I am heading off to the desert for a time of Lenten retreat and leave you with some rainy day images from the Kubota Japanese Garden here in Seattle. The desert mothers and fathers will be my companions for this journey. My heart is ready to move into silence to listen for a deeper voice. I’ll let you know some of what I discover upon my return. (Click here for a visual meditation on tulips.)
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
10 Responses
The ice is finally out.
Hallelujah!
Namaste
There -the dew drop
There -the circling,shimmering waters
Life moistening life.
endless pools of Love……….
Dear Christine,
All your photography is amazing, but the two water photos and the (last) stone photo especially touched my soul. Thank you for this gift.
May you be further blessed in the desert.
Lovely images — and a reminder for me to never be long without solitude.
Each image,
exquisite beauty,
opens my heart,
again,
and again.
Thank you. May Ancient Love accompany you in the desert Christine.
Those water images just made me gasp! Thanks for sharing your photography gift with us…
Each image is so perfect, unique in it’s manifestation of the Divine. Thank you for reminding me to look ever closer.
Thank you for these images and signs of spring!
lovely