Shalem Institute for Spiritual Formation to host Mirabai Starr

The Shalem Institute for Spiritual Formation will welcome Mirabai Starr, author and translator of the mystics and leading inter-spiritual voice, as guest speaker at Shalem's 12th Gerald G. May Seminar, April 28-29, 2017 in Rockville, MD.

WASHINGTON — The Shalem Institute for Spiritual Formation will welcome Mirabai Starr, author and translator of the mystics and leading inter-spiritual voice, as guest speaker at Shalem’s 12th Gerald G. May Seminar, April 28-29, 2017 in Rockville, MD.

Starr is well known as a writer, speaker and leader of retreats on the inter-spiritual teachings of the mystics. With her translations of John of the Cross, Teresa of Avila, and Julian of Norwich, she renders mystical masterpieces accessible and relevant to a contemporary circle of seekers.

Starr also is known for her ability to build bridges between contemplative life and compassionate service; between cultivating an inner relationship with the Beloved and expressing that intimacy in community; and between the transformational power of loss and longing for the sacred.


Her topic for the Seminar, “The Passion of the Mystics: A Contemplative Journey,” will focus on mystics of different traditions and their love-encounter with the Divine. As Starr herself puts it, “The mystics of all traditions claim that their love-encounter with the Holy One defies all description, and yet their experience of longing and union pours out in the form of ecstatic, luminous and richly descriptive poetry and prose.”

On Friday night of the Seminar, Starr will draw on the works of John of the Cross, Teresa of Avila, Julian of Norwich, Francis and Clare of Assisi, and Hildegard of Bingen, as well as Sufi saint, Rabia, Hindu poet, Mirabai, and others to explore this love-encounter. Saturday, participants will use passages from the mystics’ writings as lectio divina and also will experience writing responses, chanting and simple body practices.

Both the lecture (7-9 PM Friday) and workshop (10 AM-4 PM Saturday) will be held at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Rockville in Rockville, MD. Advance registration is requested as space is limited.

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Mirabai Starr, MA, is the author of a number of translations of the mystics, including Dark Night of the Soul, by John of the Cross; The Interior Castle and The Book of My Life by Teresa of Avila; and The Showings of Julian of Norwich. She is also the author of the Sounds True series, Contemplations, Prayers and Living Wisdom; a poetry volume, Mother of God Similar to Fire; God of Love: A Guide to the Heart of Judaism, Christianity and Islam; and most recently, Caravan of No Despair: A Memoir of Loss and Transformation.

The Shalem Institute for Spiritual Formation has provided support for contemplative living and leadership for over 40 years, offering a wide variety of programs and resources for spiritual directors, clergy, lay leaders and individuals who want to open themselves more fully to God in their daily lives and work. This Seminar is offered in memory of Gerald (Jerry) May, Shalem’s Senior Fellow for Contemplative Theology and Psychology for many years. Event details are available here.

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