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Our Soul’s Response to God
Selections from Evelyn Underhill’s writings Prayer is our soul’s response to God’s immense attraction, and this response begins in the activity of the will. Will and desire are the heart of the mental life turned to God. This is not mere pious reverie. As Saint Teresa says, at the beginning of our prayer life, we…
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What I Know and Don’t Know
Years ago, I recall sitting in a group with Jerry May while he was speaking about contemplative prayer. With great fun, he shared a story about a Tibetan monk who when asked a question would respond: “don’t know” and kept repeating “don’t know.” I still chuckle when I remember this and am reminded that answers…
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Finding My Spiritual Home at Shalem
I was probably about six years old when I first felt God’s presence. I have spent the rest of my life trying to understand what I should do with that sense of God and that “inner compass” that has kept nudging me toward God through the years. My life unfolded in the usual business ways,…
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Contemplative Worship
John of the Cross said that silence is God’s first language. Mother Teresa (who required two hours of silent daily prayer for her Sisters) said that silence is God speaking to us. Isaac of Nineveh advocated loving silence above all things, because it brings you near the fruit, which the tongue is too weak to…
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God and Peace-Making
by Amy Eilberg There are moments when things just come together. Decades of prayer, meditation and personal work converge in some miraculous way, by the grace of God, and for once, we find that we know just what to do. I had such a moment recently. Some years ago I was called to turn my time and attention to…
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Reflections of an Ardent Fundraiser
by June Costa At Shalem I have noticed that my approach to asking for charitable gifts has changed. I now have to view through the prism of the Spirit that motivates the giving, and I have to convey that message to individuals who are experienced with Shalem. At the same time, I need to cultivate new participants and potential…