“I believe in the revolutionary power of stillness and spaciousness, and of practicing presence to life’s unfolding. I believe this commitment can change the world.” — Christine Valters Paintner Christine joins Carl McColman at Encountering Silence to explore the intersections of silence, spirituality, contemplation, creativity, and living as a monk in the real world. She also offers a special treat at the end of the conversation — she reads a never-before-published poem of hers, “Saint Francis and the Grasshopper.” Listen to the interview here >>

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. There are so many talented writers and artists in this Abbey community, so this is a chance to share your perspective. The link to the reflection will be included in our weekly newsletter which goes out to thousands of subscribers. Please follow these instructions carefully: Please click this link to read a selection of the posts and get a feel for the

This week I had the delight of being interviewed on two different radio shows about my new book The Soul’s Slow Ripening: 12 Celtic Practices for Seeking the Sacred. Tune into The Soul-Directed Life to hear me talk about encircling prayer, seasonal rhythms, and three essential things and to hear my answers to Janet’s three intriguing questions about prayer at the end of our conversation. Tune into Radiantly You! to hear me talk about the gifts of autumn and some of the stories of the Irish monks, including St. Gobnait and her dream and St. Kevin and the blackbird.

Our Ireland retreats and pilgrimages are full already for 2019, however we have two new opportunities for you to join Christine for creative inspiration and contemplative deepening:           Writing on the Wild Edges in the Pacific Northwest March 10-14, 2019 Join us at St. Andrew’s Retreat House on the Hood Canal for a 4-night creative writing retreat. This retreat is normally offered only in Ireland, so take advantage of this opportunity to journey to the wild edges in a supportive community of kindred souls. Limited to 14 participants. More details and registration here >> (Christine will

If you pre-order your copy of my newest book The Soul’s Slow Ripening: 12 Celtic Practices for Seeking the Sacred (click the link for ways to order) and then email your receipt to my wonderful assistant Melinda she will send you a link to a free online mini-retreat which includes a song that has not yet been published, as well as invitations to contemplative practice and creative expression. If you want to share anything that came up for you in this retreat experience you can do so either in our Facebook group at Holy Disorder of Dancing Monks or if you are not on Facebook

We are having a special offer on our self-study online retreats. Register for two retreats from our list of 14 options and forward the receipts for both to Melinda at DancingMonk@AbbeyoftheArts.com and choose a retreat that is lesser in value than each of the first two and you receive it for free! You can be enrolled immediately or start at a later date, just let her know. Offer expires June 24th!      

I am delighted that my poem “Cosmos” above appears in the newest issue of Tiferet Journal (I have permission to include it here but worth subscribing for the whole thing.) My poem “St. Dearbhla’s Eyes” is out in the newest issue of Stinging Fly (a literary journal in Ireland) My poem “St. Kevin Holds Open His Hand” will be in the next issue of Skylight 47 being launched next Thursday at Over the Edge here in Galway City! My poem “God Among the Pots and Pans (after St. Teresa of Avila)” is in the newest issue of Presence: A Journal of Catholic