I am delighted to share another beautiful submission for the Monk in the World guest post series from the community. Read on for Courntey Pinkerton’s reflections on the practices which nourish her path as a monk in the world, including the wisdom of the Enneagram: I used to be quite happy in the righteous do-gooder camp. Fresh out of college working with homeless women and children or later in the Peace Corps in Nicaragua, I was comfortable dividing up the world. There were the social activists and the complacent ones. Those awake to the deep and juicy registers of life and the other people,

I am delighted to share another beautiful submission for the Monk in the World guest post series from the community. Read on for Robert Rife’s wisdom on finding the sacred in the most ordinary moments: I-You-Holy Ground By Robert Alan Rife I am the dusty ground, low and dry thirsty for the imprint of holy feet. Despoil with radiant prints, this virgin ground. You are the rain, falling deftly upon my brown soil. Now is left your footprint on this ground. I am the ashen leaves, curling and broken awaiting but a whisper. For only then can I fall on solid ground. You are the soundless wind,

We welcome you to submit your reflection for possible publication in our Monk in the World guest post series. It is a gift to read how ordinary people are living lives of depth and meaning in the midst of the challenges of real life. This summer the Abbey is taking a break from this series but will return in the fall again. There are so many talented writers and artists in this Abbey community, so this is a chance to share your perspective. The reflection will be included in our weekly newsletter which goes out to more than 8000 subscribers. Please follow these instructions carefully: Details:

I am delighted to share another beautiful submission for the Monk in the World guest post series from the community. Read on for Martha Jane Petersen’s wisdom on quilting as contemplative prayer: At age 65, I encountered a major turn in my life’s road. I slowly heeded a Divine call to become an artist. My hesitations gripped me long and hard. At this stage of life? I exclaimed. And what do I do about my writing, and being a minister?  Whenever I found myself enmeshed in art – among artists, or at galleries, or in my own art making – my energy revved up, excitement mounted, and joy flooded

I am delighted to share another beautiful submission for the Monk in the World guest post series from the community. Read on for Sara Hillis’ poetic wisdom on yielding to the divine Artist at work in us: Mold me, O Potter, for I am Your clay. Shape me, O Sculptor, for I am Your stone. Play me, O Harper, for I am Your Instrument. Sing me, O Bard, for I am Your song. Live me, O Life, for I die without You. Cherish me, O Love, for I pine without You. Speak me, O Word, for I am Your silence. Breathe me, O Breath,

I am delighted to share another beautiful submission for the Monk in the World guest post series from the community. Read on for David Ford’s wisdom on the journey of becoming a monk in the world: How do I live as a monk in the world? Labels are so necessary but can also be misleading, so I usually try to avoid them. Am I really a ‘monk in the world’? It is a label that does have some resonance, so perhaps you will bear with me while I wear it for a few minutes. Admittedly, I have always felt drawn to the monastic. Having a

I am delighted to share another beautiful submission for the Monk in the World guest post series from the community. Read on for Kate Kennington Steer’s wisdom about photography as a portal to presence: Whenever I can, I am to be found with a camera in my hand, but living with chronic illness means my day revolves around how much energy I have, and whether I am mobile enough to leave the house.  Most days I am a very quiet ‘monk’, and ‘the world’ is rather distant, reached only by what is out of the window, and what threads of community I can conjure through