Welcome!
Welcome to Abbey of the Arts! A virtual monastery and global community The Abbey is a virtual global online monastery offering online programs & retreats, reflections, and resources which integrate contemplative practice and creative expression. We support you in becoming a monk in the world and an artist in everyday life. We believe in nourishing an earth-cherishing consciousness. Continue 3 […]
Living Out the New Creation
I have a deep affinity for crows and ravens as they seem to connect two important parts of my life together. Ravens and crows are a part of the same Corvidae or Crow family with ravens being larger and perferring wilder places. Saint Benedict (whose Feast Day is today) is often depicted with a raven by his […]
An Expressive Arts Journey with Your Ancestors ~ A Love Note from Your Online Abbess
Dearest dancing monks, artists, and pilgrims, This Friday, October 30th, we are hosting a mini-retreat for the Celtic feast of Samhain, and the Christian celebration of All Saint’s Day on November 1st and All Soul’s Day on November 2nd which begin a whole month in honor of those who have died. Wisdom Council members Betsey Beckman, Kayce […]
New Poetry Book Launch + Prayer Cycle ~ A Love Note from Your Online Abbess
St. Hildegard Has a VisionFirst came the whirl of colorand the cosmic song intensified,a symphony of music and imagerevealing the heart of the holy.You were often ill between visions,drinking tea as medicine.Your visions showed you the worldis so much more expansivethan what we see with dulled eyes.You saw the universe as an egg,full of potential, […]
Living with an Open Heart + Prayer Cycle Podcast ~ A Love Note from Your Online Abbess
I KneelI kneel before my mothergently clip each nail,her fingers gnarled like ancient oaks, toes red and splayed,ankle joints fused. I take a sock and scrunch it down,into a small halo and place the opening over her toesthen slide it up over her arch, around her heel, up her calf,a slow pilgrimage.My own hands struggle from the same disease, but for this […]
Feast of St. Francis
St. Francis at the Corner PubApproaching the door, you can alreadyhear his generous laughter.He stands on the bar upside down for a momentto get a new perspective on things,a flash of polka-dotted boxersas his brown robe cascades over his head,sandaled toes wiggling in the air in time with a fiddle playing in the corner.Rain falls heavily […]
The Handless Maiden ~ A Love Note from Your Online Abbess
Dearest dancing monks, artists, and pilgrims, On Monday, September 28th we begin a 7-week journey with the fairy tale “The Handless Maiden.” You may or may not be familiar with it. There are over a hundred versions of this story which have appeared throughout Europe and other parts of the world, so it is an important story, one […]