• Spiritual discernment

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

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  • Howard Thurman: Black Theologian, Mystic, and Mentor

    Howard Thurman: Black Theologian, Mystic, and Mentor

    Today’s post is by Mary van Balen The reading from Mark’s gospel about the Gentile woman’s request for Jesus to heal her daughter possessed by a demon is one of my favorites. Jesus had slipped away from the crowds, but the woman found him and threw herself at his feet, asking for help. When Jesus…

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  • Glimpsing God in the Dark Night

    Glimpsing God in the Dark Night

    Article by Margaret Benefiel (December 2017 eNews) When 20 young contemplative leaders gathered at the beautiful St. Benedict’s Monastery nestled in the mountains of Snowmass, Colorado with Tilden Edwards, Thomas Keating, Richard Rohr, and Laurence Freeman for five days in August, one of the first themes that surfaced was societal impasse. In the midst of…

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  • Compassion through Contemplation

    Compassion through Contemplation

    Article by Catherine Kerr (featured in November 2017 eNews) Compassion means to understand another’s pain at such a deep level that it’s like feeling it yourself. Many mentors have told me over the years that the essence of pastoral ministry is connection and presence, being with. One seminary professor liked to say that the most…

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  • The Gift of Contemplative Awareness

    The Gift of Contemplative Awareness

    Today’s post is by Liz Ward “In God we live and move and have our being.” Acts 17:28 Voices on television, computers and in newspapers expose us to heartbreaking tragedies all over the world; taking in even a tiny fraction of the pain and suffering of creation can seem overwhelming. We see images of pain and…

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  • New Movements of the Spirit

    New Movements of the Spirit

    Article by Margaret Benefiel (July 2017 eNews) What is the Spirit doing now? This question frames the New Contemplative Exchange, a gathering of 19 young contemplative leaders with Thomas Keating, Tilden Edwards, Richard Rohr, and Laurence Freeman, occurring next month at St. Benedict’s Monastery in Snowmass, Colorado. Fifty years ago, the Spirit stirred Keating, Edwards,…

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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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