Shalom Quest
aims and ethos
Shalom Quest aims to support you in finding your own unique life path that is true for you, in whatever direction it travels. We speak of your path is a spiritual path, because it weaves together; the consciousness of being alive, with the question of what that might mean, and the challenge of how we live in relationship with others. This is why we define spirituality as, ‘the flow of the experience of meaning and relationship’.
Shalom Quest aims to create safe brave spaces that are available, open, and caring. Somewhere you – and your spiritual journey, pathway, or none – are honoured. A place where your life, its ‘meaning’ and ‘relationships’ are nurtured. Spaces where ’conversation’ is central, with any suggestion of ‘conversion’ rejected. It is your unique spiritual path we want you to discover. A path we will always respect, and support and help you to develop.
Shalom Quest’s ethos is shaped to draw people in, feeling comfortable secure, alerting their senses, provoking their imagination, and engaging them. Here we set out its key characteristics. Each feature may not appear radical in itself, but when they flow together their impact is significant. So, whether Shalom Quest is something you want to initiate, or just participate in, these are its aims and ethos:
- Creating safe brave spaces
Creating safe brave spaces where people can each share their different spiritual journeys with others, its joys, challenges and questions, in open and engaging conversations (online or in person). Everyone learning from each other; sharing mutual support. All about reflection, orientation, direction and action – seeking ‘meaning’ rather than just right or wrong answers.
- Support conversations
Supporting these conversations with free-to-use high quality easily accessible resources, including engaging and inspirational films around the three major themes of ‘spirituality’, ‘community’, and ‘wellbeing’. Along with a range of action-reflection responses to engage people’s interest, stimulating their thinking, and empower their contributions.
- Affirming spirituality
Affirming ‘spirituality’ as foundational to every experience of living. We define it as, ‘the flow of the experience of meaning and relationship’. The flow of ‘consciousness,’ “I’m alive!” Provoking the question, “What does it mean to be alive?” raising issues of purpose and value. This in turn raises the question, “How should I live?” reviewing my relationships and behaviour.
- Assuring people
Assuring people that spirituality never requires a belief in a deity, though of course it can always embrace a belief in god if that’s the understanding you come to. So many people self-exclude themselves from ’spirituality’ thinking a belief in god is a precondition. It is not. Those who do believe in god would benefit from taking a step back, to reflect on spirituality in fresh ways, seeing how this might enrich their faith path?
- Centring all universal lifegiving values
Centring all universal lifegiving values at the heart and expression of each true expression of spirituality. Values provide meaning and shape at the core of every culture and belief on the planet. Each community holds unique insights into each value from which we can all learn. Each value is linked to every other value deepening its worth its power to impact and transform.
- Focusing on shalom
Focusing on shalom the ancient concept of ‘peace as wholeness’ holding every value within its inclusive vision, of integrity in personal character, justice within all relationships, and wellbeing where everything is thriving physically and mentally. Shalom is like a seed germinating in your heart, a shining star illuminating your path, a sphere surrounding you with deep harmony.
- Encouraging choices
Encouraging choices towards a spirituality that is true for you, and the person you really want to be. Many across different traditions struggle as to whether their spirituality can engage with today’s world. Might other spiritual paths be more meaningful for them? Our spaces enable reflection on what is actually true for them and which path do they really wish to follow?
- Nurturing mental wellbeing
Nurturing mental wellbeing in these troubled times with sensitive listening and quiet reflection. Engaging with each person’s questions, creating a truly positive ethos with a spirituality that both heals, and nourishes hope. Somewhere you have the freedom to say things exactly as you are feeling them, expressing emotions and knowing you will always be respected for doing so.
- Inspiring social involvement
Inspiring social involvement because genuine spirituality always finds expression in activism. We encourage participants to personally, or with others (perhaps on quite different paths), to give time to projects (with local or global focus) that will make a difference in other people’s lives and put to the test the innate transforming power imbedded within every lifegiving value.
- Enabling different learning styles
Enabling different learning styles for those from diverse ethnic-cultural backgrounds, or have had challenging educational experiences, or face physical limitations. All irrespective of their age or ability. Adapting and creating accessible resources as necessary. Further, widening accessibility by making resources available in different languages and formats as required.
- Asking open questions
Asking open questions that stimulate even more open conversations. Questions that are inviting, disarming, and empowering to participants, that make it clear that a ‘correct answer’ approach closes down rather than opens up conversations around an idea, experience, or understanding. Open questions create the opportunity to reflect and think differently.
- Respecting every question
Respecting every question honours the genius of each person’s insights and perspective. When so many people preface a contribution with, “This is probably a stupid question, but …”, you realise the extent education, institutions, and our culture, crushes rather than nurtures thought and enquiry. Safe brave spaces honour the gift of every individual’s perspective.
- Questioning answers
Questioning answers truth-tests tradition. Shining a light on unquestioned ideas, and popular assumptions. It is a vital aspect of today’s spiritual search. Are they accurate or even, correct? Can they be re-expressed? Are they a dead-end or an open door? Should they be rejected? Ideas that are lifegiving – live! So, do they inspire a sense of excitement? Do they provoke more questions?
- Questions are more about setting a direction
Yes, people want to discuss practical questions about what they can have reason to trust as correct and reliable, alongside philosophical questions that open up different views and ideas. Yet life flows, living is happening! So, questions also need to help people in their orientation; in setting the direction they choose for their pathway. It’s journey – not just theory, but a trajectory.
- Sensitive
Sensitive to the fact that religious language and experience can leave deep raw wounds which often produce powerful negative reactions when stirred. A single misplaced word can reopen the pain, due to past emotional struggles with teachings and doctrines. This we must recognise, respect, and work towards finding healing if they are to move forward on their spiritual path.
- Awakening interest
Awakening interest among those who show no interest in spirituality. We respect this. Yet they also have insights from which we have much to learn. Would they share these even if they don’t see them as spiritual? Can we talk about how we understand spirituality? Can we invite them to share their life-path story? Do they have any thoughts about living, meaning, and relationship?
find your path