So be patient with the events in life that find you feeling disappointed, and remember each line we script in the Great Play we call life, is a line that is never wasted, and a line that can ultimately lead to something more beautiful than we can ever possibly imagine in the present. This is true for each one of us.
-Tim Watson
“I salute the light within your eyes where the whole universe dwells. For when you are at the center within you and I am at that place within me, we shall be One.”
Spoken by Chief Crazy Horse, September, 1877.
The care of the Earth is our most ancient and most worthy, and after all our most pleasing responsibility. To cherish what remains of it and to foster its renewal is our only hope. —Wendell Berry
The universe will reward you for taking risks on its behalf.
- Shakti Gawain
In a dark time, the eye begins to see.
-Theodore Roethke
What lies behind us, and what lies before us are tiny matters, compared to what lies within us.
- Ralph Waldo Emerson
Think of yourself as an incandescent power, illuminated and perhaps forever talked to by God and his messengers.
- Brenda Ueland
” A wee child toddling in a wonder world , , , I prefer to their dogma my excursions into the natural gardens where the voice of the Great Spirit is heard in the twittering of birds, the rippling of mighty waters, and the sweet breathing of flowers. If this is Paganism, then at present, at least, I am a Pagan.”
- Gertrude Simmons Bonnin (Redbird)
Every element of creation expresses the Creator. Within each mountain, each stone, and each heart lies the Great Spirit… When looking upon a sunset, the trees, or even your worst enemy, you are looking at the Creator. Know this and give praise and prayer.
- Gertrude Simmons Bonnin (Redbird)
In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity.
-Albert Einstein
The entire Creation still follows the Original Instructions of life. The Tree, the fruits, they never fail.
They never make a mistake to bring their fruits in their season.
The Animals never make a mistake.
They still live as they were created.
Among the Creation…Life, the Circle, a measurement with no beginning and no ending.
- Phillip Deere (Muskogee Creek 1977)
You too are a Medicine Wheel, and the magic of your Perceiving will be unfolded.
- Hyemeyohsts Storm
Staff
Sunder Wells
Sunder Wells, now in her eighties, has been a poet, painter, parent, teacher, and Air Force wife. Forty years ago she founded the New Monk Project with the spiritual blessings of Dom Bede Griffiths, who served as one of our Elders until his death in 1993. She sees the full flowering of the Project in the evolving Garden Homes and Hospice Ashram.
Sister Mariquita Platov
Sister Mariquita Platov, a Russian Orthodox hermit and founder of the Orthodox Peace Fellowship, and a NewMonk Elder, left a portion of her estate to the New Monk Project upon her death in 2001. Her generosity has enabled us to catalog and house the Library and move The Project far along the path of its mission.
Fred Baker
Fred Baker, an accomplished musician/bookkeeper/auto mechanic, is a veteran of several cooperativecommunity ventures. In the ‘70’s he co-managed the Natural Foods Warehouse in Durham,NC before becoming a founding member of Common Ground Community in Lexington, VA. He practices voluntary simplicity and believes in the saying “One God—Many Paths”. He serves a Treasurer of the New Monk Project.
Barney Brown
Barney has been serving the Project in an advisory role since 2007. His business acumen and spirituality bring a much needed dimension to The New Monk Project decision making process. Barney provides oversight in connection with our publication related endeavors, and has proven to be a great friend of the Project.
Tim Watson
Tim’s eco-restorative philosophy embraces the spiritual connection that universally exists between humans and the natural world. The writings of the Jesuit eco-geologist Thomas Berry, added inspiration to the evolution of Tim’s work as an architect, and helped inspire him to serve The New Monk Project. Similar writings, and the teachings of indigenous peoples, have helped Tim witness the sacredness of the Earth Herself.Tim lives and works in Hillsborough, NC where he often collaborates with his wife, Laura, a restorative landscape designer and integrative health counselor. He is presently serving as president of our organization.
Dr. Peter Charles
Dr. Charles is a Professor of Anatomy and Physiology at Durham Technical Community College and director of the Research and Technology Division of CyberBiota Advanced Lighting Products, a Durham-based company dedicated to reducing carbon emissions through the use of microelectronic technology. He is the Board’s newest member.
The New Monk Project Board Members
The New Monk Project Advisory Board (or Council) Members
New candidate Advisory Council (or Board) Members (pending official vote of approval)