“I’ve heard it called a ‘thin place,’” he told me. “I’m not sure I believe that so I want to see for myself.” It sounded to my ears as if he’d laid down a challenge — to me or the island; I wasn’t sure which. This apparent skepticism from someone I respect gave me pause. […]

Sacred Earth, Sacred Soul Written by John Philip Newell Reviewed by Leah Rampy Stand by the roads, and look, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is; and walk in it and find rest for your souls.” Jeremiah 6:16 In the darkness of the COVID-19 winter, I was drawn again to the […]

Article by Leah Rampy (January 2019 eNews) A crisp winter’s eve. The longest night in the season of deepest darkness. The incessant drizzle that had dogged us for days deigns to pause as a small group of us put on our coats and leave the building’s shelter for the blazing fire. Our first year together […]

Today’s post is by Leah Rampy When compassion fills my heart,  free from all desire,  I sit quietly like the earth. My silent cry echoes like thunder  throughout the universe.  – Rumi What does it mean for us to be called to compassion, graced with the capacity and the desire? What do we notice about […]

Today’s post is by Leah Rampy “I’ve heard it called a ‘thin place,’” he told me. “I’m not sure that I believe that, so I want to see for myself.”  It sounded to my ears as if he’d laid down a challenge—to me, or the island, I wasn’t sure which. Coming from someone I respect, […]

Today’s post is by Leah Rampy He leadeth me beside the still waters.  He restoreth my soul. -Psalm 23:2-3 Sometimes I wake in the middle of the night. Worry about the state of our world, the desire to untangle a difficult knot on behalf of a loved one, or anxiety about a mistake I’ve made […]

Nature heals. Numerous articles have reported on research documenting various healing properties of nature. Those recovering from surgery heal faster and with fewer relapses when they see a tree instead of a brick wall from their hospital window. Residents in Toronto reported feeling better and having fewer health problems when there were more trees on their street. Gardeners were no doubt affirmed to hear that a strain of bacterium in the soil triggers the release of serotonin that in turn elevates mood and decreases anxiety. Children who grow up on farms are less likely to develop asthma. The microbes in the soil beneath our feet contribute to our health by way of the foods we eat.

I find these studies fascinating; I love being reminded of the synergies of all living things. Still I wonder what more is possible.

Many memorable moments have stayed with me from our time with Mark Nepo, featured speaker for Shalem’s Gerald May Seminar in March. Mark shared illuminating stories from around the world, revealing insights that we had been holding in our hearts but hadn’t yet named. The beauty and truth of his poetry released from many of […]

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. (Romans 15:13) In wonderfully spacious moments of listening, I am sometimes gifted to sense that all is woven together, that all hearts beat together in the One. […]

Contemplative leadership requires a countercultural paradigm shift, which chooses enlightened compassion over self-centered or socially conditioned power.  This power shift from dominating, controlling power to the power of love is supported by daily practices and disciplines. When compassion fills my heart, free from all desire, I sit quietly like the earth. My silent cry echoes […]

1973 – Nixon was President, Watergate hearings were beginning, the Vietnam War was ending, and IRA bombs were exploding in London. Amidst this time of unrest, a longing to walk more closely with God was emerging. In Washington, DC, Tilden Edwards, a young Episcopal priest, led a small group of spiritual seekers on retreat. Sensing […]

“See, I am doing a new thing!  Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?  I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.”  — Isaiah 43:19 “Behold!  God is doing a new thing.”  With these words, nine teams of Shalem graduates were commissioned as associate faculty to return to […]