Stephen Roach who hosts the wonderful Mystics and Makers podcast interviewed me for an episode about my book The Artist’s Rule, creativity and spirituality, and ways to nourish the artistic life. Click here to listen to the podcast >>

Last year Jo-Ellen Darling participated in our Monk in the World pilgrimage and shares this beautiful poem inspired by the magical island of Inismor off the coast of Galway. The Ride to Inismore by Jo-Ellen Darling A shaft of light spills over water and shimmers – then another – holy places, reminders of Eternal One welcome me to Inismore. Soon the rhythm of waves lulls me in arms warm and wide. What great or small miracle will I meet today? Seabirds join alongside us, excitedly they flap and glide, keeping up with us, chuckling to themselves. Then something half out

We are delighted to share that our Soul’s Slow Ripening pilgrimage in Ireland next May and our Hildegard of Bingen pilgrimage in Germany next September are both FULL! If you want to be added to the waiting list for either just get in touch with us. If you still want to join us in Ireland next spring, there are just a few spaces left for our Monk in the World pilgrimage May 1-9, 2018 (also space in October) or perhaps you want to be creatively inspired by Writing on the Wild Edges August 26-September 1, 2018. We won’t be adding any further dates to these offerings and would love to welcome you

This past April we led one of our Writing on the Wild Edges retreats on the beautiful island of Inismor off the coast of Galway. We will be sharing some of the writing which participants gave us permission to share here in the next few weeks. Up next are poems by Lucy Wilson. (If you’d like to join us, we have our dates open for 2018 – August 26-September 1) ST. CIARAN’S WELL AND CHURCH At St. Ciaran’s holy well my prostrated body stretched till finger tips touched holy water. I brushed my forehead a baptism of resurrection. The well green-surrounded: moss, ferns, wild

This past March/April we led one of our Soul’s Slow Ripening Pilgrimages based out of Galway City. We have been sharing some of the poems from the writing retreat which participants gave us permission to share over the last several weeks. But poems emerge on the pilgrimage as well. Here are a series of short poems by Maureen Perry.   *I cannot sit still now Guide my feet on this journey Lord Let my mind, heart rest.   *The smell of the sea The company of a dear friend And friends I don’t know…Yet.   *Breathe on me breath of God Let my inhalation and exhalation

This past April we led one of our Writing on the Wild Edges retreats on the beautiful island of Inismor off the coast of Galway. We will be sharing some of the writing which participants gave us permission to share here in the next few weeks. Up next are poems by Christine Davis. (If you’d like to join us, we have our dates open for 2018 – August 26-September 1) Focail do a Chara (Words for a Friend) Liturgy of Stillness and Rock Liturgy of stillness and rock, Tell me your stories. I am from a people who dream dreams of places they

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 more than 11,000 subscribers. Please follow these instructions carefully: Please click this link to read a selection of the posts and get a feel for