear{clear:both;}.wpv-sort-list-dropdown.wpv-sort-list-dropdown-style-default > span.wpv-sort-list,.wpv-sort-list-dropdown.wpv-sort-list-dropdown-style-default .wpv-sort-list-item{border-color:#cdcdcd;}.wpv-sort-list-dropdown.wpv-sort-list-dropdown-style-default .wpv-sort-list-item a{color:#444;background-color:#fff;}.wpv-sort-list-dropdown.wpv-sort-list-dropdown-style-default a:hover,.wpv-sort-list-dropdown.wpv-sort-list-dropdown-style-default a:focus{color:#000;background-color:#eee;}.wpv-sort-list-dropdown.wpv-sort-list-dropdown-style-default .wpv-sort-list-item.wpv-sort-list-current a{color:#000;background-color:#eee;}.wpv-sort-list-dropdown.wpv-sort-list-dropdown-style-default > span.wpv-sort-list,.wpv-sort-list-dropdown.wpv-sort-list-dropdown-style-default .wpv-sort-list-item{border-color:#cdcdcd;}.wpv-sort-list-dropdown.wpv-sort-list-dropdown-style-default .wpv-sort-list-item a{color:#444;background-color:#fff;}.wpv-sort-list-dropdown.wpv-sort-list-dropdown-style-default a:hover,.wpv-sort-list-dropdown.wpv-sort-list-dropdown-style-default a:focus{color:#000;background-color:#eee;}.wpv-sort-list-dropdown.wpv-sort-list-dropdown-style-default .wpv-sort-list-item.wpv-sort-list-current a{color:#000;background-color:#eee;}.wpv-sort-list-dropdown.wpv-sort-list-dropdown-style-grey > span.wpv-sort-list,.wpv-sort-list-dropdown.wpv-sort-list-dropdown-style-grey .wpv-sort-list-item{border-color:#cdcdcd;}.wpv-sort-list-dropdown.wpv-sort-list-dropdown-style-grey .wpv-sort-list-item a{color:#444;background-color:#eee;}.wpv-sort-list-dropdown.wpv-sort-list-dropdown-style-grey a:hover,.wpv-sort-list-dropdown.wpv-sort-list-dropdown-style-grey a:focus{color:#000;background-color:#e5e5e5;}.wpv-sort-list-dropdown.wpv-sort-list-dropdown-style-grey .wpv-sort-list-item.wpv-sort-list-current a{color:#000;background-color:#e5e5e5;}.wpv-sort-list-dropdown.wpv-sort-list-dropdown-style-default > span.wpv-sort-list,.wpv-sort-list-dropdown.wpv-sort-list-dropdown-style-default .wpv-sort-list-item{border-color:#cdcdcd;}.wpv-sort-list-dropdown.wpv-sort-list-dropdown-style-default .wpv-sort-list-item a{color:#444;background-color:#fff;}.wpv-sort-list-dropdown.wpv-sort-list-dropdown-style-default a:hover,.wpv-sort-list-dropdown.wpv-sort-list-dropdown-style-default a:focus{color:#000;background-color:#eee;}.wpv-sort-list-dropdown.wpv-sort-list-dropdown-style-default .wpv-sort-list-item.wpv-sort-list-current a{color:#000;background-color:#eee;}.wpv-sort-list-dropdown.wpv-sort-list-dropdown-style-grey > span.wpv-sort-list,.wpv-sort-list-dropdown.wpv-sort-list-dropdown-style-grey .wpv-sort-list-item{border-color:#cdcdcd;}.wpv-sort-list-dropdown.wpv-sort-list-dropdown-style-grey .wpv-sort-list-item a{color:#444;background-color:#eee;}.wpv-sort-list-dropdown.wpv-sort-list-dropdown-style-grey a:hover,.wpv-sort-list-dropdown.wpv-sort-list-dropdown-style-grey a:focus{color:#000;background-color:#e5e5e5;}.wpv-sort-list-dropdown.wpv-sort-list-dropdown-style-grey .wpv-sort-list-item.wpv-sort-list-current a{color:#000;background-color:#e5e5e5;}.wpv-sort-list-dropdown.wpv-sort-list-dropdown-style-blue > span.wpv-sort-list,.wpv-sort-list-dropdown.wpv-sort-list-dropdown-style-blue .wpv-sort-list-item{border-color:#09c;}.wpv-sort-list-dropdown.wpv-sort-list-dropdown-style-blue .wpv-sort-list-item a{color:#444;background-color:#cbddeb;}.wpv-sort-list-dropdown.wpv-sort-list-dropdown-style-blue a:hover,.wpv-sort-list-dropdown.wpv-sort-list-dropdown-style-blue a:focus{color:#000;background-color:#95bedd;}.wpv-sort-list-dropdown.wpv-sort-list-dropdown-style-blue .wpv-sort-list-item.wpv-sort-list-current a{color:#000;background-color:#95bedd;}.wp-block-button__link{color:#fff;background-color:#32373c;border-radius:9999px;box-shadow:none;text-decoration:none;padding:calc(.667em + 2px) calc(1.333em + 2px);font-size:1.125em;}.wp-block-file__button{background:#32373c;color:#fff;text-decoration:none;}:root{--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--square:1;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--4-3:4/3;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--3-4:3/4;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--3-2:3/2;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--2-3:2/3;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--16-9:16/9;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--9-16:9/16;--wp--preset--color--black:#000;--wp--preset--color--cyan-bluish-gray:#abb8c3;--wp--preset--color--white:#fff;--wp--preset--color--pale-pink:#f78da7;--wp--preset--color--vivid-red:#cf2e2e;--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-orange:#ff6900;--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-amber:#fcb900;--wp--preset--color--light-green-cyan:#7bdcb5;--wp--preset--color--vivid-green-cyan:#00d084;--wp--preset--color--pale-cyan-blue:#8ed1fc;--wp--preset--color--vivid-cyan-blue:#0693e3;--wp--preset--color--vivid-purple:#9b51e0;--wp--preset--gradient--vivid-cyan-blue-to-vivid-purple:linear-gradient(135deg,rgba(6,147,227,1) 0%,#9b51e0 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--light-green-cyan-to-vivid-green-cyan:linear-gradient(135deg,#7adcb4 0%,#00d082 