Shem Center Circle of Respect

The Shem Center Circle of Respect is a simple ritual that has been used for years to begin every Shem Center gathering. It is a brief guided meditation that declares Shem Center’s message of inclusivity and welcome. It has been used with groups of just a few people and as many as some 10,000 as was the case during the 2004 Barcelona Parliament of the World’s Religions. It is the preeminent Shem Center proclamation that lays a foundation for recognizing, honoring, and holding as sacred the great diversity that is all of creation—and all human life on planet Earth. This simple guided meditation is being used by teachers of children in classrooms in many parts of the world as well as by retreat directors and conference speakers. Shem Center has received reports of it setting a tone of understanding and civility helping an audience receive the message a speaker is offering.