New Movements of the Spirit

Article by Margaret Benefiel (July 2017 eNews)

What is the Spirit doing now? This question frames the New Contemplative Exchange, a gathering of 19 young contemplative leaders with Thomas Keating, Tilden Edwards, Richard Rohr, and Laurence Freeman, occurring next month at St. Benedict’s Monastery in Snowmass, Colorado.

Fifty years ago, the Spirit stirred Keating, Edwards, Rohr, and Freeman to a rediscovery of contemplative prayer in the West. While Eastern forms of meditation had begun to come to the West, they discovered, each in their own way, that their own Christian tradition contained a contemplative core. They began to spread this message and to invite others to join them in contemplative practice. Their individual journeys led to the creation of Contemplative Outreach (Keating), the Shalem Institute (Edwards), the Center for Action and Contemplation (Rohr) and World Community for Christian Meditation (Freeman).

Now, these leaders feel, the time has come for them to support young contemplative leaders, who, like themselves 50 years ago, are experiencing fresh winds of the Spirit for our time.

I am honored to have been invited to facilitate this gathering, and am excited to see what God is up to. We will gather to notice and name the Spirit’s movement. We will celebrate what God has done in the renewal of contemplative prayer in the past 50 years. We will celebrate what God is doing now.

What new forms are emerging that invite people into contemplative practice in this time and place? What new life is springing forth? How do we nurture this new life? These are just a few of the questions we will ask.

Based on the premise that contemplative practice serves as the vital grounding of Christian life and service, the gathering will explore how prayer moves us to respond to the urgent social and spiritual needs of our time. We will ground our time together in prayer, seeking to explore our questions through a heart-centered approach, listening for God’s voice in the midst of our conversations. We will take time for silence as needed, seeking to go deeper in our listening. Above all, we want to hear and respond to God, willing to let go of our own agendas.

I hope you will join us in prayer as we listen. I hope you will help undergird our contemplative grounding. We know our gathering will only ultimately be worthwhile if we listen deeply. If we respond to the Spirit’s stirrings in our hearts rather than the machinations of our minds, the fruit that is borne will remain.

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Alan Youel
Alan Youel
6 years ago

So that we may pray for the gathering as it is meeting, are you allowed to tell us its inclusive dates?
Thanks, Alan Youel

Margaret Benefiel
Margaret Benefiel
6 years ago
Reply to  Alan Youel

Thanks for praying, Alan. The dates are August 14-18, 2017.

Anita Davidson
Anita Davidson
6 years ago

A wonderful article about an exciting venture! Thank you, Margaret!

Margaret Benefiel
Margaret Benefiel
6 years ago
Reply to  Anita Davidson

Thank you, Anita!

Sue Fowler
Sue Fowler
6 years ago

May I volunteer to clean, cook, set up, break down meetings up there in Snowmass?!!!! What an amazing gathering that will be!!! Thank you for what you all do!
Sue Fowler
Shalem class of 2002!

Margaret Benefiel
Margaret Benefiel
6 years ago
Reply to  Sue Fowler

🙂

Jeff Genung
6 years ago

Margaret,

Thank you for sharing how the spirit is moving towards a vision of the next wave of the Christian contemplative movement. It’s inspiring to know that Fr. Thomas and the other elders are contemplating how to hand on the torch to the generation of practitioners. I will join you all in prayer during this time of reflection.

Margaret Benefiel
Margaret Benefiel
6 years ago
Reply to  Jeff Genung

Thank you so much for your prayers, Jeff.

Doreen Corwith Eckert
6 years ago

Wow, what a beautiful meeting that will be. Wish I could be there. Many Blessings to all of you.

Margaret Benefiel
Margaret Benefiel
6 years ago

Thank you, Doreen!

Ms. Gerry Fagoaga
Ms. Gerry Fagoaga
6 years ago

How awesome to witness how the Spirit is moving anew to bring about this gathering!
I’m already praying for the Spirit’s direction and guidance upon all participating.

Margaret Benefiel
Margaret Benefiel
6 years ago

Thank you so much for your prayers, Gerry.

David Salamon
David Salamon
6 years ago

It soundsike a wonderful conference! Wish I was coming. Special Blessings to you.

Margaret Benefiel
Margaret Benefiel
6 years ago
Reply to  David Salamon

Thank you so much, David.

Christine Cavanagh
Christine Cavanagh
6 years ago

Such a wonderful gathering!Should help this tradition to continue to thrive.

Margaret Benefiel
Margaret Benefiel
6 years ago

Yes, thank you, Christine.

Joyce Vertun
Joyce Vertun
6 years ago

This meeting is such good news! It lifts my heart to think what wonders God may choose to do with you all together -even more than what has already been accomplished with the cooperation of each individual. We will pray for you all as you listen.

Margaret Benefiel
Margaret Benefiel
6 years ago
Reply to  Joyce Vertun

Thank you so much, Joyce!

David Cole
6 years ago

As a young(ish) contemplative leader I am very interested in this, and would have loved to be there (what a set of teachers!). Sadly I am in the UK and this may have been invitation only, but I would love any outcome of it, any thing which one can download, or listen to, or watch…

Margaret Benefiel
Margaret Benefiel
6 years ago
Reply to  David Cole

So glad to know of your interest, David. We will share the outcomes of the gathering after it ends. Perhaps you will be available to participate in a future gathering?

Joycelin Dawes
6 years ago

This will be a fascinating and uplifting few days. I shall look drawers to following what comes out of it and hearing more.

Joycelin Dawes
6 years ago
Reply to  Joycelin Dawes

My comment should, of course, have read: ” I shall look forward to following what comes out of it and hearing more.”!

Reply

Margaret Benefiel
Margaret Benefiel
6 years ago
Reply to  Joycelin Dawes

Thank you, Joycelin.

Julett Broadnax
Julett Broadnax
6 years ago

Will be praying for wisdom and enlightenment of the spirit for the group and looking forward to any outcome you choose to share. Pace e Bene!

Margaret Benefiel
Margaret Benefiel
6 years ago

Thank you so much for your prayers, Julett.

Janet Hadley
Janet Hadley
6 years ago

I will be in prayer, that the Spirit will enlighten all with wisdom and knowledge.That all will hear, the voice of our God.
Waiting to hear the wind of the Spirit.
Blessings and Peace

Margaret Benefiel
Margaret Benefiel
6 years ago
Reply to  Janet Hadley

Thank you very much, Janet.

trackback

[…] to learn more about the Snowmass New Contemplatives Exchange, here’s a link to a letter from the Shalem Institute, a longtime organizational supporter of spiritual direction work and the contemplative life, […]

Sherry Britt
6 years ago

Is this still open for registration?

Margaret Benefiel
Margaret Benefiel
6 years ago
Reply to  Sherry Britt

Sherry, this event is by invitation from the founders, and there is limited space, so it is full. If you’re interested in participating in a possible future event, feel free to email me: Margaret@shalem.org

Mission

Our mission is to nurture contemplative living and leadership.

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In 2025, Shalem will be a dynamic and inclusive community, empowered by the Spirit, where seekers engage in transformation of themselves, their communities, and the world through spiritual growth, deep connection, and courageous action.

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