Dearest dancing monks, artists, and pilgrims, Tomorrow Simon and I will be joined by guest musician Will Boesl for our monthly Contemplative Prayer Service. Our theme this month is the 6th principle of the Monk Manifesto, Sabbath. Here is an excerpt from our Monk in the World self-study retreat. Principle 6: I commit to rhythms of rest and renewal through the regular practice of Sabbath and resist a culture of busyness that measures my worth by what I do. The work of the monk is important, but equally important are rhythms of rest and restoration. The Rule of Benedict is exquisitely balanced in this way. In a world which

Blessing for Silence and Solitude*Holy Source of Silence,beneath the clatter and din of the everydayyou offer your mysteries to our hearts.You call us to pause,to slow down and listen to the true longingplanted in each of us by you, a seed of holy desire.Support us in letting go of the inner and outer noise.Open wide in us a sacred cave for stillnesswhere we can attune to your presence.Enliven us with the gift of your sweet musicand allow us to encounter your holy presenceflaming in each of our hearts.Help us to catch a note of your songin the wind or in