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

Monk in the World guest post: Patricia Kowal

This week in our Monk in the World guest post series we have a beautiful poem from fellow monk Patricia Kowal who lives in Spokane, WA. Read on for her wisdom:

Mystic Within

Compassion, Compass, Passion
Contained in the Mystic-Within
Connected to Love, guided with Love, directed in Love
Flowing through one to another.

The mystic—once hidden under the rubble of past hurts
Covered in costume to protect the vulnerable heart
Now guided in Pure Love and Purpose.

 The summons is clear:
Come with me.
See beyond the protective dress
Nestle close to the tender heart of Mystery.
COMPASSIONCOMPASSion, comPASSION!
I am the Mystic Within.


Patricia KowalI offer spiritual direction and embrace and support walking the spiritual path.  I am a published author of fiction and non-fiction and write poetry to offer balm to the soul. I free-lance counseling skills as a group leader for Onsite Workshops in Tennessee which fosters growth and recovery from painful life experiences and am a retired Registered Nurse.

Click here to read all the guest posts in the Monk in the World series>>

You might also enjoy

Give Me a Word 2025

In ancient times, wise men and women fled out into the desert to find a place where they could be fully present to the divine and to their own inner struggles at work within them. The desert became a place to enter into the refiner’s

Read More »

Monk in the World Guest Post: Sharon Dawn Johnson

I am delighted to share another beautiful submission to the Monk in the World guest post series from the community. Read on for Sharon Dawn Johnson’s reflection Body and Beading As Sacred Texts. Reading and Listening “You need to create your own recipe.” The orthopaedic

Read More »

11 Responses

  1. To my “sole sister”……what a beautiful expression of mystical….that intimacy with God and with others which is usually far beyond words. Thanks for the gift and all the gifts you have bestowed upon me.

  2. Pat,
    The poem spoke to my heart and my experience. The word “rubble” stood out to me with its imagery, weighty debris that I need freedom from. Thank you for the poem and I finally got to see your beautiful face.
    Lynn

  3. The summons is clear, to live, to breath, to love. As we grow from our past, it shapes us and guides us. We have a choice to continue down historic paths, or choose open wide paths, guided by our passion and God’s compassion. May I continue down the path with God’s compass within me.
    Thank you for sharing your poem.

  4. Thank you. I’m glad the Mystic resonated with you. I actually live in Spokane, WA however, Tennessee is near and dear to my heart.

  5. Patricia, what insight I gained from your poetry. Your use of the word compassion shimmered for me in a meaningful way. Thank you for sharing this encouraging poem with us all. Also, I am excited to see that you are in Tennessee. Please tell me that I have a fellow monk near Knoxville. I would love to share a cup of tea.

    1. Your poem is so beautiful, one that I will reflect on often.

      For Carmen – I live just outside Knoxville, near Sweetwater and I would love to meet you and share a cup of tea, but I have no idea how to contact you.

  6. This poem touches my soul. Compassion is the essence of an
    embracing spirit open to looking below the surface into
    The heart of another human.