Monk in the World Guest Post: Elaine Breckenridge
I am delighted to share another beautiful submission to the Monk in the World guest post series from the community. Read on for Elaine Breckenridge’s reflection on connection with the wisdom of her body, nature, and the healing presence within. In 2015, I took my first online community retreat with the Abbey, titled, The Wisdom of […]
Monk in the World Guest Post: Mary Francis Drake
I am delighted to share another beautiful submission to the Monk in the World guest post series from the community. Read on for Mary Francis Drake’s poetry on “beauty, grit, and grace.” I call my poetry ‘soul snapshots’ as they reflect a contemplation and insight of a particular moment in time. These everyday moments open to […]
Monk in the World Guest Post: Richard Bruxvoort Colligan
I am delighted to share another beautiful submission to our Monk in the World guest post series from the community. Read on for Wisdom Council member Richard Bruxvoort Colligan’s reflection A Monk in the (Complicated) World. Being a monk in the world means a complicated life. Yeah, I said it. Complicated. We may imagine a […]
Monk in the World Guest Post: Betty Vandervest
I am delighted to share another beautiful submission to the Monk in the World guest post series from the community. Read on for Betty Vandervest ‘s reflection Flowing with the Holy Spirit. I believe the act of creating artwork is tapping into the Divine. The Holy Spirit is with me as I move into the […]
Monk in the World Guest Post: Maureen Callahan Smith

I am delighted to share another beautiful submission to the Monk in the World guest post series from the community. Read on for Maureen Callahan Smith’s reflection and poem on grief and grace. Many of us are called to be caretakers of loved ones and know well the strength and internal resources it can involve. I […]
Monk in the World Guest Post: Judith Jessop
I am delighted to share another beautiful submission to the Monk in the World guest post series from the community. Read on for Judith Jessop’s reflection on solitude and community. A sabbatical is a precious gift. In my tradition it arrives like clockwork every 7 years for those in ordained ministry. The gift needs handling […]
Monk in the World Guest Post: Christine Lee Smith
I am delighted to share another beautiful submission to the Monk in the World guest post series from the community. Read on for Christine Lee Smith’s reflection “Contemplative Presence in Creative Practice.” One afternoon while serving as a TA in an introductory photography course during my MFA program, a student asked me about the thesis […]