Dear ones,
This is a quick update to let you all know about a piece of writing I’ve just finished.
Next week I leave for Northern Ireland to lead a retreat on craft and contemplation. Friends, guests at the Monastery, and folks who have enjoyed my fiber arts podcast have been encouraging for me a while now to write down my thoughts on craft as contemplative practice. I decided to use the upcoming retreat in Ireland as an excuse to do just that.
This piece is a beginning. I imagine I’ll add to it, edit it, and possibly expand it as my thinking changes. Even if you are not a maker of things, you may appreciate the piece for what it has to say about contemplation, ecology, beauty, and creativity. Fair warning: it is rather long compared to my blog posts.
You can access the piece here: A Maker’s Pilgrimage
If you have thoughts, comments, or suggestions, please do send them my way.
I always love hearing from you.
Wishing you a beautiful fall,
Aidan
A Little Fire 
Dear Aidan,
It is so good to see your post again. Somehow, I forgot about this blog but enjoyed this article so much . It sounds like a wonderful pilgrimage to one of my favorite places in the world.
Susan G and I just finished our second year of teaching Servant Leadership together. The Johnson Service Corps continues! Take care, travel safely and know you have love and prayers from NC.
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Thank you, Nancy. Yes, I’m looking forward to the trip. I do miss NC and all the wonderful folks there. As it turns out I’ll be headed to the Asheville area six times in the next year for training as a spiritual director. Maybe I can make it back to Chapel Hill during one of those trips.
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Aiden, Thanks as always for putting your deep thoughts out there for us to contemplate. Two responses. First, I have noticed for years that when my spiritual life is most alive, my photography is most creative! It is during these times that I feel a special closeness to God. Of course God is always there, and it is us that wanders, but the two seem to travel together. Second, I have been slowly trying to be creative in learning to cook. I have been over to the Culinary Institute for two of their Boot Camps several years ago and hope to get back in about two years when I finally retire from my medical practice. Your “pilgrimage” about creativity and spirituality is bringing new meaning to where my life journey is going as I approach my retirement in less than two years now.
Thank you
David
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Yes, absolutely, David! I think that creative energy is spiritual energy, and vice versa. Anytime you want to try out your new culinary skills, I’m happy to taste test. 🙂
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Thank you for this powerful essay.
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Thank you for reading!
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Nice blog thannks for posting
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Thanks for reading, Aimee.
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