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

I am delighted to share another beautiful submission for the Monk in the World guest post series from the community. Read on for Peggy Meisen’s wisdom: Gray, gray and winter Monk’s robes, plain and soft from wear The Ordinary But then, the Great light, Presence, Humility, Truth A transformation Our lives shimmering Changing, growing, glistening A royal banquet   The intimacy of the gaze of God upon us as we choose awareness is incredible. It is like a secret but, a secret open to all. Could there be such a thing?  A secret that is both personal and communal. In the rest and space of

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: