Washington, D.C. — Luminaries and practitioners in the contemplative tradition will circle the world in prayer continuously for 40 hours on October 13-15, 2013.

The live and virtual vigil is the inspiration of the DC-based Shalem Institute for Spiritual Formation and the culmination of its 40th anniversary year. The vigil will span continents and time zones. Participants in Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia and North America will be joined in prayer over the course of 40 hours.

The vigil unites for the first time many of the leading luminaries of the Christian Contemplative movement and their followers along with leaders of contemplative practices from other traditions. The honorary council members who have signed on to participate in the vigil are a “who’s who” of the contemporary contemplative lineage — Thomas Keating, Richard Rohr, Tilden Edwards, Parker Palmer, Laurence Freeman, Cynthia Bourgeault, Tara Brach, Joanna Macy, Mark Nepo and others.

“The power and possibility of people around the world joining hands virtually to circle the world in prayer offers a glimpse of spiritual community that supports and enriches our efforts to live contemplatively,” says Leah Rampy, executive director of Shalem. “The vigil is a celebration of the past 40 years, an expression of gratitude for the present moment and an opportunity to attend to the unfolding future and feel the collective strength and ripple effects of contemplative prayer in our time.”

Participation in the 40-Hour Contemplative Prayer Vigil is free and open to spiritual seekers and practitioners of all faiths who are inspired by this global call for contemplative prayer.

Joining the vigil is easy. Simply light a virtual candle on Shalem’s 40-Hour Contemplative Prayer Vigil map to indicate your presence. “You don’t personally have to sit in silence for the entire 40 hours, yet you will know that during that time, someone somewhere will be in silent prayer on behalf of all of us,” says Rampy. “You might find that a walking meditation is what seems invited, or perhaps softly chanting, a centering prayer, or simple stillness.  Listen to what calls to your spirit.”

Shalem will host a live prayer vigil for the entire 40-hour duration at Bon Secours Spiritual Center in Marriottsville, MD. Live streaming of the opening of this event will be available via the Shalem website.

In New Mexico, Richard Rohr will be praying with followers and staff at the Center for Action and Contemplation while in Rome, Italy, 49 people from the Convention of Episcopal Churches in Europe will be praying as will members of St. Paul’s Anglican Church in Osun State, Nigeria. Tara Brach, founder of the Insight Meditation Community of Washington, D.C., will dedicate her Monday evening satsang to the circle of prayer.

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Information on the Shalem Institute for Spiritual Formation: Shalem is one of the most respected centers for spiritual deepening in the US and globally. The Shalem community continues the lineage of the Christian Contemplative tradition. Its programs center on contemplative teaching and practices that open the mind and awaken the heart to the living Spirit. Shalem is privileged to have on its staff and featured in its programs many of the world’s foremost spiritual speakers and writers, including Tilden Edwards, Cynthia Bourgeault, Thich Nhat Hanh, Richard Rohr, and Eckhart Tolle. Its new, Online School of Contemplative Prayer Series brings Christian Contemplative living to the digital age.

Sign up for the vigil: http://www.shalem.org/index.php/shalem-programs/vigil

Follow updates on the Shalem vigil on Twitter: @ShalemInstitute #ShalemVigil

Follow the Shalem vigil on Facebook: http://on.fb.me/18tjs8V