"If the only prayer you ever say in your entire life is thank you, it will be enough."
- Meister Eckhart
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Body & Mind
What is the Shalem Institute for Spiritual Formation?
The Shalem Institute for Spiritual Formation is one of the most respected centers for spiritual deepening in the US and globally. Shalem is based in Washington, D.C. It is grounded in the Christian contemplative tradition yet draws on the wisdom of many religious traditions. Since 1973, Shalem has fostered contemplative living and leadership by caring for the spiritual heart in prayer and by offering ways of opening into the life of the Spirit through programs and other resources. Shalem welcomes individuals wherever they are on the path of spiritual discovery by providing an opportunity for spiritual exploration and individually within a community of seekers.
What is the mission and vision of Shalem?
Shalem’s mission is to nurture contemplative living and leadership. Shalem’s vision is grounded in the understanding of God’s desire for peace, wholeness, and well-being. Shalem envisions a world transformed by contemplative living and leadership in which all people honor one another and creation, recognize their unity and interconnectedness, and courageously seek to live out of this reality.
Programs and partnerships.
Shalem offers programs and resources for contemplative living, prayerful reading, invitations to silence, retreat weekends, online courses, speakers and events, and long-term programs for clergy, teachers and aspiring spiritual directors, as well as contemplative retreats for executives seeking to lead from the heart. Shalem also has partnerships with like-minded organizations that enable Shalem’s ministry to expand around the world.
What is the Shalem Society.
The Shalem Society for Contemplative Leadership is a dedicated community of Shalem long-term program graduates committed to a contemplative orientation and its promise for individuals, groups, religious communities and society. The Shalem Society is open to all who have completed the second residency of a Shalem long-term program and is built around three major intentions:
Living from the Spirit in all circumstances and growing by grace in personal communion with God;
Sharing the fruits of this communion through outreach to spiritually hungry people and service to God’s shalom in the world;
Cultivating contemplative spiritual formation and discernment in all aspects of ministry and daily life, grounded in God’s guiding presence.