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,

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, “A Prayer for All of Creation.” Living the quiet and contemplative life of an artist and “monk in the world” in Ontario, Canada, I am blessed to have each distinct and seasonal quarter turn of Nature’s Wheel influence both my art and my prayers. In the winter months, those prayers are often for the birds, animals and trees that must endure the harshness of our Canadian sub-zero temperatures and snowy storms. This winter though,

I am delighted to share another beautiful submission to the Monk in the World guest post series from the community. This one comes from Melinda Emily Thomas, Administrative Assistant for Abbey of the Arts, whose new book, Sacred Balance: Aligning Body and Spirit Through Yoga and the Benedictine Way, published by Broadleaf Books will be released October 13th. Studded with illustrations of basic yoga poses and ideas for wellness, prayers, and meditations, this book offers principles and practices that guide us toward peace and wholeness. “In the earliest days of grade school we learn our primary colors: red, yellow, blue. Then the secondary colors: green,