The Mystery Never Leaves You Alone

“It’s strange to be here. The Mystery never leaves you alone.” – John O’Donohue ‘It’s strange to be here. The Mystery never leaves you alone.’ Of all of the opening lines of the books I’ve read, that is the granddaddy of them all. That’s the first eleven words of Anam Cara from the late great philosopher-poet John O’Donohue. I love the opening lines of a book. See, the first lines of a book are a prophecy. It’s the threshold that sets the tone for the pilgrimage of pages in waiting. If I could distill this episode, those words –  ‘It’s strange to be …

Continue Reading

Anything Goes | Dan Reeder

“One of the foremost outsider artists in modern folk.” – The New Yorker The first time I ever heard the music of Dan Reeder was when someone sent me a link to the video of ‘The Work Song’ (NSFW). Once I heard it, I had to find out who this guy was. I found out that his story is even more interesting than that song. I’ve been trying to set up this conversation with Dan for years, it took the kindness of his record label Oh Boy Records to put us in touch. Dan Reeder has a mind I enjoy …

Continue Reading

Awake in Mindful Silence | Phileena Heuertz

“Phileena writes here with such simple clarity—and easy readability—because she knows she does not need to prove, convict, or defend anything. Mindful Silence contains not just her wisdom but the spiritual wisdom of the ages that is again standing the test of time and showing itself in the fruits of incarnational holiness. It is the great tradition of action and contemplation again showing itself.” -Richard Rohr, OFM Eleven years ago I was a work intern at the Center for Action and Contemplation. A season of life that would unknowingly tether me to the contemplative journey. As a work intern, I …

Continue Reading