Benedictine Oblate Newsletter No. 16, December 2012

Viaway of lifeVitae

Benedictine Oblates of The World Community for Christian Meditation

A Meeting of the Ways n November 2011, our Benedictine oblate cell group was The day arrived and after bussing from Arcadia down Iconcluding its annual three day retreat at the Benedictine to Surry Hills we found our group of ten retreatants very monastery at Arcadia in Sydney. At the celebratory lunch excited and enthused about the days ahead. At the end of I found myself seated beside the Prior, Father Bernard our bus trip, we were welcomed by the Monks and offered McGrath and we became engrossed in a conversation that lunch in the cloisters of the monastery. Some of us sat took an interesting turn. inside the covered walkways while others sat out in the I explained to Fr Bernard that I had been involved for beautiful gardens of the monastery. It was a wonderful way the last eleven years with a prayer group in the inner city to begin our retreat and this was only the beginning. The of Sydney. This group is called David’s Place and those who retreatants were invited to join with the Monks in praying are part of David’s Place are often people who live on the the Office if they wished and many went to experience and margins of our society. Very few of the people who attend or pray the Hours. David’s Place have regular employment. Many of them are affected by mental illness or some kind of addiction. Meetings are essentially prayer meetings. We do share in conversation, we also share simple meals but the central reason why we come together is to share in the Gospel and the prayer that arises out of the Gospel readings. Once a month we also have a barbecue and a mass which is attended by between 30 to 40 people. We have an annual Christmas celebration and usually more than 100 people come along. We serve a very hearty Christmas lunch to all who attend and each person receives a gift. The original vision of David’s place was built upon the Fr Bernard had agreed to give the talks throughout the work of Fr Brian Stoney SJ, who had been engaged for retreat and these were supported by activities that he had several years with the marginalised of the inner cities of sensitively and creatively designed to help all of us ponder Sydney and Melbourne. Sue Buckingham who had been and deepen our relationship with Jesus. With his first talk inspired by working with Fr Brian started David’s Place. he set one of the themes of the retreat by asking us all Sue had always felt that those who lived on the margins to do some scribbling. He then went on to show us some had a unique contemplative gift to offer, that arose out of scribble that had been done by an artist in London and the fact that they had been stripped of so much in their how this scribbling had been described by Sister Wendy journey through life. She felt that, for a city to have a real Beckett, Art Historian. Bernard suggested that perhaps our heart, it needed to have a true spiritual connection with its prayer life was like scribble. Our prayer life is an inner- poorest. It was not a vision of simply helping the poor - it seismograph of what is going on, without our being in full was something far more dynamic. It was a vision of mutual control. enrichment. When I started talking to Fr Bernard I mentioned to him that one of other things that we do as a community is have an annual retreat, but it had become increasingly difficult to find a suitable venue. Bernard immediately suggested that perhaps the people would like to come to the Benedictine Monastery at Arcadia. Bernard, Sue and I continued to dialogue over the ensuing year and arrangements were made for a retreat that would be held over a three day period in October 2012. Bernard and the monastic community were extremely generous in providing not only accommodation, in the guest cottage but also their mini bus so that we could transport the retreatants to and from the inner city up to the monastery (about an hours drive each way). The Sydney Oblate community, led by After this talk Fr Bernard advised us that he would be Trish, also responded to this event in an extremely generous bringing the cattle up from the lower paddock for feeding. manner. They volunteered to provide food, linen and About twelve of us stood at the top of the rise, watching support services for the retreat and George volunteered to Bernard’s efforts. The cattle by and large moved in the drive the bus. right direction although repeatedly some of the cows would peel off and wander back towards where they came

