I am delighted to share another beautiful submission to our Monk in the World guest post series from the community. Read on for Robert Walk’s reflection “Do Dancing Monks Retire?” One of our monk manifesto principles is that of silence. Silence is an attribute I come by naturally. Silence as in quiet, particularly in a group, be it in family gatherings or otherwise. However, being quiet or silent as a personality trait does not equate to the practice of silence that defines part of our “monkdom” qualities, although it may contribute to its development. For fifty-three years I have participated

I am delighted to share another beautiful submission to the Monk in the World guest post series from the community. Read on for Pat Slentz’s reflection and poem “Touchdown into a Silence.” I greatly appreciate the joy and perspective that living in the mountains brings me.  For me, the mountains are the perfect metaphor for the up and down struggles we face in our pilgrimage through this life.  The sounds and sights of mountaintops and valleys both open me to the expanse of God’s love and creation and strengthen my connection to Spirit.  Photographing the beauty of Colorado on long walks with my

I am delighted to share another beautiful submission to the Monk in the World guest post series from the community. Read on for Shelagh Huston’s reflection on the power of rest. Last spring, with dozens of daffodil plants in my front garden, I was looking forward to seeing the host of golden daffodils arising with Easter and the lengthening days. In my neighbours’ yards, and along the roadsides, they were everywhere. I waited – but in my garden, only one daffodil bloomed.  A lonely flower, maybe drooping a little with melancholy for her missing companions. Something like I was feeling

I am delighted to share another beautiful submission to our Monk in the World guest post series from the community. Read on for Colette Lafia’s reflection “Love is Our Anchor.” This past Spring, when wildflowers and poppies were blooming everywhere in Northern California, I felt my heart sing every time I saw a display of color and exuberance. Yet in the midst of this joy, I found myself facing the anxiety and uncertainty of returning to in-person instruction in my role as a part-time public-school librarian.   As I sat in a Zoom meeting with 30 other staff members, trying to