“It is this activity of working through disintegration that I consider to be at the core of the creative and therapeutic processes. I call this act “poesis” (following Heidegger’s use of the Greek word for poetry), and consider it to be at the center of human existence. “It is essential to human being to fall apart, to fragment, disintegrate, and to experience the despair that comes with lack of wholeness. To what can we turn, then, ion this moment of crisis? I believe it is at this critical moment that the possibility of creative living arises. If we can let

I am catching up on emails this morning and not sure what this says about me, but one of the notes that excited me most was from Rich at Pilgrim Path who sent me this link about a new book on relics called Rag and Bone: A Journey Among the World’s Holy Dead.  Some of you may remember that I had some recent encounters with relics during Lent (Meeting the Saints in Walgreens and Altar for an Unknown God) and I am delighted to see well-reviewed writing exploring this practice across religious traditions.  The author, Peter Manseau, writes: “These bones — fragile,

For those of you in the Seattle area, you are warmly invited to join me on one of the two retreat programs I am leading in the next month. Saturday, April 25, 2009: A Mini-Retreat for Young Adults (age 21-35) Exploring a Rhythm of Contemplation & Creativity We will explore the ancient practice of lectio divina and creative expression.  We gather from 9:30-1:00 for a taste of retreat in the midst of everyday life. (sponsored by the Ignatian Spirituality Center — click link for more information and to RSVP) ************************* May 8-10, 2009 Transitions Weekend Retreat: Engaging the Seasons of Change

Two months from today (May 17-22, 2009) a dozen or so participants will gather at the beautiful Hood Canal (see photo above) in the height of spring here in the Northwest for five days of creative awakening.  I have been co-teaching this program with the delightful Betsey Beckman for four years now (and a previous variation for those in ministry for five years prior) and it is one of my favorite things to teach. In the program we offer tools and experiences of entering into the arts — visual art, poetry, movement, storytelling, and song — to claim them for

Thank you for the notes I have been receiving inquiring about the Abbess after her surgery last week.  She is recovering quite well, after a few days of extra sleepiness and soreness she returned to her usual spunky self.  Her stitches will be in for another week.  The medical report indicates that this tumor, like the one removed in late November, was indeed cancer.  But also like the previous one it is classified as low-grade with clean margins (meaning it looks like it was all removed).  My concern is, of course, that another mammary tumor developed so soon after the

I started coming down with a cough/cold thing that is going around on Wednesday and despite my best efforts and a full arsenal of resistance — Wellness Formula, Immunity Tea, raw garlic, and rest — I am fully sick today.  Sigh.  The worst part is that Betsey Beckman and I had a wonderful retreat day planned for tomorrow on Mary Magdalene.  Since hacking and sneezing my way through the day doesn’t sound very pleasant for the participants or me, we are postponing it until Saturday, February 21st and I will be spending the weekend in bed practicing the necesary humility of

Dearest friends, thank you so much for the prayers for Petunia’s surgery today.  The surgery went well, the doctor thinks she was able to remove all of the growth.  Tune has a four-inch scar up her belly but seems to be doing okay. Now we wait.  The biopsy results could come in as early as Wednesday or in a week’s time.  Sigh. In the meantime she’ll continue to be doted upon in the manner to which she has become accustomed.