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.
The Journey Is An Illusion
For a long time, I talked about my spiritual life as a journey. I could describe where I started, what I believed then, and how different things looked later on. In many ways, that language made sense. It gave shape to the changes I was noticing. Still, the more I sit with it, the more I wonder whether the idea of a “spiritual journey” might be one of the most convincing—and persistent—misunderstandings in spirituality.
Habitual Mental Collections
You might notice how quickly opinions appear. You’re scrolling, listening, or half-paying attention to a conversation, and suddenly there it is. I agree, I don’t, that’s ridiculous, that’s obvious. The mind doesn’t hesitate. It responds almost automatically, as if it’s been waiting for the chance.
That Isn’t A God
To be worthy of the name “god,” a being would need to live by its own moral principles more faithfully than its followers do. A deity that operates by a “do as I say, not as I do” standard is not divine. It is manipulative, and unworthy of devotion. If a god instructs...
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.
