Finding the Time We Need Time is the one resource, the one possession, of which we each all get the same amount. No matter who we are or where we live, every one of us receives 24 hours a day. We each get the same amount of time and we never know when it might run out. Time is precious to us. We work hard to measure even the smallest amounts of time. Some of us believe our time is money. We... Read more
Our Context of Spiritual Life Spiritual life is larger than we are. We find it intimidating, even overwhelming, that we cannot see all of spiritual life at once. It is more than what our senses, even our common sense, can grasp. Spiritual life is beyond our understanding and our control. We are often more attracted to what we are able to organize and categorize. It is easier for us to trust what our senses tell us, what we experience. Life has taught... Read more
Making Sense of Our Own Minds There are people who believe we become better leaders by following someone else. Some people think we need to spend a lot of time studying and reading to become leaders. People go to school for years to analyze and think through leadership and leaders. We may study specific examples of leadership from history. It is almost as if we become leaders by understanding their insights and avoiding their mistakes. Our own leadership might grow... Read more
It is easy for most of us to believe physical life is separated from spiritual life. Read more
The Limits of Spiritual Life Some of us believe spiritual life has strict limitations. Acting those ways, having these opinions, even some churches are outside the limits. For them, spiritual life is about staying inside the limits and bringing in people who are outside. When I was growing up I lived inside the limitations. The people around me thought spiritual life was about giving up trips outside the limits. The idea of the limitations of spiritual life made me curious about what was out... Read more
The Art and Craft of Monastic Life We like to think of our contemporary organizations as well-oiled machines. Corporations function better when we are doing our jobs as leaders well. Our effectiveness and efficiency are the results, the products, of our leadership and organization. Some people see our current ways of leading as growing from the Industrial Revolution. They understand our ways of working as an assembly line delivering goods and services. Each person in an organization plays their part and the... Read more
Looking Toward Greater Depths It feels like we have spent our time paddling around in the shallow waters for too long. It is as if, as the end of summer draws into view, we have spent all our time on the beach. The sun is warm and the breeze is pleasant, but the deep water calls to us. We were made for more than sitting on the sand. The greater depths of the water connect to the greater depths within us. Are... Read more
How Do We Change the World? I have wanted to change the world for longer than I can remember. Some people expected me to change the world, and at times I have expected it from myself. People talk about transforming the world in every commencement address. Other people sing about wanting to change the world. There appears to be something deep within most of us wanting to make a difference. Our challenge can be summed up in one question: How do we... Read more
Appreciating Real Ambiguity Ambiguity can make us uncomfortable. We appreciate people who are clear and straight forward, and do not trust too much complexity. It is more comfortable for us when we think we know where we stand. We appreciate it when expectations and standards are clear and easy to understand. Do not expect me to do what you expect me to do if you cannot explain it to me. Ambiguity seems to be full of opportunities for misunderstanding and confusion.... Read more
Recognizing the Presence of the Sacred People think some places, some buildings are more sacred than others. we may believe certain days or times of year are more sacred than the rest. There are rarely signs or labels to let us know when we are in a sacred moment. One minute often feels the same as another. We need to recognize the presence of the Sacred for ourselves. How do we tell? What are the ways we recognize the presence of... Read more
Strategic Monk
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