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-vivid-amber-to-luminous-vivid-orange:linear-gradient(135deg,rgba(252,185,0,1) 0%,rgba(255,105,0,1) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-vivid-orange-to-vivid-red:linear-gradient(135deg,rgba(255,105,0,1) 0%,#cf2e2e 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--very-light-gray-to-cyan-bluish-gray:linear-gradient(135deg,#eee 0%,#a9b8c3 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--cool-to-warm-spectrum:linear-gradient(135deg,#4aeadc 0%,#9778d1 20%,#cf2aba 40%,#ee2c82 60%,#fb6962 80%,#fef84c 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--blush-light-purple:linear-gradient(135deg,#ffceec 0%,#9896f0 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--blush-bordeaux:linear-gradient(135deg,#fecda5 0%,#fe2d2d 50%,#6b003e 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-dusk:linear-gradient(135deg,#ffcb70 0%,#c751c0 50%,#4158d0 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--pale-ocean:linear-gradient(135deg,#fff5cb 0%,#b6e3d4 50%,#33a7b5 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--electric-grass:linear-gradient(135deg,#caf880 0%,#71ce7e 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--midnight:linear-gradient(135deg,#020381 0%,#2874fc 100%);--wp--preset--font-size--small:13px;--wp--preset--font-size--medium:20px;--wp--preset--font-size--large:36px;--wp--preset--font-size--x-large:42px;--wp--preset--spacing--20:.44rem;--wp--preset--spacing--30:.67rem;--wp--preset--spacing--40:1rem;--wp--preset--spacing--50:1.5rem;--wp--preset--spacing--60:2.25rem;--wp--preset--spacing--70:3.38rem;--wp--preset--spacing--80:5.06rem;--wp--preset--shadow--natural:6px 6px 9px rgba(0,0,0,.2);--wp--preset--shadow--deep:12px 12px 50px rgba(0,0,0,.4);--wp--preset--shadow--sharp:6px 6px 0px rgba(0,0,0,.2);--wp--preset--shadow--outlined:6px 6px 0px -3px rgba(255,255,255,1),6px 6px rgba(0,0,0,1);--wp--preset--shadow--crisp:6px 6px 0px rgba(0,0,0,1);}:where(.is-layout-flex){gap:.5em;}:where(.is-layout-grid){gap:.5em;}body .is-layout-flex{display:flex;}.is-layout-flex{flex-wrap:wrap;align-items:center;}.is-layout-flex > :is(*,div){margin:0;}body .is-layout-grid{display:grid;}.is-layout-grid > :is(*,div){margin:0;}:where(.wp-block-columns.is-layout-flex){gap:2em;}:where(.wp-block-columns.is-layout-grid){gap:2em;}:where(.wp-block-post-template.is-layout-flex){gap:1.25em;}:where(.wp-block-post-template.is-layout-grid){gap:1.25em;}.has-black-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--black) !important;}.has-cyan-bluish-gray-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--cyan-bluish-gray) !important;}.has-white-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--white) !important;}.has-pale-pink-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--pale-pink) !important;}.has-vivid-red-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-red) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-orange-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-orange) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-amber-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-amber) !important;}.has-light-green-cyan-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--light-green-cyan) !important;}.has-vivid-green-cyan-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-green-cyan) !important;}.has-pale-cyan-blue-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--pale-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-cyan-blue-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-purple-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-purple) !important;}.has-black-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--black) !important;}.has-cyan-bluish-gray-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--cyan-bluish-gray) !important;}.has-white-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--white) !important;}.has-pale-pink-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--pale-pink) !important;}.has-vivid-red-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-red) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-orange-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-orange) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-amber-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-amber) !important;}.has-light-green-cyan-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--light-green-cyan) !important;}.has-vivid-green-cyan-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-green-cyan) !important;}.has-pale-cyan-blue-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--pale-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-cyan-blue-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-purple-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-purple) !important;}.has-black-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--black) !important;}.has-cyan-bluish-gray-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--cyan-bluish-gray) !important;}.has-white-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--white) !important;}.has-pale-pink-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--pale-pink) !important;}.has-vivid-red-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-red) