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Reflections

Category: Monk in the World

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Reflection by John (Silence and Solitude) ~ A Note from Your Online Prior

Dear pilgrims, monks, and artists, During this Jubilee year of sabbatical we are revisiting our Monk Manifesto by moving slowly through the Monk in the World retreat materials together every Sunday. Each week will offer new reflections on the theme and every six weeks will introduce a new principle. Mark 6:31-33 He said to them, ‘Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest a while.’ For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. And they went away in the boat to a deserted place by themselves. Now many saw them going

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August 4, 2019

Join us in 2019 for a Pilgrimage or Retreat in Ireland

  Join the Abbey in 2019 for a pilgrimage to the sacred edges of the world and of your own heart and horizon. Christine and John Valters Paintner lovingly curate and guide these slow-paced experiences with small groups (12-16 people max) so that we create a community of kindred souls walking a magical landscape. We have had one room come available (can be single or double if traveling with a friend or partner) for Writing on the Wild Edges Retreat in Ireland for August 26-September 1, 2018. Please contact us if you are interested. For program details click here>> March

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February 8, 2018

Dr. Jamie Marich joins the Abbey Wisdom Council!

Abbey of the Arts is delighted to have a Wisdom Council with 12 wise members who enthusiastically support what we do, offer their gifts in service to this community, and provide a sounding board for discernment over future directions. We welcome Dr. Jamie Marich to our council. She is the creator of Dancing Mindfulness, a wonderful contemplative movement practice which Christine has been certified in. Jamie has also written a great book on the practice which you can find here. She has attended live retreats and pilgrimages with the Abbey, been a guest teacher on our Body Wisdom online course, and

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September 17, 2016

Monk in the World guest post: Jenneth Graser

I am delighted to share another beautiful submission for the Monk in the World guest post series from the community. Read on for Jenneth Graser’s reflection the unfolding process: The deep down longing of my heart in this life for the longest time has been to know God and be known by God.  Over the past 8 or so years, this has taken on a completely different flavour as our family has grown.  Going back in time to around 2002, my life twisted in an unexpected way when I came back home to South Africa after attending a Ministry School in Toronto, only

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February 10, 2016

Vienna Monk in the World Pilgrimage – November 12-20, 2016

Join us in the beautiful city of Vienna, Austria where we will stay in a Benedictine guesthouse right in the city center. The Advent markets will be going up around town, illuminating Vienna with a festive atmosphere. We will make journeys out to see other beautiful monasteries as well including Cistercian, Augustinian, and Benedictine. This is a city to make both the monk and artist’s hearts delight! Click here for more details and to register>> We offer pilgrimages to Ireland, Germany, and Austria. You can visit our calendar to see other dates and if a program is full, email us

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October 12, 2015

Abbey of the Arts has a new website! ~ A love note from your online abbess.

Dearest monks, artists, and pilgrims, This love note is more of an update on what is happening around the Abbey as we are celebrating many good things! First, we have a brand new website up, thanks to the stellar work of Lacy Clark Ellman who is a Wisdom Council member and spiritual director, along with star graphic designer. Stop by our new site, and take a look to see what you think. The feedback has already been great about how fresh, spacious, and easy to navigate it is. If you find any broken links or odd formatting on pages we would be most

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October 11, 2015

New Monk Buttons to Share!

Fellow dancing monk, spiritual director, and graphic designer Lacy Clark Ellman of A Sacred Journey has recently helped Abbey of the Arts create a new website. In addition, she created these wonderful buttons you can share with the world to express your commitment! Also stop by the Monk Manifesto page where we have a beautiful new graphic version of those principles you can print out and post as a reminder! Options to Download: Right click on the image you would like, then choose “download image as” or “save image as.” You can also drag and drop the image to your

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October 7, 2015

Upcoming Programs

Contemplative Prayer Service: Kinship with Creation
Contemplative Prayer Service: Kinship with Creation
6 Jan 25
Centering Prayer
Centering Prayer
15 Jan 25
A Midwinter God: Encountering the Divine in Seasons of Darkness
A Midwinter God: Encountering the Divine in Seasons of Darkness
20 Jan 25

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