Welcome to the Barnwood Monk!
I’m Rick Baldwin— writer, artist, and spiritual practitioner. The Barnwood Monk is where I share my journey and insights. Reflections on presence, spirituality, art, and everyday life, written with equal parts reverence, curiosity and a willingness to shake things up a bit to see what happens.
This isn’t about dogma. It’s about asking honest questions, finding beauty in unlikely places, and learning how to live awake in a mostly unconscious world.
The Latest From The Blog
Thoughts, Meditations, Questions and Insights from the Barnwood Monk.
Many posts have summaries and questions for discussion and inquiry.
Spiritual Awakening Reconsidered
There’s really no such thing as “spiritual awakening.” Spirit doesn’t go to sleep—so it can’t wake up. It’s always here, always present, always aware. Infinite. Unchanging.
Aha!
Enlightenment is only one thing. Salvation is only one thing. Nirvana is only one thing. And that one thing, paradoxically both the simplest and most complex concept in all of spirituality, is this: the realization that you do not exist.
Deconstructing Me
Can you locate, diminish, and ultimately eliminate the persistent thought of “me”? This is no simple task. The very mechanism that perpetuates the notion of a separate self— the mind—reacts defensively to any perceived threat of annihilation. It immediately shifts into self-preservation mode, employing every conceivable tactic to protect the illusion and prevent its unraveling.
Work With Me
If you’re seeking personal guidance, I offer one-on-one sessions. Whether you’re deconstructing old beliefs, navigating a faith shift, or simply wanting to live more present. My role is to help you find clarity and direction when the path feels uncertain or you feel like you may have wandered off track.
Spiritual journeys can sometimes feel lonely. A practitioner doesn’t replace your inner teacher but walks alongside you—as a trusted companion offering support, perspective, and guidance for the road ahead.
