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Category: Monk in the World Guest Post Series

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Monk in the World Guest Post: Starr Regan DiCiurcio

I am delighted to share another beautiful submission to our Monk in the World guest post series from the community. Read on for Starr Regan DiCiurcio’s reflection and inspiration for writing your own prayer. Over the years I have spent considerable time in monasteries, primarily Buddhist and Benedictine ones.  The rhythm of the days, the beauty of chant, the resonance with ancestors, the faith held in community and the deep solitude all nourish me.  But the day to leave always comes with the challenge of translating the monastic experience into my daily life.  As an Interfaith Minister my work includes spiritual direction, retreats,

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Monk in the World Guest Post: Diana Turner-Forte

I am delighted to share another beautiful submission to the Monk in the World guest post series from the community. Read on for Diana Turner-Forte’s reflection Healing and Mercy. The ordinariness of the elongated single story building belies everything that happens inside. The originally crafted sign in earth tones of green and tan ceramic tiles makes a bold statement: Monarch Gallery. . . where dreams take flight. The sign was designed by a young man who talks incessantly while punching the elements on his cell phone. Earle interrupts conversations and ignores most people, only conversing with a select few. He

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Monk in the World Guest Post: Jennifer Scott Mobley

I am delighted to share another beautiful submission to the Monk in the World guest post series from the community. Read on for Jennifer Scott Mobley’s reflection and poem The Work of Healing. “We are each a multitude of inner voices. Some of these voices are loud, while others may rest hidden in the shadows. When we actively work to cultivate our connection to particular archetypes, we can summon new perspectives and ways of seeing into our lives. They help to illuminate our gifts as well as our blind spots. They appear in dreams, myths, fairy tales, and in our daily lives

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Monk in the World Guest Post Call for Submissions

We welcome you to submit your reflection for possible publication in our Monk in the World guest post series. It is a gift to read how ordinary people are living lives of depth and meaning in the midst of the challenges of real life. There are so many talented writers and artists in this Abbey community, so this is a chance to share your perspective. The link to the reflection will be included in our weekly newsletter which goes out to thousands of subscribers. Submit your own post from one of the following categories on the general theme of “How do I live

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Monk in the World Guest Post: CJ Shelton

I am delighted to share another beautiful submission to the Monk in the World guest post series from the community. Read on for CJ Shelton’s reflection Matching the Beat of the Universe. In the simple delights of Nature’s repeating cycles there is much comfort and clarity to be found, a reassurance that life will always continue, despite so much uncertainty in our human world. Quietly observing the flora and fauna of the local fields and forests has taught me to pay attention to the wonders and magic nature offers. For me, her reliable rhythms and instinctual patterns can always be

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Monk in the World Guest Post: Arlene Davies-Fuhr

I am delighted to share another beautiful submission to our Monk in the World guest post series from the community. Read on for Arlene Davies-Fuhr’s reflection and poem “Some Days.” My poem, “Some Days” was recently composed during Forest Church.  The surroundings reached out to me and asked me to ponder what type of day I was having.  A Robin one?  Or a bug under the stone experience?  I felt called  to embrace it all, no matter what, because the variety in life is stunningly beautiful.  And I know my Creator and Sustainer is ever-present with me.  Some Days Some

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Monk in the World Guest Post: Meg Munro

I am delighted to share another beautiful submission to the Monk in the World guest post series from the community. Read on for Meg Munro’s reflection and paintings on her relationship with the Beloved Mother-Virgin. I had been despairing that my passion for painting was waning and being replaced with my spiritual longings and pilgrimages. How could this be when I had focused my whole life on being an artist? The two felt separate and in conflict. Then, in an inspired moment, it occurred to me to put Guadalupe in my painting.  That is how the Beloved Mother-Virgin came into

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