I am delighted to share another beautiful submission to the Monk in the World guest post series from the community. Read on for Cheryl Bartky’s reflection, “Eclipses and Shooting Stars.” The solar eclipse may be a forgotten memory for many of the millions of people who watched it on August 21st.  But for me, it is still alive: the slow progression of the moon’s shadow sweeping across the Sun.  The moments of complete darkness.   The shimmer of the Sun’s corona surrounding its now blackened center.  The re-emergence of the Sun’s light with a dazzling diamond flash.  The progressive unveiling of

I am delighted to share another beautiful submission for the Monk in the World guest post series from the community. Read on for Debby’s Bellingham reflection, “Elevator Pitch.” “You need a memorable tag line,” adamantly declared one presenter. Another concurred, “You need to have your elevator pitch ready.” I naively attended a national Christian writer’s conference expecting instruction on honing my craft. Instead, I learned what I needed to do to become a “super blogger.” I didn’t really want to be a super blogger, but they knew better than me, they were published and recognized authors. The world needed my voice,

I am delighted to share another beautiful submission for the Monk in the World guest post series from the community. Read on for Ally Markotich’s reflection, “Noticing as a Gateway to the Divine.” The rhythm of the day doesn’t escape me. Kylo won’t let it. He, our family’s zesty yellow lab, follows me close as I blearily pour my coffee. He pants as I slowly sip. He hopefully looks as I open my closet doors waiting for me to grab… Will she?… Won’t she? Sneakers! Yes! His awkward dance of whimper, whine and skip nearly trips me as I clip

I am delighted to share another beautiful submission for the Monk in the World guest post series from the community. Read on for Patricia Brenneman’s reflection “Surrender to the Mother Vessel.” As a monk in the world, I pay close attention to image – images that emerge in meditation, in dreams, in real life, perhaps as a creature that unexpectedly crosses my path. Image is the language of the soul, expressing something which resides in our very depths and which calls for holy attention. I yearn to explore and embody life “mythically”, as Sharon Blackie describes – to feel that connection to ” .

I am delighted to share another beautiful submission for the Monk in the World guest post series from the community. Read on for Katie Birkeland’s reflection “Making Art.” Strangely, my body is willing tonight.  It is my souls that seems exhausted.  I cry just a few lonely tears. Not knowing what else to do, I make some tea and light some candles.  The house is a peaceful quiet.  All is well, but is it well with my soul?  The rain, steady and calming, dreary and fresh, mix with the sound of the refrigerator and Little Man’s feet bumping the wall.  My pen starts

I am delighted to share another beautiful submission for the Monk in the World guest post series from the community. Read on for Christine Davis’ reflection “Losing the Weight.” Weighted down by worries, work, and weariness, I struggle to release the anxious thoughts, monsters in my mind, problems building and consequences looming. Sick dog still, a daily trial for her and us, every day for six weeks now, distress and hope,    I breathe, let the breeze wash over me as I embrace my self today.   compassion and caution. Work piling and time ending, summer is almost over–the four saddest words in

I am delighted to share another beautiful submission for the Monk in the World guest post series from the community. Read on for Florence Heyhoe’s reflection on contemplation and trauma. contemplation the silence fell into me as the sun went down and held me in expectant quiet in your presence and in your absence. tripping and tumbling and bumping into YOU and finding me deeper and deeper. long lost shadows remembered to be forgotten. looking and seeing as never before tearing and restoring and making new colour and stitch and torrents of tears in the sunshine and the dark. looking and seeing anew.