What Draws Us to Shalem
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by Jack Hutchings
During a break at Shalem's recent Psychology and Spirituality Workshop, I was touched as I talked with several people who had driven all the way from Long Island in order to attend. One member of the group, who has a ministry to persons with AIDS, originally learned of Jerry May's books through a meditation group. They all wanted to hear more to help them in their ministry. They also wished to purchase copies of Jerry's Simply Sane, since members had passed around and used their sole copy until it had become threadbare.What besides books leads us to Shalem?
In my case, when I attended a Washington Cathedral presentation of an ecumenical day providing spiritual resources, I had never heard of Shalem nor did I know the names of any of the staff. Out of a wide variety of speakers and presentations I was firmly drawn not only to hear Jerry May talk about Experiences of God but also to Tilden Edwards' Moving from Mind to Heart in Prayer. Ostensibly I selected these two sessions out of the many possibilities, although I now wonder whether it was my selecting or my being led. The words were important and liberating; I experienced permission to stop struggling and just to be open. "Be still and wait for God." But more important than the words was the feeling of "Oh! Ah! YES! This is it!"
Can the Oh! Ah! YES! be transmitted?
The Shalem Development and Communications Committee is charged to consider "ways to increase awareness and understanding of Shalem among the larger spiritual community and general public." There is an ongoing tension in spreading the good news about Shalem, and Committee members have prayed and sought inspiration on just how best to do this. Some of our suggestions have been accepted; others deemed too intrusive, over-assertive, or "not the Shalem way." There have been some changes in announcements, press releases, and advertisements; and there are now some Shalem family members willing to speak about Shalem to congregational groups; but a nagging doubt remains--are these adequate or even useful?
Despite these uncertainties, one thing seems clear both from earlier and more recent inquiries--people hear about Shalem in a variety of ways, but they may need a nudge of some experience of the contemplative approach before they actually enroll in a Shalem program. Of those who attend retreats or apply for the longer programs, most do so upon the recommendation of a spiritual director or spiritual friend. Those of us who live near Washington also find that encouraging friends interested in prayer or meditation to attend an open house helps them decide whether or not to try one of the workshops or quiet days.
What draws us to Shalem? We might as well ask how and why Grace ever enters our lives.
Jack, who chairs the Communications Sub-Committee, is a graduate of Shalem's Spiritual Guidance Program and a long-time participant in Shalem events.
© 2008 The Shalem Institute.