” 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)
In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity.
-Albert Einstein
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
In a dark time, the eye begins to see.
-Theodore Roethke
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)
The universe will reward you for taking risks on its behalf.
- Shakti Gawain
What lies behind us, and what lies before us are tiny matters, compared to what lies within us.
- Ralph Waldo Emerson
You too are a Medicine Wheel, and the magic of your Perceiving will be unfolded.
- Hyemeyohsts Storm
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)
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
Think of yourself as an incandescent power, illuminated and perhaps forever talked to by God and his messengers.
- Brenda Ueland
“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.
Future Plans
MEMBER BENEFITS BEING PLANNED FOR THE FUTURE are about the ideas and hopes The New Monk Project holds for a more sustainable future. These are projects being planned so far:
Triads – In today’s world profound friendship is all too rare. The Triad network will offer a method to deepen connections with others on the eco-spiritual journey. You will find further information about this idea by selecting the “New Monk Lifestyle” category, then select the “Triad” topic.
Hospice Ashram – This is seen as a future adjunct to our retirement community project (select “Projects” category, and then select the “Caravan Village” page). The Hospice Ashram idea offers a practical way to enhance the experiences surrounding the end of life. We are planning a “Presentation Series” topic named Alternative Living Communities During the Second Half of Life which will expand on this future benefit.
Sponsorship – We support “grass roots level” of change. It is up to individuals and nascent organizations around the globe to be the change we wish for the world. We therefore wish to support our New Monk members who are planning an event that is of interest to them and the Project. In the future, members may submit requests for having us monetarily support their planned event. Working within the limitations of our financial and human resources, we wish to support educational events which further our Eco-Spiritual agenda.
Educational Scholarship Endowments – The New Monk Project is seeking to establish a North Carolina statewide scholarship endowment sufficient to provide a financial safety net for young adults who cannot otherwise afford to attend community colleges. This endowment is specifically intended to benefit students pursuing associate degrees relating to sustainable and eco-restorative design technology.
Manifestation of these future benefits depends upon The New Monk Project being given donations, grants, and new volunteer
staff to support these projects.