44 Poems on Being with Each Other by Padraig O. Tuama
One of my favorite podcasts is Poetry Unbound from the On Being Studios in MN. This is the second book inspired by the series. All of the poems included are meditations on human relationships, understanding, and communication. A book to be savored. If you read one each day as part of your prayer and meditation time, you will find your thoughts drawn back to the poem throughout the day as you contemplate deeper meanings derived from each work.
-Jeff Ross, Board of Directors
Across That Bridge: A Vision for Change and the Future of America by John Lewis
Writing at the end of his life, Lewis weaves together both call and blessing. “Answer the highest calling of your heart and stand up for what you believe.” “…let the spirit of peace and everlasting love be your guide.”
-Carole Crumley, Going Deeper: Clergy Life & Leadership staff & Pilgrimage Leader
The Awakened Heart: Opening Yourself to the Love You Need by Gerald May
In these tumultuous times, I need to be reminded of the basics of the contemplative life. What are we seeking? Why are we seeking? How do we maintain the disciplines of silence and discernment in the middle of a chaotic world?
I have been returning to one of the books by Gerald May that we read in the Spiritual Guidance Program: The Awakened Heart: Opening Yourself to the Love You Need. In lay person’s language, May offers the perspective of a psychotherapist to these basic questions about the contemplative life. May captures the essence of the Christian contemplative journey in the following words, “But what God wants, and what our hearts most deeply seek, is for us to live every moment, do every act, breathe every breath in conscious immediacy with the One who is all love.” (p. 211) That one sentence continues to give me focus, purpose, practice, and hope.
Whether you are new to the contemplative journey, or seeking to reground your contemplative practice, I invite you to take a few deep breaths, go back to the basics, and let Gerald May’s wisdom guide you.
-Tom Frost, Board of Directors
Discovering the Spiritual Wisdom of Trees by Leah Rampy and Beth Norcross
A powerful reflection on nurturing a heart connection to trees. Beautifully written, this book will draw you deeper, energize you, and renew your soul.
-Margaret Benefiel, Executive Director
Flow (2024), Directed by Gints Zilbalodis
A beautiful and absorbing animated film with no dialogue, winner of the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature Film.
-Beverly Gibson, Board of Directors
The Garden Within by Anita Phillips
Anita Phillips’ work does a beautiful job of weaving together faith, neuroscience, and wellness to reframe how we understand our inner world. It is a great reminder to be curious and consider the state of our hearts with both patience and presence.
-Karah Palmer, Board of Directors
High Tide in Tucson by Barbara Kingsolver
In this collection of essays, Kingsolver takes you into everyday life and helps you see the surprising depth and spiritual potency bubbling right beneath the surface, as only she can. Published nearly 30 years ago, this remains a compelling read.
-Bryan Berghoef, Pilgrimage Leader
Inciting Joy by Ross Gay
In this beautifully written collection of essays, author and poet Ross Gay explores the joy which can arise when we care for each other during life’s inevitable hardships.
-Phillip Stephens, Program Director of Nurturing the Call: Spiritual Guidance Program
Morning and Evening by Jon Fosse
This short novella by the 2023 Nobel Prize winner for literature, Jon Fosse, ended like the embrace of an answered prayer. Surrender to his unique and intimate narrative style and you will be rewarded. One of the most heartfelt works of fiction I have read in quite some time.
-Chuck McCorkle, Pilgrimage Leader
Ordinary Mysticism by Mirabai Starr
I recommend the book, Ordinary Mysticism by Mirabai Starr. It is inspiring, engaging and practical. It is full of stories that illustrate the themes as well as practices and writing prompts. Although much of the material was familiar, it felt fresh and nuanced, reminding me that the ordinary is full of the Holy if I am open to seeing. I particularly want to share this book with young adults, as a way of expanding their understanding of spirituality.
-Patience Robbins, Leader, “Prayer for the World”
Practice the Pause: Jesus’ Contemplative Practice, New Brain Science, and What It Means To Be Fully Human by Caroline Oakes
As I began reading this book, it felt new and yet familiar at the same time. One day I turned it over to read about the author and was delighted to see that she was a graduate of what is now Transforming Community (TCP), the Shalem program I have the privilege of leading. Oakes provides an accessible read on the “science” of contemplative practice and our beautiful weaving of body, mind, and spirit. She (re)introduces us to Jesus as wisdom teacher and contemplative and encourages us to notice his model of the path of transformation. This warm and powerful book is now on the required list for TCP and on my highly recommended list for many others in my life.
-Lorie Conway, Program Director of Transforming Community: Leading Contemplative Spiritual Groups and Retreats
“Simple Presence & Qigong”- A Shalem Gathering
During these turbulent and troubling times, the most valuable practice to keep myself centered and grounded has been “Simple Presence” – Shalem’s daily Zoom gathering at 7:30am ET. 20 minutes of shared silence following a short reading, poem or scripture. All are welcome! On Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturday, this is followed by a 25-minute qigong flow – a gentle movement and breath prayer for those who choose to join.
Zoom Meeting Info:
Meeting ID: 910 5265 0207
Passcode: silence
-Anita Davidson, Nurturing the Call: Spiritual Guidance Program staff
“Step in God: A Longing for Peace and Human Belonging” by Annemarie Paulin-Campbell
This poem titled “Step in God” by South African spiritual director and Life Coach Annemarie Paulin-Campbell was an opening on Sunday morning, 22 June, when my heart was sore, waking to the escalating U.S. war news and bomb strikes in Iran. What I know for sure is that we are all our relations, we are all kin, we are the body—the hands, heart, and feet of the sacred. May our heartbreak lead to action, to doing justice as love, and birthing a new model of power for our collective belonging.
-Althea Banda-Hansmann, Co-Leader of Soul of Leadership: South Africa
“Trough” from The Sea Accepts All River and Other Poems by Judy Brown
This poem by Judy Brown was inspired by a childhood memory, growing up on the Great Lakes. I have found myself reading it often in these turbulent times.
-Julie Pennington-Russell, Co-Director of Going Deeper: Clergy Spiritual Life and Leadership