Articles on Nature

  • 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…

    read more


  • The Wilderness of Becoming

    I have been thinking a lot about wilderness lately.  I sit writing this piece immediately following the festival of Shavuot, when we Jews celebrate God’s giving of the Torah and our entering into covenantal relationship with God in the wilderness of Sinai.  In addition, Jewish communities around the world are currently reading from the book…

    read more


  • “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…

    read more


  • Holy Whisper

    It was an exciting day! I woke up that morning in Avila, Spain, knowing we were going to tread some hallowed ground. Our group of pilgrims headed out the door and onto the ancient cobblestone streets of this walled city. The same streets that Teresa of Avila walked as a child, a young woman, and…

    read more


  • Spiritual Guidance as Love Activism

    In the Northern Hemisphere where I live, we’ve passed the autumnal equinox and are entering one of my favorite seasons – fall. As the days become shorter and the nights lengthen, we’re invited to lean back and settle into this fecund, pregnant, obscure season heading towards winter. During fall our Jewish brothers and sisters celebrate…

    read more


  • St. Clare of Assisi: Leading with Soul

    St. Clare of Assisi (1194-1253), for centuries best known as St. Francis’ “little plant,” eventually emerged as a strong leader in her own right in thirteenth-century Italy and beyond. While St. Francis took center stage with his extroverted charismatic leadership, St. Clare quietly built stronger structures behind the scenes. As I muse on St. Clare…

    read more



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.

Cancel