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-orange-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-orange) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-amber-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-amber) !important;}.has-light-green-cyan-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--light-green-cyan) !important;}.has-vivid-green-cyan-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-green-cyan) !important;}.has-pale-cyan-blue-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--pale-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-cyan-blue-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-purple-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-purple) !important;}.has-vivid-cyan-blue-to-vivid-purple-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--vivid-cyan-blue-to-vivid-purple) !important;}.has-light-green-cyan-to-vivid-green-cyan-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--light-green-cyan-to-vivid-green-cyan) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-amber-to-luminous-vivid-orange-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-vivid-amber-to-luminous-vivid-orange) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-orange-to-vivid-red-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-vivid-orange-to-vivid-red) !important;}.has-very-light-gray-to-cyan-bluish-gray-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--very-light-gray-to-cyan-bluish-gray) !important;}.has-cool-to-warm-spectrum-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--cool-to-warm-spectrum) !important;}.has-blush-light-purple-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--blush-light-purple) !important;}.has-blush-bordeaux-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--blush-bordeaux) !important;}.has-luminous-dusk-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-dusk) !important;}.has-pale-ocean-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--pale-ocean) !important;}.has-electric-grass-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--electric-grass) !important;}.has-midnight-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--midnight) !important;}.has-small-font-size{font-size:var(--wp--preset--font-size--small) !important;}.has-medium-font-size{font-size:var(--wp--preset--font-size--medium) !important;}.has-large-font-size{font-size:var(--wp--preset--font-size--large) !important;}.has-x-large-font-size{font-size:var(--wp--preset--font-size--x-large) !important;}:where(.wp-block-post-template.is-layout-flex){gap:1.25em;}:where(.wp-block-post-template.is-layout-grid){gap:1.25em;}:where(.wp-block-columns.is-layout-flex){gap:2em;}:where(.wp-block-columns.is-layout-grid){gap:2em;}:root :where(.wp-block-pullquote){font-size:1.5em;line-height:1.6;}.e-con.e-parent:nth-of-type(n+4):not(.e-lazyloaded):not(.e-no-lazyload),.e-con.e-parent:nth-of-type(n+4):not(.e-lazyloaded):not(.e-no-lazyload) *{background-image:none !important;}@media screen and (max-height: 1024px){.e-con.e-parent:nth-of-type(n+3):not(.e-lazyloaded):not(.e-no-lazyload),.e-con.e-parent:nth-of-type(n+3):not(.e-lazyloaded):not(.e-no-lazyload) *{background-image:none !important;}.e-con.e-parent:nth-of-type(n+3):not(.e-lazyloaded):not(.e-no-lazyload).nitro-lazy,.e-con.e-parent:nth-of-type(n+3):not(.e-lazyloaded):not(.e-no-lazyload) *.nitro-lazy{background-image:none !important;}}@media screen and (max-height: 640px){.e-con.e-parent:nth-of-type(n+2):not(.e-lazyloaded):not(.e-no-lazyload),.e-con.e-parent:nth-of-type(n+2):not(.e-lazyloaded):not(.e-no-lazyload) *{background-image:none !important;}.e-con.e-parent:nth-of-type(n+2):not(.e-lazyloaded):not(.e-no-lazyload).nitro-lazy,.e-con.e-parent:nth-of-type(n+2):not(.e-lazyloaded):not(.e-no-lazyload) *.nitro-lazy{background-image:none !important;}}.e-con.e-parent:nth-of-type(n+4):not(.e-lazyloaded):not(.e-no-lazyload).nitro-lazy,.e-con.e-parent:nth-of-type(n+4):not(.e-lazyloaded):not(.e-no-lazyload) *.nitro-lazy{background-image:none !important;}.css-events-list thead{display:none !important;}.css-events-list table.events-table td{border:hidden;padding-left:10px;padding-bottom:20px;}.css-events-list table.events-table h4 a{margin-bottom:-2px;line-height:1em;color:#71963d !important;font-family:"Alegreya Sans",sans-serif;}.event-image .attachment-100x100{border-radius:100px;}@media only screen and (max-width: 768px){.event-image{width:110px;}}#em_widget-3{color:#e0d09e;}.content-box-green{background-color:#71963d;padding:15px;border-radius:10px;}.tb-button__link{color:white !important;background-color:#71963d;}.wp-block-verse{font-family:"Alegreya Sans",sans-serif;}

Visit the Abbey of the Arts online retreat platform to access your programs:

Art and Spiritual Practice

You might also enjoy

End of Year Giving

Monk in the World Guest Post: Melanie-Préjean Sullivan

Community + Give Me a Word ~ A Love Note from Your Online Abbess

One Response

Upcoming Programs

Recent Reflections

Winter Solstice Blessing ~ A Love from Your Online Abbess

End of Year Giving

Monk in the World Guest Post: Melanie-Préjean Sullivan

Community + Give Me a Word ~ A Love Note from Your Online Abbess

Connect with Us