2 from. This forced Bernard to run back and usher them further in towards the rest of the herd. After watching Bernard run to and fro in this manner for over an hour, two retreatants decided to jump the fence and help him. Soon the cattle were all inside by the feeding gates. One of our retreatants, who was so excited by all of this began to clap, which unfortunately caused the cows to turn and run back to the lower paddock. So once again Bernard and his two helpers began their patient work. We all pondered what the herding of the cows had to do with the talk that Bernard had just given. In the late afternoon we gathered and shared what the experience had been like for us. Some focused on how much they had enjoyed being in nature, smelling the grass and touching the cows. Others thought that the cows and the herding Bernard also gave us talks on the final day about prayer. was perhaps a metaphor of how God works with us and how In one he explained the kinds of situations that had arisen we keep resisting his best efforts to usher us towards the in his life as priest, monk and man that created the need place where we will be most satisfied. The two volunteer for prayer and reminded us that this will arise in our own herdsmen from David’s Place, who jumped the fence to life situations that will also evoke a particular need for help Bernard, perhaps were like those who appreciate the prayer. efforts of God and offer their services in his quest. We had our last lunch together and during the meal there Fr Bernard explained that Jesus often used nature as his were many expressions of gratitude from the retreatants, teaching aid in speaking of fish, mustard seeds, sheep etc. the Oblate helpers and from Fr Bernard himself. We all felt Bernard sensed that if we were more fully in contact with incredibly blessed by this time together in retreat. There nature we will almost certainly be in contact with Jesus. were minor tiffs and tensions between the retreatants All of the talks by Bernard included the theme of nature. but dominantly there was an atmosphere of harmony and We were fascinated to hear the story of someone who had friendship. The David’s Place community moved even observed a butterfly emerging from its cocoon and decided deeper into a life of prayer and community. For me this was to help it by peeling the cocoon away. Unfortunately this a great retreat and one for which I would like to express resulted in the stunted development of the butterfly. my gratitude to Fr Bernard, the monks, the retreatants who Bernard’s message to us all was: although we are often participated so fully and to all the Oblates from our cell going through things that seem difficult, it is, in fact, the group who served so graciously. difficulty that is the making of us. To supplement this talk, Paul Taylor, Australia Bernard sent us out in pairs to see if we could find cocoons. [email protected] My partner Robert, who has a limp and moves rather slowly, was the only person who was able to find a cocoon, and I sensed that it was partly due to his slow and careful gaze. CONTENTS

I came to realise that it was the Robert’s pace that allowed A meeting of the ways...... 1 him to find the cocoons first. He taught me, in a sense, how Editorial...... 4 to look at nature. Confused ramblings of a postulant...... 5 On the second evening of the retreat we were divided into three groups and were asked to make posters which Contemplative minds for compassionate Christian action...... 6 explored the theme of scribble. Magazines were cut up, NZ retreat...... 7 scribble was done, and a great deal of enjoyment and laughter was had by all. WCCM oblate blog...... 8 Another theme emerged from the artwork of Terry In loving memory...... 9

O’Donnell, one of our Oblates. Terry, a professional artist Lets begin...... 10 had recently done a series of paintings, Kerygma, from the New oblations: Makassar & London...... 11 life of Christ that are hanging in the Monastery Chapel. Introduction to Christian Meditation..... 12 Each of the retreatants had been given a copy of one of these to reflect on during the course of the retreat. Near Annual oblate silent retreat, Canada.... 13 the end of the retreat Terry explained to us the process of Monastery Without Walls...... 14 how he had developed these beautiful images. Book corner...... 16

Contact info...... 16

3 I encourage reading this chapter on ‘Hope’ in its entirety editorial and, of course, other chapters as well. On 13th July, Sr Margaret Collier, much loved and respected friend of the Irish meditation community and While all the world, Lord God, oblate Co-ordinator, ‘went home to the Lord’. In my new lay wrapped in deepest silence, role as international oblate co-ordinator over eight years and night had reached its mid-point, ago I communicated with Sr Margaret on many occasions your all-powerful Word came down. and was guided by her wisdom. The tender tributes by As year by year the beauty of this night returns, Fergal McLoughlin and Rowena O’Sullivan are included in this issue. growing old with the aged Wishing you, your family, and friends a blessed Christmas and renewed in the wonder of children, and a New Year abundant with peace and hope. so may we, grown old in sin but reborn to grace, proclaim with our lives Love Trish what we chant with our lips: Glory to you, our God, in the highest heaven, peace on earth and in the depth of every human heart. We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Concluding Prayer of ‘The Nativity of Our Lord’ from Benedictine Daily Prayer: A Short Breviary

