Br. Mark 
Writings of Br. Mark Dohle, OCSO, a monk of Holy Spirit Monastery in Conyers Georgia. Br. Mark is formerly Prior and is currently guestmaster for the Monastery, His writings relate to those he works with in his ministry, particularly the elderly and dying.
Grumpy
Some mornings I do wake up grumpy. That is not normal for me, since I am what you could call a morning person. You know the type that can drive others crazy by my smile and chipper ‘good morning pilgrim’ kind of corny thing. However there are mornings when I just want to stay there… Read More ›
Like eating glass is the refusal to forgive
I was talking to a guest a few months ago and she asked me what I thought caused the most suffering for people. Not sure the term ‘what causes the most suffering’ can be answered since we are all different in how we respond to life experiences. I do know that what causes a great deal… Read More ›
The meeting of a wise gentle man
I had a doctor’s appointment yesterday. As I was sitting in the office reading, a man walked in, I guess he was a little younger than me, but in his 60’s. He seemed weary and brought in with him a cup of coffee. After a while we started talking to pass the time, for the… Read More ›
Some things are out of our control
There is a lot to life that is out of our control. Our aging for instances, time makes sure that we keep on moving on. One second, day, week, month, year and decade at a time; the ride does not stop until we do. It is like an apple that drops from the tree; once… Read More ›
Full moon and clouds above
I like to get up early. I have a routine that I do just about everyday. I go to the retreat-house kitchen and turn on the back porch light. I also shake the door before I open it because the light switch (chain) is on the outside. I shake the door to warn any critters… Read More ›
I love Georgia
I like the cold, not like in the North of the country, but around 40 degrees or so. I like to feel my bones chill, it is so easy to breathe, I feel good. It is even better when a cold rain comes pouring down, just rain, and no snow. For as much as I… Read More ›
An extended episode of family life
I am the 3rd of 11 children. There are 10 of us still living. The youngest being 49, the oldest 67, and for the most part we are all in decent health. Michael, who was the 10th of 11, died in 1958 three days after birth. He was three months premature and back in those… Read More ›
After Compline (Our beloved friends)
After Compline, the last prayer service (or Divine Office) of the day, I go and set up the books for Vigils, which is our first Office early in the morning. As I set up the books, I see the locals that come here just about every day. They come up for the asperges, which is… Read More ›
Experiences as a young monk that helped me stay in community
(The gift of community and the struggle) People who live in community and by that I am not talking about a religious community but about any gathering or grouping that seeks to live together over the long haul, no matter what the interior struggle or outer chaos is. The giftedness that flows from community includes… Read More ›
What is beneath the facade?
I like driving in some parts of Atlanta when driving someone for a doctor’s appointment. Going to Piedmont Hospital for instance, getting off on North Ave, brings me into a very nice part of Atlanta; one of the many neighborhoods that are older and have lots of trees and foliage all year round….very restful after… Read More ›