Articles About Contemplative Living
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The Gift of Silence by Bunny Cox
Silence as prayer, friend, healer.
Digging Deep to Holy Water by Matthew Wright
Matthew explores the gifts and challenges of interspirituality.
Finding My Spiritual Home at Shalem by Susan Pullin
Susan shares her story of discovering Shalem, which has become a spiritual home to her.
Looking by by Margaret Guenther
The lessons of the different ways of looking back.
Listening to the Heartbeat of God by John Philip Newell
To listen for the heartbeat of God is to listen both within the vastness
of the universe and within the intimacy of our own hearts.
What I Know and Don't Know by Patience Robbins
Patience shares how the vulnerability of the "I don't know" mind leads to surprising spiritual insights and gifts.
Childlike Wonder by Sue Czarnetzky
The gifts of innocence and joy on a hot summer day.
Our Soul's Response to God by Evelyn Underhill
2011 is the 100th anniversary of the publication of Evelyn Underhill's classic work, "Mysticism." Here are selections from Evelyn Underhill's writings.
Tending the Seed of Spiritual Friendship by Liz Ward
Liz Ward, the Director of the Spiritual Guidance Program, shares the discovery of her call to spiritual friendship and spiritual direction
The Healing Power of Presence, a Visit with Henri Nouwen
Reflection of Nouwen's visit to Shalem in the 1980's and his thoughts on contemplative awareness
The Principle of Likeness by Richard Rohr
Excerpt from Richard Rohr's book "The Naked Now: Learning to See as the Mystics See"
Restlessness in Prayer by Jerry May
Jerry discusses the different ways to be with silent prayer.
I Surrender to God by Westina Matthews
Westina, a Shalem board member and graduate of the Spiritual Guidance Program, talks about her ritual for letting go and inviting forward.
Going Deeper by Marjorie Wilhemi
Marjorie, a graduate of the 2010 Clergy Spiritual Life & Leadership: Going Deeper Program, describes the powerful impact the program had on her spiritual life as she learned to make room in her pastoral life to let God guide.
Sabbath Practices for Going Deeper by Marjorie Wilhemi
Marjorie shares simple practices that help her keep the Sabbath every day to support her desire to remain rooted in God.
An Abundance of Blessings by Leah Rampy
Leah Rampy reflects on the multitude of blessings bestowed upon Shalem in 2010 and how God is calling forth Shalem to step boldly into new endeavors.
Peace in the Midst of Uncertainty by Liz Ward
Liz Ward reflects on the powerful witness and wisdom of Julian Norwich and her special relevance for us today as we, too, live through our own turbulent times.
Contemplative Possibilities in Corporate Worship / Liturgy by Tilden Edwards
This article offers a few suggestions that can help open the way for people’s first-hand presence in the Presence during a Sunday or other time of corporate worship. These include selected (sometimes modified) excerpts from the section on Liturgy in chapter four of Tilden's new book, Embracing the Call to Spiritual Depth (Paulist Press 2010), followed by a detailed form of a contemplative Eucharist/Holy Communion that is not in the book. Those of you who may be in non-Christian traditions may find some things adaptable to your worship forms.
Rediscovering a Desire for God by Carole Crumley
Carole Crumley examines the challenges that ordained clergy encounter when trying to maintain a spiritual life amidst the busyness of church and pastoral duties and how Shalem's Clergy Spiritual Life & Leadership: Going Deeper Program responds to these challenges.
What is Contemplative Spirituality?
Shalem's staff looks at the meaning of spirituality, different
spiritual paths, contemplation, and what it means to live
contemplatively in today's world.
Lectio Divina
Literally, "Divine Reading," these steps for praying with scripture offer contemplation and illumination.