ay we convincingly proclaim PEACE in how we live As you know the Church and the world Meach day. This past year we have helplessly witnessed, are starved of wisdom and of love. either personally, or through technology brought into our In most places in the world living rooms, heart-breaking human tragedies of wars and uprisings; storms, floods, fires; random killings; and then; the Churches are becoming beleaguered. last week, the slaughter of twenty young children in school In most places there is a deepening sense along with six of their teachers. How can we be ‘at peace’? of ruin and of the absence of wisdom. How do we convincingly live peace in our hearts? Peace, at But one wise man or woman these times, is united with ‘hope’. The following quote, from The Selfless Self by Laurence can always hold back the flood. Freeman OSB, is a gift: So there is no greater act of social or political or religious responsibility When we sense hope in another person than any of us could undertake it gives us hope. than to become more fully conscious, For some reason deeper than reason, more fully rooted in consciousness, in God. meeting hope in others gives us Never let anyone discourage you the strength to be strong, to persevere. In our own time perhaps the greatest on the path of meditation as in any way and most urgently needed gift being in opposition or conflict that the Christian can give to the world with social, political or religious responsibility. is the gift of hope. … The one thing that all societies need is wisdom. Hope is a fundamental attitude There is only one path of wisdom. or direction of consciousness. … And the fountainhead of wisdom To be hopeful is to make the discovery is to be found in your heart, that we are integral parts of something in the mystery of prayer. greater than ourselves,

and that we are living The Way of Unknowing, John Main OSB, pp. 129-130 with the energy of that complete reality.

4 The Confused Ramblings of a Postulant

ow do we discern if the desire to become an oblate is a In all of this the only thing I can be sure of is my Hreal call or just a fanciful dream full of the ego? meditation practice, the time when I can let the activity I first heard of an Oblate at a silent retreat in Sydney of my mind go, and just rest with my mantra and know in 2009, maybe a seed was sown then and growing root that God loves me. I’ve just read Joan Chittister’s book over these past three years. As I write this I am full of the Following the Path and she talks about the 7 steps to idea that I can’t; can’t write that is, my writing skills are discern our calling: inadequate, I can’t maintain a train of thought for more 1. fits our skills, than a millisecond, let alone put a sentence together. But 2. something that goes beyond either interest or ability, then I think if I share my confusion, it may help someone 3. drives me beyond both talent and passion to a sense else with his or hers. I feel so hopeless in all of this, of purpose, whether I should continue on the Oblate path, do I have the 4. presents itself as a thorn in my heart at the sight of discipline to do the Office twice a day and read the Rule. another’s pain, I’m OK with the meditation practice, as I love to meditate, 5. lose all sense of time, God knows why! As I write this I’m sitting in a cemetery and 6. knowing I am doing what is authentic for me, feel a peace that is beyond understanding, I’m not seeking 7. it is good for my soul death, but at this moment I’m not afraid of it either. Bit The above has helped confirm for me that my desire to like when we meditate, to thy own self be true. become an Oblate is real. There is something in me that wants to be Oblate, I was As I have reread this I don’t feel that desire to become going to say it is my hearts desire but that is not right, an Oblate describes what I am feeling, and yet I hesitate to its beyond my heart and mind, it is in a place that I can’t say calling to become an Oblate as there is no way known describe. However, my mind comes into play and tells that God would call me! me that I am letting myself down in my quest everyday, So where does this leave me. Seriously, I’m just ignoring that I don’t have the discipline to make the mark. My my insecurities, my fears and doubts, my idea of my meditation practice is solid, I very rarely miss the mornings, unworthiness. To test my call, I was asked to imagine that the evenings are sporadic and when I’m tired, I’m half I stopped my Oblate journey; that I got off the train. I did asleep, or asleep. The Office is hard work at the moment. this for 30 seconds and felt a pang of loss and immediately I’m reading the psalms and the Bible but I’m struggling got back on the train. I don’t want to base tomorrow on to see God’s hand at work; the world is such a mess, my what I did yesterday and the day before and the day before family is struggling in all sorts of areas, I would love to be that. I’ve done that and it doesn’t give me contentment. doing something else for work, maybe aged care. I’m still I want to do things differently and knowing that God loves having a cigar before I go to bed, which I just don’t think me has made a huge difference in my life and has given me an Oblate should do and I could very easily acquire an the freedom to be different. Thank you Lord for the work expensive scotch habit. you have done in me and are continuing to do. I enjoy leading a group of like-minded people that are drawn to the practice of meditation. I meditate with a David Chauncy, Australia [email protected] Brahma Kumaris group on Sundays for an hour and it is absolutely beautiful. Even though my practice is different, the silence together makes a beautiful sound.

