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.
No Way To Know
This article explores the inherent limitations of describing spirituality and reality, emphasizing that all human attempts to articulate these concepts are fragmented and incomplete. I compare this limitation to a dog trying to comprehend its owner’s daily activities—an endeavor constrained by the dog’s cognitive capacity. Similarly, human understanding is shaped by personal experience, language, and cultural background, making any description of reality inherently subjective. Rather than seeking complete understanding, the article advocates for embracing a state of “unknowing,” recognizing that reality transcends human comprehension.
Distraction
Illusions of the world consistently capture more of our attention than the Truth itself. This is an inherent aspect of human nature. Truth is eternal, still, and unchanging, whereas illusion is characterized by movement, drama, and constant change. We are naturally...
Random Renaissance Person
This article explores the fleeting nature of human existence by imagining an ordinary person from the Renaissance—someone who lived, worked, loved, and struggled, yet left no lasting trace. Just as their life has faded into obscurity, so too will our own personal histories eventually be forgotten. The article challenges the reader to consider whether our attachments to identity, possessions, and accomplishments are as meaningful as we believe. Ultimately, it questions whether something deeper and more permanent exists beyond the transient nature of life.
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.
