The Inspiratorium » monasticism

Book Review: Confessions of a Pagan Nun

David Morton — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 05:49:36 +0000

The cover of Confessions of a Pagan Nun by Kate Horsley is arresting for someone like me — a romantic who is entranced by the mystery and ideals of early monastic life. It shows a clochan, a beehive-shaped rock hut set beside a small stream and barren, rocky hills in the distance. Built of dry [...] Related posts:

Book Review:
The Saint and the Fasting Girl

Inspiring Places: Historyfish.net

David Morton — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 16:00:22 +0000

“Literature is a toil and a snare, a curse that bites deep.” Or so said D.H. Lawrence. Which gives me some comfort, because I seem to be doing all I can to avoid my writing, this morning. I’ve spent the last couple of hours brewing a Shitake Beef Stew that will be consumed tonight. I’ve [...] Related posts:

Monks’ Rule, OK!

David Morton — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 16:45:15 +0000

When St. Benedict founded the Benedictine monastic order, I believe he was attempting to establish religious utopian community. He may not have agreed with this idea, but he certainly established high standards of behaviour and conduct for his monks in order to achieve a community devoted to the pure pursuit of religious practice and contemplation. Benedict’s [...] Related posts:

The Problem of Invention

David Morton — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 16:45:24 +0000

I had originally envisioned my novel taking place within the narrow confines of the monastery. The great advantage of staying inside is that life there is relatively simple. Yes, there are conflicts and sometimes even high drama, but compared to life outside the monastery, things inside are easy. Everything was going according to plan, but [...] Related posts:

Why monks? Why medieval?

David Morton — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 21:48:08 +0000

Well, the monks were the ones that contacted me in the first place. Literally, I began dreaming about them. I would find them in different places, but invariably, they would speak something to me and I could not remember what they said upon waking. So I chose to believe they were trying to tell me [...] Related posts: