This summer I am on a blog book tour to share more about my newest book The Soul of a Pilgrim: Eight Practices for the Journey Within . This week I am being interviewed by Sibyl Dana Reynolds at Sacred Life Arts: SLA: “Beginning again is essential.” Returning to those things that feed the soul…art-making, meditation, etc. Can you suggest some ways to become unstuck to begin to reconnect to one’s source of inspiration and spiritual center? CVP: It may seem counter-intuitive, but for me one of the best ways to get unstuck is to stop trying so hard. We often feel “blocked” and then

For the next eight weeks I am on a blog book tour for The Soul of a Pilgrim: Eight Practices for the Journey Within, offering guest posts or interviews at a different stop each week. This first week I am interviewed at Carl McColman’s website. Here is a brief excerpt: Can you briefly share with the readers the story of the book? Was it directly a result of your own move/pilgrimage, or what other factors may have contributed to its gestation? Yes, it has really been the fruit of several years of embarking on what my husband and I call ancestral

I am honored to have my newest book The Soul of a Pilgrim: Eight Practices for the Journey Within reviewed by Claire Bangasser at A Seat at the Table: This book came at the right time in my life. I had finally accepted the need to leave a place very dear to me. As John Valters Paintner explains in Chapter One, “The Practice of Hearing the Call and Responding”: Pilgrimage … can mean the life journeys we take in response to unwelcomed circumstances… Any time life ousts us from our places of security, we are called upon to bring ourselves fully

I am so delighted to share these wise words about the Pentecost and the days that follow from the lovely Tara Owens, author of a wonderful new book Embracing the Body: Finding God in Our Flesh and Bone: Tongues of Fire: What Our Bodies Tell Us About Pentecost When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.  And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each

Abbey of the Arts is offering a special Summer Self-Study SALE (now through June 14th), register for any two self-study retreats and receive a third of equal or lesser value for free (Live it to Give It does not count for the free gift, but you can count toward purchase of the first two). You have ongoing access to the materials and can participate at any time, so purchase two with the third free now and move through them at your own pace. With 15 programs to choose from! If you have purchased a self-study program in the last month and

It takes a lot of work to keep an online monastery running smoothly. We have been in need of admin support for a while now and finally are able to welcome in the help we need. We are delighted to introduce Liz Rasmussen and Melinda Thomas Hansen. Liz will be helping reply to some of the emails which come through and Melinda will be working behind the scenes to get blog posts up and the email newsletter sent out. Melinda Thomas Hansen practices living as a monk in the world through meditation, writing, art, yoga, and engaging in relationship. A long time yoga teacher

It is truly amazing and inspiring to read through the words that have chosen you, our dear dancing monks, to guide and challenge for the year ahead. You can read them in the comments here. (And if you still need support for finding a word, the free 12-day mini-retreat is still available at this link). I am delighted to announce the winners of our random drawing for a whole host of wonderful prizes. To claim your prize, please email us and we will get you set up. One space in the upcoming online Abbey retreat Illuminating the Way: Epiphany and New Year