Featured Poet: Br. Paul Quenon
Last spring we launched a series with poets whose work we love and want to feature and will continue it moving forward. Our next poet is Paul Quenon whose work is inspired by his monastic community, the natural environment, and most recently, personal experiences in meditation.Read his poetry and discover more about the connections he […]
Featured Poet: Mark Burrows
Last spring we launched a series with poets whose work we love and want to feature and will continue it moving forward. Our next poet is Mark Burrows, whose work is deeply inspired by the idea of home and stability of place. You can hear Mark reading his poem “I Still Marvel” below and read more […]
Dreaming of Stones review from the Chicago Tribune
Dreaming of Stones: Poetry collection offers spiritual solace by Barbara Mahany, Chicago Tribune To enter the pages of Christine Valters Paintner’s “Dreaming of Stones” feels akin to wandering the undulations of Celtic wilds, the barren landscape that cloisters timeless secrets and truths. It’s not hard to imagine ancient ruins off in the mist-drenched distance. Nor […]
Earth as the Original Monastery ~ A Love Note from your Online Abbess
Dearest monks, artists, and pilgrims, This spring I have completed the manuscript for my next book due out in spring 2020 tentatively titled Earth as the Original Monastery. I have been working with this image for several years now and have taught retreats both live and online to explore a deepened intimacy with the earth. […]
Wisdom Council: Guest Post from Michael Moore
I am delighted to share another beautiful submission from one our newest Wisdom Council members. Read on for Michael Moore’s “Reflections on the Contemplative Life.” What is Contemplative Life? When I first became aware of the term, I associated it with Monks and Nuns in Monasteries and Convents who lived in relative isolation from the outside world. To […]
A Celebration of Poetry ~ A Love Note from Your Online Abbess
Dearest monks, artists, and pilgrims, I hope you have enjoyed the series of poetry videos we have produced in collaboration with Morgan Creative. One of our great joys here at the Abbey is bringing artists together whether through these videos, the albums we are creating, or the icon series we commissioned. When time and resources […]
How to Be a Pilgrim (new poetry video) ~ A Love Note from Your Online Abbess
How to Be a Pilgrim Air travel is like ancient pilgrims walking on their knees, flight delays and narrow seats offer their own kind of penance. You jettison excess baggage, leaving behind the heavy makeup case, knowing the rain will wash you free of artifice. Books you wanted to carry left too, no more outside […]