Fr. Cyprian Consiglio Bio

Cyprian Consiglio, OSB Cam, is a Camaldolese Benedictine monk, musician, composer, author and teacher from the community of New Camaldoli Hermitage in Big Sur, California. Much of both his music and teaching revolve around the Universal Call to Contemplation through spirituality and the arts. He has six collections of original music recorded and published through OCP Publications, three others released through the Equilibrium label with his longtime collaborator, percussionist John Pennington, and several independent releases. Cyprian also is a member of the Collegeville Composers Group, the ensemble responsible for the Psallite: Songs for Liturgy and Life project for Liturgical Press.

He earned a master’s degree in theology from St. John Seminary in Camarillo, California, and has spent a considerable amount of time studying both Eastern and Western spirituality, particularly under the influence of Bede Griffiths. Cyprian published a book, “Prayer in the Cave of the Heart,” also for Liturgical Press, based on wisdom culled from his experience and studies, and is currently working on a second volume, “Spirit, Soul and Body: Toward an Integral Christian Spirituality.” He has been to India numerous times as well as other countries in Europe, Asia, and the Mideast, performing as well as studying and teaching.

Besides concerts and recording, Cyprian regularly leads retreats and conferences on prayer and meditation. He has done extensive work in inter-faith dialogue and serves on the board of the Bede Griffiths Trust and the U.S .branch of MIDMonastic Inter-religious Dialogue, and was the founder of Sangha Shantivanam in Santa Cruz. He currently lives back with the community in Big Sur.

In July 2013, Cyprian was elected as the new prior of the New Camaldoli Hermitage after the previous prior, Robert Hale, OSB Cam, informed the community that he was stepping down. Cyprian was installed as prior on July 20, 2013.