Articles on Spiritual Direction

  • Three Simple Gifts

    Three Simple Gifts

    Today’s post is by Mary van Balen Recently I attended the Spiritual Director’s International Conference in St. Louis. The keynote speakers are well-known in the area of spirituality, and I looked forward to the breakout sessions, especially one on storytelling. To top it off, travel was a road trip with a good friend filled with…

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  • Spiritual discernment

    Spiritual discernment grows out of ongoing inner preparation. ~Margaret Benefiel

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  • Group Spiritual Direction

    Group Spiritual Direction

    Today’s post is by Patience Robbins Group spiritual direction, also known by other names such as sacred listening circles or prayerful listening circles, is a wonderful process for nurturing values such as mutuality, reverence, deep listening and compassion. Mutuality speaks of a circle model, in which everyone participates.  No one is an expert or the…

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  • Rest and Discernment

    Rest and Discernment

    Today’s post is by Bonnie Wallace The call to discernment is a call to deep rest and abiding presence. This type of rest is a source of renewal and openness. As Tilden Edwards explains in Sabbath Time, “Our minds and our prayers need to relax their frequent weekday grasping, striving, judging, fearing. Full rest is…

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  • Shared Spiritual Companionship

    Shared Spiritual Companionship

    Article by Tilden Edwards (in September 2016 eNews) The medieval mystic Hafiz said, “Like a great starving beast, my body is quivering, fixed on the scent of Light.” That’s a radical thought for us to bring to spiritual direction, both as director and directee. That quivering in me is the strong, graced desire for communion —…

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  • Discovering Our Identity

    Discovering Our Identity

    Today’s post is by Laura Bratton As a student at Princeton Theological Seminary, I was wrestling with deep theological questions that seminary students ask: Who is God? How do I understand God’s presence in the world? I was also struggling with another question. What is my identity? As a person who had recently become blind,…

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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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