Commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Shalem Institute, this collection of experiential and academic essays offers modern contemplative reflections from new and renowned voices in spiritual leadership.

Founded in 1973 by the Rev. Dr. Tilden H. Edwards, Jr., Shalem Institute for Spiritual Formation offers retreats, workshops, and groups centered around contemplative spirituality. The culmination of half a century of charitable ministry, this commemorative anthology features essays written by Shalem graduates, as well as current and former board members and program directors. Its release will coincide with the Shalem Institute’s 50th anniversary.

Co-edited by Shalem graduate and board member Westina Matthews, Shalem’s Executive Director Margaret Benefiel, and Jackson Droney, Shalem’s Director of Operations and Online Learning, Soul Food takes an inclusive and contemporary approach to contemplative living and leadership. Designed in alignment with Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives, this vital book spotlights authors of different ethnicities, faith backgrounds, and gender identities, while consistently centering the development of day-to-day practices designed to deepen engagement with the divine. With essays from notable contributors from Shalem's past and present, such as Tilden Edwards, the institute's founder and former director; Gay Byron, Professor of New Testament and Early Christianity at Howard University; and Carl McColman, well-known Christian mystic and spiritual director, this collection looks to the future, set to serve as an invaluable resource in spiritual formation for the next 50 years, and beyond.

Foreword

Valerie Brown

A Note from the Founder

Tilden Edwards

Introduction

Westina Matthews, Margaret Benefiel, and Jackson Droney

Led by Starlight Down a Marvelous Road

Winston Breeden Charles

Part 1: Welcoming and Belonging

God's Pronouns: A New Translation of a Mystical Classic Invites Us Into the Beautiful Mystery of Gender

Carl McColman

Listening for the Holy

Sarah Forti

Contemplative Collegiality: Caring for the Souls of Black Biblical Scholars

Gay L. Byron

From Censorship to Contemplation: Silence in Queer Life

J. M. Smith

Toward a Decolonising Spiritual Direction Practice: Weeping, Gnashing Teeth, and Opening to the (Ancient) New

Althea Banda-Hansmann

I Am

Joanne Youn

Tell Me about Mary's Rage

Amanda Lindamood

To Heal What Ails Us: Belonging through Group Spiritual Direction

Melanie Dobson

Part 2: Holy Awe

A Thousand Paths to Contemplation

Westina Matthews

Seeing with the Eyes of the Heart: Social Justice and the Art of Spiritual Guidance

Phillip Stephens

Coming to Our Senses: Embracing Wonder and Gratitude

Leah Moran Rampy

Embodying Contemplative Leadership: Howard Thurman and Feeding the Timeless Hunger of the Human Spirit

Lerita Coleman Brown

Considerations of Recovery, Centering Prayer, and Social Justice Action

Anita-Yvonne (AY) Bryant

What Your Tender Heart Knows

Marcelle Martin

Embodied Contemplation of Deep Time: Resourcing for Spiritual Resilience

Kolya Braun-Greiner

A Contemplative View of Resilient Aging

Elaine Voci

Summer Day of the Owls

DanaLee Simon

Contributors

Vision Statement 2025

Acknowledgements