I am delighted to share another beautiful submission to the Monk in the World guest post series from the community. Read on for Pat Leyko Connelly’s poem reflection, “When Winter Moves In.” Snow falling so hard like lace curtains falling from the sky. “It’s beautiful” I say. As it blesses the air it passes through and the ground it falls upon! Those beautiful bright winter days, those are the ones I dream of…with blue sky and brilliant bright sun! I go for walks and the cold air chills my face and fogs up my glasses! But it is beautiful, this

I am delighted to share another beautiful submission to the Monk in the World guest post series from the community. Read on for Kathryn Coneway’s reflection on the contemplative practice of art making during uncertain times. “Now I am revealing new things to you Things hidden and unknown to you Created just now, this very moment. Of these things you have heard nothing until now. So that you cannot say, “Oh yes, I knew this.” -Isaiah 48:6-7 This passage from Isaiah is one of my favorite discoveries from reading “The Artist’s Rule.” For me, truly entering into the unknown and

I am delighted to share another beautiful submission to the Monk in the World guest post series from the community. Read on for Peg Meisen’s reflection on noticing, appreciating, sharing and the value of silence. My perception of what it means to be a monk in the world is really to be one who is noticing, appreciating, and sharing.  Being a monk in the world involves movement, and growth toward greater freedom. It’s growing into the reality of God’s presence with us. It is like participating in an art expression, a dance or a musical piece. There’s always a new

I am delighted to share another beautiful submission to the Monk in the World guest post series from the community. Read on for Michael Kroth’s reflection, “Haiku Drop.” Wind outside my house Cold breeze, sharp slap bites my cheek My eyes see nothing ~Michael Kroth, First Haiku, 1-21-19 I wrote my first haiku during a retreat in McCall, Idaho. I began reading The Art of Pausing: Meditations for the Overworked and Overwhelmed, by Judith Valente, Brother Paul Quenon, and Michael Bever that day, and followed their encouragement to write a haiku daily. On May 27, 2019 I finished reading the book –

I am delighted to share another beautiful submission to the Monk in the World guest post series from the community. Read on for Janeen R. Adil’s reflection on spiritual direction. When I received approval from my denomination to work towards authorized ministry, a new and exciting journey began to unfold. Pastors on the committee overseeing the process laid out educational and other requirements; one urged that I find a spiritual director for myself. “I certainly will!” I told him enthusiastically. And then added, “Umm… What’s a spiritual director?” It was an innocent question. Although I had always been part of one

I am delighted to share another beautiful submission to the Monk in the World guest post series from the community. Read on for Barb Morris’ reflection on the wild flow of the soul. Parker Dam, the deepest dam in the world, sits on the lower Colorado River, on the border between California and Arizona. Both states siphon hundreds of trillions of gallons of water each year from Lake Havasu, the impoundment created by Parker Dam. California water travels more than two hundred miles west through a complex system of pumping stations, tunnels blasted through mountain ranges, and canals, all the

I am delighted to share another beautiful submission to the Monk in the World  guest post series from the community. Read on for Marianne Patrevito’s reflection, “Contemplative Anxiety.”  I consider myself a contemplative. Committing to being a Monk in the World, I lean in towards the practices of the mystics. Centering prayer, lectio divina, solitude and silence feed my soul. I am most alive wandering in the forest near my home, walking through a field, or breathing the air that dances above a large body of water.  I love to create, especially when I am alone, whether it be painting,