Embodying Spiritual Life

Last updated on: February 4, 2017 at 4:40 am By Greg Richardson

Some people are convinced spiritual life is about what we think. They believe it is more deeply spiritual to hold certain opinions and ideas. For them, spiritual life is essentially analytical and intellectual. They see growing spiritually as learning and finding answers to questions. It is important for them to be able to explain spiritual life reasonably and rationally. Other people are certain spiritual life is about behavior. They put their trust into specific actions and practices to strengthen spiritual life.... Read more

Monastic Life in the World

Last updated on: February 1, 2017 at 4:40 am By Greg Richardson

People tend to be curious when they meet me for the first time. Some people are surprised to learn I live in Los Angeles and am married. Some people are confused by my spiritual journey and my background. I tend not to meet their expectations about who a monk will be. Some people are surprised that I actually know monks and spend time at a hermitage. They think of monks as people who lived a long time ago. People... Read more

Practicing Hospitality

Last updated on: January 28, 2017 at 4:40 am By Greg Richardson

Hospitality has been woven into our story, my story, almost since the beginning. I am the most recent in a long line of wanderers, people looking for a new home. Our stories tell us we are refugees, strangers, and immigrants. No matter which countries and spiritual traditions we claim, they are stronger because of people from somewhere else. Our heritage is flavored with spices from around the world. Hospitality is more, and more significant, than being friendly. Hospitality is how we share ourselves with... Read more

Monastic Reflection

Last updated on: January 25, 2017 at 4:40 am By Greg Richardson

What is so important about reflecting? What good does it really do us to be reflective? Isn’t reflection boring? We are accustomed to being instantly analytical. Given a problem, we figure out an answer. We may be comfortable being emotional. Situations or relationships bring our strong feelings to the surface immediately. Why do we need to reflect? Reflection allows us to go longer and deeper. Reflecting is about the themes and values behind or underneath what we do and who we are. Spending time... Read more

Practicing Comfort and Affliction

Last updated on: January 21, 2017 at 4:40 am By Greg Richardson

Some people are convinced spiritual life is supposed to be reassuring. They believe spiritual life sustains them in times of trouble or doubt. When they face challenges, they rely on spiritual life to see them through. I understand spiritual life as more than helping us feel better in difficult times. One explanation is that spiritual life comforts the afflicted and afflicts the comfortable. Spiritual life does strengthen us to overcome obstacles. It also transforms us, which can be painful at times. Comforting the... Read more

Moving Forward by Standing Still

Last updated on: January 18, 2017 at 4:40 am By Greg Richardson

We drive ourselves to move forward. Our economy, our culture are based in growing, making progress, moving forward. We believe, especially now at the beginning of a year, in setting goals and making things happen. We push ourselves, working hard to transform what we want into reality. We are convinced our efforts earn us progress toward our desires. It can be easy for us to miss, or dismiss, the essential significance of standing still. In fact, it may not be all... Read more

Saving Time

Last updated on: January 14, 2017 at 4:40 am By Greg Richardson

We value time. Some of us believe time is money. We do not want anyone to waste our time. It is almost as if we could hoard spare moments or days in boxes to use them later. Some of us are anxious about time management. We want to spend time as effectively as we can. They are convinced each second counts. We need to squeeze all the value from each minute. I know people who are counting the weeks until they retire.... Read more

Monastic Mornings

Last updated on: January 12, 2017 at 4:40 am By Greg Richardson

Morning is when we awaken. We open our eyes, remember who we are, and rise to greet the day. There are days when it takes us a little longer to wake up, and days when we remain asleep. If we choose to stay in bed with the blankets over our heads we risk missing the gifts of that day. There is light growing in the east. People and lessons are held in trust for us each day. We may not receive... Read more

Taking Our Next First Step

Last updated on: January 7, 2017 at 4:40 am By Greg Richardson

Every step is a new beginning. Starting each new year, each new day, even getting out of bed each morning, we take a first step. We think things through, assess the risks, make a decision, and prepare to act. Sometimes we need to overcome fear or reluctance, or reassure ourselves we have chosen well. There are times when we need to learn more, gain strength, convince ourselves we are prepared. Each time, we arrive at the point when we are ready to take... Read more

Monastic Innovation

Last updated on: January 4, 2017 at 4:40 am By Greg Richardson

Many of us assume monks are people stuck in the past, resistant to new ideas. We see monks as people committed to upholding old ideas in traditional ways. We believe monasteries exist to continue doing things “the ways we have always done them.” The monks I know do not think or behave in the ways I had assumed they would. Yes, they are committed to values and principles that have lasted hundreds of years. Their commitment, though, frees them to... Read more