Writing Songs for Monks and Mystics (guest post by David Ash)
For the last several months, we have been embarking on an exciting creative project and collaboration. It started with choosing 12 dancing monks to be a part of the original Dancing Monk Icon series painted by Marcy Hall. These icons were meant to depict some beloved monks and mystics in a joyful and colorful way, reminding us […]
Monk in the World guest post: Sam Troxal
I am delighted to share another beautiful submission for the Monk in the World guest post series from the community. Read on for Sam Troxal’s wisdom on marrying Haiku with other contemplative practices: I searched for a lake or some other sacred place my own front porch I live as a monk in the world […]
Monk in the World guest post: Mary Elyn Bahlert
This week in our Monk in the World guest post series we have a lovely reflection from fellow monk Mary Elyn Bahlert. Read on for her wisdom: ‘As if the sorrows of this world could overwhelm me now that I realize what we are. I wish everyone could realize this. But there is no way of telling people they […]
Monk in the World guest post: Shirley Cunningham
This week in our Monk in the World guest post series we have a beautiful reflection from fellow monk Shirley Cunningham on following the creative spirit. Read on for her wisdom: My calling in this world these days is to lean into the Creative Spirit and invite others to do the same. I knew the call long ago but wasn’t […]
New Dancing Monk Icons (a love note from your online Abbess)
Dearest monks and artists, I am just back in Ireland now after almost three weeks traveling in the U.S. for teaching and visiting family. It was a magical time away. I led two retreats – the Sacred Rhythms Writing and Movement Retreat in Cape May, NJ where 18 amazing dancing monks joined to dive deep into […]
The Soul’s Migration: Where Will You Fly? (latest Patheos column)
Fin and feather, flesh, blood and bone: the earth calls its creatures to leave the familiar, turn again into the unknown; to move steadily and continuously and at great risk toward an invisible goal, expending great energy with the possibility of failure… —Marianne Worcester I write these words from the shores of Cape May, NJ […]
Earth Monastery Project – Final reports from the first round!
Abbey of the Arts is delighted to share the results of our first round of grantmaking through the Earth Monastery Project. Last fall we awarded three projects funds to help them serve the community by helping to cultivate an earth-cherishing consciousness. Rainier Beach Community Garden | Terri Stewart We, the youth and chaplains of the […]