Reflections on Shalem's 1st Regional Gathering
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by Wilma Wake
What a treat it was to take a leisurely drive to a Shalem retreat about contemplative spiritual leadership. I found another participant going from Maine, and we shared the three-hour drive to Holyoke, MA. The trip went quickly with our new spiritual friendship forming en route.I've taken two Shalem extension programs but have always traveled alone and by plane to D.C. At the residencies, I have met people from all over the world-people I came to cherish dearly but most of whom it would be hard to see again after the program because of the geographic distance dividing us. This time I was taking a five-day Shalem retreat that was being offered within a few hours drive of my home.
Our retreat was the first of a series of regional programs that Shalem will be offering around the county, thanks to a generous grant for this purpose. Shalem will be in Burlingame, CA, in January, and then on to various other regions.
I was amazed that over 60 people attended this first regional gathering and that most of the participants had never been to a Shalem program. There were many stories from participants having heard that Shalem had great programs, but the long trip to the D.C. area had been an insurmountable barrier before.
As we arrived on Monday afternoon, I was delighted to find so many old friends from around New England, as well as to have the opportunity to meet new regional contemplatives. We were called into session by a staff that included two people from our region who had previously taken Shalem programs.
By Monday evening we were divided into small groups for sharing and processing. Our groups were based on geographic location, as much as possible. My group members primarily lived in or near Maine, so maintaining personal contact after the retreat was a realistic expectation. That knowledge added to the depth of our experience.
There was a seamless flow in modes of contemplation, with large group presentations from Shalem staff about the contemplative spirituality roots of leadership. Then we were given reflection questions to consider in quiet, prior to joining our small group around a candle to share our reflections.
The highlight of the five days was 48 hours of silent retreat. We began on Tuesday evening and did not break the silence until Thursday evening. Many of us commented later on the power of being silent in community. We passed each other in the corridors and walking the grounds; we ate together. Yet we greeted each other in silence and honored the inner contemplation for each other. I cherished the silence, having grown from each one I experienced in Shalem residencies.
For many others, this was their first silent retreat and they didn't know what to expect. The staff gave careful preparation for the event, and we met in our small groups before beginning in order to support each other in prayer. In addition, the staff provided a range of optional prayer opportunities during the silent time. There were some guided meditations, some body movement prayer, walking prayer, and sculpting with clay.
I entered my silent time with a prayer of: "What shall we do together, God? This time is for you to guide me." I found myself strolling to a nearby art store to buy a sketchpad and drawing pencils. I spent most of my silent time sketching, both as prayer and as journal-keeping. God showed me that our prayer time can be drawing, and walking, and sculpting with clay. I found deeper dimensions to my Divine relationship through the silence and the resources there for us. By the end, I was reaffirmed in my union with God and energized with exciting new ways to pray on a daily basis.
We ended our silence as we had begun it-in our small groups sharing quietly around our flickering candle. Then we went into a plenary session to reconnect with everyone after our silence.
On Friday, we considered how we had grown together and discussed ways to enhance our networking in New England. Our retreat concluded with a joyous contemplative Eucharist. I did not feel as much sadness as I so often do when a Shalem program ends, because this time I shared the experience with so many who lived near me and we would be able to continue our interactions in person.
There was great thirst for more Shalem events in New England. Yet we also saw the limitations in Shalem's resources for bringing programs to the regions. We could, however, count on Shalem's help and affirmation. The staff encouraged us to network in New England and to support each other in our contemplative journeys.
I was left with a deep, abiding gratitude to Shalem. It has been a beacon of light for my spiritual growth and leadership. Although I would have loved to hear that Shalem would be in New England several times a year for programs, I was empowered by the reminder that the inner light of contemplation lies in each of us. This light guides us to the fellow contem-platives in our own area, and we can find, with them, ways to flourish and support each other on our journeys. I felt that we were walking with Shalem along the pathway to a new era in Shalem's calling: one of outreach and support to regions and regional contemplative networking.
Wilma is a graduate of Shalem's Spiritual Guidance Program, Summer Class of 2001.
© 2008 The Shalem Institute.