Sacred Life Arts

Cooking, as a sacred life art…

I've been revisiting my novel, Ink and Honey, while I facilitate an online book study. A variety of sacred life arts are woven into the story. I'm contemplating the various forms of sacred life arts that I enjoy. The characters of Ink and Honey realize that daily life with all its myriad facets, becomes sacred when engaged with prayerful awareness. I read the story and I’m reminded to savor each moment with reverence. This isn’t always an easy practice, but it’s one I’m cultivating and working towards.

A sacred life art, to my mind, is a creative endeavor, an ordinary task, or a spiritual practice that is engaged with prayer, intention and awareness.

A list of sacred life arts that I'm particularly fond of and currently practice include:

• Writing

• Cooking

• Folding laundry (yes, this becomes a sacred life art when prayers are added to the folding)

• Working with herbs and essential oils

• Slow Stitching (a most meditative form of prayer)

• Weaving

• Knitting

• Journaling

• Foraging in the woods for this and that

• Beach combing

• The Rosary

• All forms of prayer

• Mandala making

• Icon painting

• Labyrinth walking

My list of sacred life arts continues to grow, as I contemplate ways to incorporate prayer into everyday moments such as: washing dishes, chopping vegetables, and tending the herb garden. I also experience feelings of sacred connection during the hours when I pick up my pen, a needle and thread, or a paintbrush.

It’s been said,

God is in the details….

The sacred life arts offer a portal, opening to the possibility of tangible and intangible connections with the Holy One. During this Lenten season, I’m sensing an invitation to seek God in the details and to approach daily living as a sacred life art. Where do you discover the potential for encountering sacred moments during your day?