Dearest J,

I’m still debating if I’m going to apply for the program full-time for the Center of Spiritual Imagination, but in the meantime I was very curious … what’s the difference between a monk, a sister, and a nun?

Well, honestly this video was GREAT. It made me realize, that sisters are fun too.

But I am getting out of the space where I feel like, I really am a “monk” you know?

New Monasticism is interesting, because it’s way more about being IN the world, similar to these sisters in the video below. I like that idea, of being in the world even if you are a sister, a nun, a monk or whatever. But I guess you’d need to be a siter to actually get out and do stuff.

Separately, I’ve been more and more interested in astrology, and I learned that I have a lot going on in my 12th house, which represents places like monasteries, and private art studios, and places of immense privacy.

So got me thinking about the artist in the sense of monk-like life.

There’s this other video (it’s an old Selby film for Zara of all things) but it shows Lucy Chadwick, who I suppose is a gallery owner, and she goes off to upstate NY think.

This woman inspired me for quite a long time, especially her hubby Fabio, I mean … Duffy. LOL!

Anyways, what’s cool is the idea of going off somewhere and just thinking. The idea of a treehouse, or a coffee shop also gives off this vibe. The idea that you need to go off somewhere to think and get work done.

When I was a kid, I wanted to use the upstairs of my Dad’s shed, but after like 3 days (and me really decorating it for privacy and making it my own) I was devastated to see all my shit filled with wood there. I was really a very mature kid, and I needed space to play.

My only other place of solace was the art studio at my school — it was like a 5-10 minute walk from the main school building, and it’s where I felt I could finally “relax”, if you will. Except for photography class, bc that guy was a fucking asshole. Whatever, anyways.

Also soccer, because I could get out on the field and play and get away from the craziness of the school kids and the world.

But anyways — still. This idea of going off somewhere to just BE. Be with God, maybe. Or yourself. Or your thoughts. Or just center yourself in a way where you can think. I think all that is very good.

So all these things are things I’m thinking about.

Lastly, I’ll add this idea — which is a small cozy home with a separate workshop, which also feels very “sanctuary like”. I like that. And in a weird way, I think it makes for the modern creative monk, in a way.

Thanks for listening!

<3 Fay