“The thing about Alana [Levandoski] is that she’s gifted. She’s not just gifted as a musician, which she is, but she’s gifted as a lyricist…she teased these words, kind of like mantras, highly evocative mantras. She strung them together in a developmental expansion. So it was really a stroke of creative insight. It was really lovely how she brought it together.”
– James Finley (via interview with Ordinary Mystic)
After Alana Levandoski attended and graduated from the Living School for Action and Contemplation, Alana experienced a rebirth as an artist, finally opening to a way of integrating her spirituality, her craftsmanship and her lifestyle. Abiding by a monastic rule inspired by her time living with the Benedictines, Alana and her husband Ian have committed to a life of minimalism and sacred simplicity.
Alana released a new album in September 2016. The album is a series of chants and compositions with spoken word in collaboration with contemplative teacher and clinical psychologist James Finley (author of Merton’s Palace of Nowhere). It is called Sanctuary ~ Exploring the Healing Path with Alana Levandoski and James Finley. (adapted from alanalevandoski.com)
You can support Alana’s new project on Thomas Merton through Patreon!
In this episode, Alana shares about her sabbatical from the music business, becoming an artisan, her family’s rhythm of life, collaborating with James Finley and their next project together around the writings of Thomas Merton. You can learn more about Alana’s work at alanalevandoski.com.
Subscribe to Contemplify via iTunes, Stitcher, Podbean, Overcast or Google Play
EPISODE SHOW NOTES
Albums and Resources by Alana Levandoski
Resources Mentioned
- Solace of Fierce Landscapes by Belden Lane
- Nature and the Human Soul by Bill Plotkin
- Merton’s Palace of Nowhere by James Finley
- Harvest by Neil Young
- The Intimate Journal by Thomas Merton
- The Merton Legacy Trust
- Things Hidden: Scripture as Spirituality by Richard Rohr
- Centering Prayer for Children
People
- Gandalf (I know he’s not real, but had to stick him somewhere)
- Thomas Merton
- James Finley
- Iona Community
- Chuang Tzu
- Thomas Keating
- Cynthia Bourgeault
Drinks Pairings
Licorice Root Tea
Highlights
2m20s When you hear the word “contemplative”, how does that moniker relate to you or your work, if at all?
14m33s I remember reading within the last year or so, about your family’s rhythm of life, would you mind sharing where you live and what a day looks like when you follow that rhythm?
23m55s The album Sanctuary was done in partnership with James Finley, one of my teachers and wisest people I know, how did that project come to be?
37m50s What writing of Thomas Merton’s has really resonated with you as you research this next project?
40m What books, resources or practice would you encourage a budding contemplative to give a go?
45m25s We like to pair each conversation with a drink, what drink would choose to pair with this conversation?
Photo credit: Death To Stock Photo
You must be logged in to post a comment.