Ministry of Animals

Rev. Marjorie Ann Stanko, https://www.facebook.com/Rev.MargieAnn,  asked me to be part of a writer’s blog tour.  Please check out her post.  I was supposed to invited/to have three other blog posters to link too as part of this…..but as I am far more contemplative than perhaps is required for networking, I can not.  I asked the two bloggers I know and felt I could ask, and they both declined – and I totally understand – neither thinks of what they do as writing.   Both thought that I should, however, answer the following questions that were posed. (I think they were curious themselves)

First, My name is Rev. Elizabeth Teal.  I can also be found at ReverendLizzie.wordpress.com

1. What am I working on?

Breathing and staying grounded.  Seeing the divine in every encounter and every encounter as divine.

I am also working on selling my pictures – I have been told burning them is no longer an ethical option – so I am finding ways get them to those that want them.  Is that you? Perhaps as small booklets.  Perhaps the originals on Esty or ebay…

2. How does my work differ from others of its genre?

I am not entirely sure which genre that would be! – As Ink Paintings?  My text is usually not on my pictures – as I have not mastered any arts, much less the demanding one of calligraphy.  As Poetry?  Much of it stands with the visual of the picture.   As Illustration?   Much of it is too obtuse.  As Spiritual Inspiration?  Breathe…..I haven’t a clue.  As Sacred Activism?  All I have is hope.

3. Why do I write what I do? The pictures and text are part of my daily practice.  I believe in daily practices of a wide variety of actions.  These are part of my personal daily spiritual practice.  So is brushing my teeth.

4.  How does your writing process work?

I am only speaking here of my process of the MoA blog.  My practice began before the blog began.  Each day I meditate. One of my meditations is on my encounters with all the non-human animal encounters and relationships in that day.  I then sit with the image or remembrance or story of that experience.  After sitting with the experience, I listen to what words come from it, about it, are connected in that moment, are connected to this new moment – and then I let them flow out of me.  Sometimes it is only one.  Sometimes it is more.  It is useful to me, sometimes it is useful to others as well.

If you would like to do this writer’s tour and answer these questions – they ask that you write a small bio and provide a link to your blog and that you do the same next week – thanking me and adding three more blogs

As I do not know you yet, please leave your blog, as long as it is an ethical offering and not a solicitation, in the comments, with a sentence or two about you…. And then, I supposed we can keep this tour on the road – or not – all paths are personal, yet we all travel together.