I am delighted to share another beautiful submission to the Monk in the World guest post series from the community. Read on for Jessica Curtis’ reflection, The Pace of Nature . This past summer, I up and moved my family to France. I have always wanted my children to experience a different culture and learn a second language. The decision to do it now came more from a desire for them (and myself) to experience a different pace of life. Back in the U.S., I thought I was making conscious decisions not to overschedule our family. Saying no to events, extra clubs and commitments. But by last

I’m delighted to share another beautiful submission to our Monk in the World guest post series from the community. Read on for Mayra Hall’s reflection “Sustaining Our Traditions.” It’s been a week and a day since my granddaughter’s birth, and finally, during a grace-filled conversation, I was able to be fully connected to the emotional swell in my heart.  It had been building up since the moment my daughter went into labor. My daughter started having contractions on Friday and Nova was born on Sunday, August 20, 2017.  Her name was inspired by the recent Solar Eclipse.  Labor was a

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 danger of being a Monk in the World. “DANGER.” That’s the sign that should hang at the entrance to every cloister. In big red letters. The fine print should say, “Warning: Being a Monk in the World is dangerous. Your commitments to silence and solitude, hospitality, community, kinship with creation, work, Sabbath, conversion, and creative joy are subversive and will cause conflict and strife in your everyday life. Your striving for greater

I am delighted to share another beautiful submission to the Monk in the World guest post series from the community. Read on for Kristen Vincent’s reflection on prayer beads and the mystery of God. Last year my friend Thayer gifted me with a set of prayer beads. It could have been an ironic gift given that I make prayer beads for a living; it’s not as if I was in need of a set. Instead, the gift was deeply touching. Clearly, Thayer wanted to make a set of beads for me and was confident enough to give them to me.

I am delighted to share another beautiful submission to the Monk in the World guest post series from the community. Read on for Dotti Delffs‘ reflection, Spiritual Practicals. When I first heard of spiritual practices I thought you had to be Catholic or Greek Orthodox or some sort of woo-woo denomination to practice them. Then about twelve years ago, I was talking to a friend who had just completed a Benedictine spiritual formation program. I had no idea what such a program would involve but something inside me said, “I have to do that.” Two days later, I was sitting in

I am delighted to share another beautiful submission to the Monk in the World guest post series from the community. Read on for Janelle Harvey’s reflection, The Language of Feathers. On a cold winter day, after discovering the truth and severity of your daughter’s drug addiction, you might find yourself running into the woods seeking the comfort and presence and help of God in that place of solitude and solace. Desperate tears will freeze on your cheeks as you sob a prayer to God: Help! Please! Protection! The words won’t matter; you will have turned all your attention to God. Sorrow,

I am delighted to share another beautiful submission to the Monk in the World guest post series from the community. Read on for Pat Butler’s reflection, Thirsty Walls.  As veteran homeowners know, the work never ends. Nor does spiritual work. And as this novice homeowner discovered, one can inform the other in a monastic practice of restoration: renovations! Wall prep seemed to go on forever as I peeled wallpaper, cleaned and scrubbed glue, repaired cracks and spackled dings, sanded, preparing the walls to receive paint. I prayed through the work—for help, strength, knowledge, protection—in this new monastic cell, with a