This week in our Monk in the World guest post series we have a lovely reflection from fellow monk Mary Elyn Bahlert. Read on for her wisdom: ‘As if the sorrows of this world could overwhelm me now that I realize what we are. I wish everyone could realize this. But there is no way of telling people they are all actually walking around shining like the brightest sun.’ —Thomas Merton The world was always there for me – gurgling with joy, shining like the brightest sun, fragrant-full, slippery and hard-edged, colorful beyond belief – and there I was, walking around with my head in

This week in our Monk in the World guest post series we have a beautiful reflection from fellow monk Shirley Cunningham on following the creative spirit. Read on for her wisdom: My calling in this world these days is to lean into the Creative Spirit and invite others to do the same. I knew the call long ago but wasn’t able to name it with clarity. It started with writing. Over the years, I’d written daily filling dozens of notebooks, reflecting on my life and the meaning of events, feelings, and relationships, my struggles, joys and confusions. Gradually, my closet shelves were lined with dusty

This week in our Monk in the World guest post series we have a reflection from fellow monk Trent Tanaro. Read on for his wisdom about the movements of his monastic journey: It is an honor to share the journey with you in this guest post. We are all on a journey of some sort.  Our paths are very diverse in nature; no path is identical to the other, yet we share experiences in so many ways. The ability to share our experiences with others regardless of our ‘type’ of path is a blessing. When we learn to look at the paths

I am delighted to share another beautiful submission for the Monk in the World guest post series from the community. Read on for Marcia Chadly’s wisdom on the gifts of contemplative drawing for becoming a monk in the world: And it was Good Contemplative drawing is one of my favorite practices as a Monk in the World.  The story of contemplative drawing in my life is a creation story.  Spending time with this practice recreated my life.   Each drawing time is also a creation story.  The blank page becomes filled with color and form that brings meaning and life. About

This week in our Monk in the World guest post series we have a beautiful poem from fellow monk Patricia Kowal who lives in Spokane, WA. Read on for her wisdom: Mystic Within Compassion, Compass, Passion Contained in the Mystic-Within Connected to Love, guided with Love, directed in Love Flowing through one to another. The mystic—once hidden under the rubble of past hurts Covered in costume to protect the vulnerable heart Now guided in Pure Love and Purpose.  The summons is clear: Come with me. See beyond the protective dress Nestle close to the tender heart of Mystery. COMPASSION, COMPASSion, comPASSION! I am

This week in our Monk in the World guest post series we have a reflection from fellow monk James Sargent. Read on for his wisdom: I was brought up in a Christian home.  For that I have always been truly thankful. To the age of about 40, I considered myself a committed believer, attending church spasmodically. As the years went by religion slipped out of my life until by the age of about 65, my attitude had hardened into radical atheism. ?Now at 84, I’m picking up the spiritual threads of my earlier years.  Two gifted and loving wives – now both passed on, have been

I am delighted to share another beautiful submission for the Monk in the World guest post series from the community. Read on for Carol Studenka’s wisdom on living as a monk in the world: Can I really call myself a monk in the world? Surprisingly the answer is yes? Over the last few years, I have had many changes in my life. Among them has been finding my way to including meditation practice in my daily life. What began seven years ago as a ten minute a day practice, has now become a practice that is integrally woven into every thing I do, including writing