Photos Archives | Abbey of the Arts

Seeing with the Eyes of the Heart ~ A Love Note from Your Online Abbess

Dearest monks, artists, and pilgrims, Starting in a week, we will be offering a completely revised and updated version of an online companion retreat to my book Eyes of the Heart: Photography as a Christian Contemplative Practice. This book and program remains an ongoing favorite of many dancing monks and it felt like time to revisit this material and invite in some wonderful guest teachers to help illuminate the content further. I am sharing an excerpt here to invite you to consider how receiving the gift of images might help you cultivate your inner monk and artist: My journey with photography began when

October 1, 2023

Pink Petaled Profusion

What are your pink-petaled dreams? What is the longing deep within you just beginning to blossom forth into the world? Will you say yes? And YES? ________________________________________________ © Christine Valters Paintner at Abbey of the Arts: Transformative Living through Contemplative & Expressive Arts

April 22, 2010

On Angels

On Angels All was taken away from you: white dresses, wings, even existence. Yet I believe in you, messengers. There, where the world is turned inside out, a heavy fabric embroidered with stars and beasts, you stroll, inspecting the trustworthy seams. Short is your stay here: now and then at a matinal hour, if the sky is clear, in a melody repeated by a bird, or in the smell of apples at close of day when the light makes the orchards magic. They say somebody has invented you but to me this does not sound convincing for the humans invented

April 15, 2010

Lost

** Stop by last Monday’s post to find out more about 50% for Haiti ** © Christine Valters Paintner at Abbey of the Arts: Transformative Living through Contemplative & Expressive Arts

January 28, 2010

Let it Be Winter Still

I wrote this poem in my journal on Sunday and discovered this morning that a former student died suddenly yesterday. I offer this here in honor of Rob and for all those who are grieving for a multitude of losses: ___________________________________________ *** Let it Be Winter Still Let it be winter a while longer, Let darkness be my closest companion cradling me in her inky velvet shawl. Let the owl cry softly from his place among the long aching branches, under the bone-white face of the moon. Let my heart break for the dead in Haiti, buried under collapsed stone

January 26, 2010

What is God’s will for a wing?

(Photo taken in Squamish, BC – quote discovered while on pilgrimage) * Crossing the Threshold: New Year, New Beginnings will be available early next week – order your copies for holiday gifts today! * © Christine Valters Paintner at Abbey of the Arts: Transformative Living through Contemplative & Expressive Arts

November 20, 2009

Taking Flight

As I began this year I had an encounter with a flock of pigeons which lifted my heart unexpectedly and then I found a feather on my doorstep. And so “Taking Flight” became my image for the year ahead. On my recent pilgrimage, winged ones – both avian and angelic – were significant symbols for me, appearing to me constantly during my travels and reminding me of that heart-transcending moment months before. The crow in particular became significant. I have always loved these black “glossy and rowdy” creatures, and since moving to Seattle over six years ago I have become

November 18, 2009

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Seeing with the Eyes of the Heart ~ A Love Note from Your Online Abbess

Pink Petaled Profusion

On Angels

Lost

Let it Be Winter Still

What is God’s will for a wing?

Taking Flight

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Seeing with the Eyes of the Heart ~ A Love Note from Your Online Abbess

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