Articles on Spiritual Direction

  • 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…

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  • Deepening Community

    I recognized the growing niggles of anxiety that I had pushed to the furthest corner of my consciousness were growing more frequent. After several years of change and transition, bearing witness to individual and collective trauma and a growing concern for local and global justice – the dashboard of my life was full of flashing…

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  • God Seeks Me, God is Seeking Me This Moment

    Again and again, I am conscious that I am seeking God. There is ever present in me a searching, a longing for some ultimate resting place for my spirit—some final haven of refuge from storms and upheavals of life.  I seek ever the kind of peace that can pervade my total life, finding its quiet…

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  • 2024 Shalem Picks for Contemplative Resources

    A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life’s Purpose by Eckhart TolleI’ve enjoyed reading Eckhart Tolle’s A New Earth which clarifies very simply the development of consciousness in human evolution and the role of Ego in undermining higher consciousness. Immortal Diamond by Richard Rohr is another book that addresses similar issues as A New Earth but from…

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  • Life After 50

    In a marriage, a relationship or in one’s personal life, milestones are worth recognizing and celebrating. They are often times to pause, reflect and take stock – where have I been, where am I today, where am I going? What have I done, what is still mine to do? What do I love about where…

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  • Living and Leading from the Spiritual Heart

    Do not forget that you servea Mysterythat neither you nor your father’s fathernor your mother’s mother began.And the laughter and the tearsthat accompany your laborare not bornof your clevernessor your holiness,but are reflections of the Mystery of Godin the still watersof the eternal lakeby moonlight…~ William C. MartinThe Art of Pastoring Nine years later, I…

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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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