Articles on Spiritual Direction

  • Crossing The Threshold: Revelation of an Amazing Spiritual Adventure

    In my early years, the word “Revelation”– on the cover of the James Redfield book, The Nine Revelations (The Celestine Prophecy)— caught my attention. When the book came out in the 1990’s, it was a huge hit as the great spiritual adventure that conquered millions of readers around the world. Redfield weaves a tale about…

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  • Inside the Ramparts: A Journey Inwards

    We speed past green, rolling hills, pastures full of cows and sheep, and the red roofs of brick towns on the way to the Spanish city of Avila. The three hours on the train pass as quickly as the scenery due to my 85-year-old grandma and my excited conversation about the upcoming pilgrimage: our expectations,…

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  • The Healing Path

    The next time I went to see Thomas Merton for spiritual direction, I asked his permission to spend some time each day alone in the loft of the sheep barn. With Merton’s permission, I began my daily ritual of going to the loft of the sheep barn to pray and be alone with God. One…

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  • She Weeps: Leaning into the Spiritual Guidance Program

    She Weeps: Leaning into the Spiritual Guidance Program

    John 11:32b-35: “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.”When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping,he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. “Where have you laid him?” he asked.“Come and see, Lord,” they replied. Jesus wept. I am a new associate of the…

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  • Climate Change of the Heart

    Climate Change of the Heart

    What’s the climate of our time? Judging from what I hear from the news, the world is coming to an end. From what I hear from YouTube celebrities, it won’t if I do “these five things (and number four will surprise me!).” From what I hear from my heart, I don’t even know where to…

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  • Judge Me with Love: A Spiritual Practice Inspired by Julia Child

    Judge Me with Love: A Spiritual Practice Inspired by Julia Child

    Listen. Let me tell you something. I guarantee there is something beautiful and delicious about your life and it’s part of what makes this world good. Julia Child had butter and the desire to cook with it. Roses in that same buttery yellow are named for her. Those roses now grow in the dirt beside…

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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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