Articles on Community

  • 2025 Shalem Picks for Contemplative Resources

    44 Poems on Being with Each Other by Padraig O. TuamaOne of my favorite podcasts is Poetry Unbound from the On Being Studios in MN. This is the second book inspired by the series. All of the poems included are meditations on human relationships, understanding, and communication. A book to be savored. If you read…

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  • 2025 Shalem Picks for Contemplative Resources

    Active Hope by Joanna Macy & Chris JohnstoneI returned to this book this year for hope in the midst of chaos. Macy and Johnstone offer practices and vision for choosing hope when everything looks hopeless.-Margaret Benefiel, Executive Director Aflame: Learning from Silence by Pico IyerIyer provides a rich exploration of the clarity and calm that…

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  • Opening the Heart of Compassion

    How can we skillfully navigate suffering in the present moment? What practices might we employ that remind us that we are not alone? These questions have become particularly relevant to me in the last three years. Perhaps they are meaningful for you right now. In September 2022, my beloved husband of 24 years was killed…

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  • “Residency”- A Transforming Community Poem

    Beckoned and gatheredDrawn ever closeWe beganSharing storiesOur yearningsOur souls Exposing deep woundsAnd time worn scarsWe shared hopesNamed our fearsAnd lifted our hearts Emboldened,EncompassedEnthralled We spokeWe listenedWe heard And we dancedAnd we stompedAnd we walked and we paused Wisdom teachings, traditionsShared and brought forthWe gathered as peersEncouraged, reinforced Summoned each by SpiritIn silence and prayerWe opened…

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  • Pause, Release, Return… Repeat as Needed

    “Are we really as awake as we think we are?” The question jumped off the page and stopped me in my tracks. My immediate response was, “Well, sure I am…maybe…I don’t know…maybe not.” This question is posed by Caroline Oakes in the introduction of her book, Practice the Pause – Jesus’ Contemplative Practice, New Brain…

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  • A Letter from Rev. Jeffrey Ross, President of the Shalem Board of Directors

    Dear Shalem Community, For the last ten years, the Shalem Institute has been blessed by the dedicated and skilled leadership of the Rev. Dr. Margaret Benefiel. As Margaret shared in her letter above, she has let the board know that she is ready to retire as Executive Director. As Executive Director, she enhanced the financial…

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Mission

Our mission is to nurture contemplative living and leadership.

Vision

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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