The meaning of the Christian teaching of the Incarnation is that the mystery of God in its eternal creativity is not only brought closer to us but really united to us. … Awakening to this reality is a possibility for each of us because it is an incarnate encounter. We are no longer isolated or dependent on our own inadequate resources. … The humility of the child Jesus is our guide and teacher. In his light we are conscious. In his love we have love. In his truth we are made truthful.

Monastery Without Walls: The Spiritual Letters of John Main, edited by Laurence Freeman OSB, p. 106

5 CONTEMPLATIVE MINDS FOR COMPASSIONATE CHRISTIAN ACTION

t would seem that becoming an Oblate has fired up my Organising training programme, THRIVE can help people do Isense of marrying my inner work through meditation with research on issues they bring for action, local issues they the outer social justice issues as exemplified by the two can do something to change by learning how to engage with doves on The WCCM logo. those in power in order to make positive changes in their I recently listened to the American Jesuit John Dear speak local communities. in York re Jesus’ total commitment to NON-VIOLENCE as By becoming ‘Awake’ to ourselves through meditation, the Way to effective change in society, and how this model we are much more able to rise up and be more confident to influenced others like Gandhi and Oscar Romero. He was a tackle the issues that are effecting us ‘out there’. Through very inspiring speaker and has been arrested on numerous inner healing and a growth in self awareness, our hearts occasions by challenging the US Government’s nuclear naturally respond through more compassionate action weapons programmes. John Dear reinforced my own belief to fight the good fight through a greater willingness and that Jesus calls us to emerge from within our personal courage to get engaged with the social justice issues around comfort zones and allow ourselves to be used by the Christ us. principle and to learn how to Trust where this process will I believe this echoes the encouragement we get from The take us. Rule of Benedict where we are reminded in Chapter 4: ‘You For me, the inner connection that we make through must relieve the lot of the poor, clothe the naked, visit the Christian Meditation, quite naturally emerges to outer sick. … Go to help the troubled and console the sorrowing. connection through social action and loving service and … and never lose hope in God’s mercy.’ because we are all different, this will manifest in various Good honest-to-God practical advice from St Benedict for ways. I do believe passionately that we ALL have a sphere a strong spiritual life that is lived out in our actions. of influence wherein we can effect positive change for the May God help us all grow in the awareness of God’s love greater good. So, by embracing the inner discipline of CM, for us in Christ Jesus. May we come to live more and more we inevitably will live out the Gospel message out in the fully in the power of the Holy Spirit so that we may give World. But it all starts by the daily practice of entering the glory to God our Father. May we allow ourselves to be used Silence. for the Greater Good. Teesside is one of the poorest parts of the UK. Still blighted by the effects of the decline of traditional Terry Doyle, UK [email protected] industries, the current recession and welfare reforms are hitting some families hard. A Community Organising enterprise called THRIVE is aiming to tackle the sense If our life is rooted in Christ, of powerlessness that people feel in a situation of rooted in his love generational poverty, by enabling people to take some and the conscious knowledge of his love, responsibility for themselves and their communities and to then we need have no anxiety be agents of change both personally and collectively. We aim to develop a programme that incorporates about regulating our action. both a Contemplative Inner Healing approach alongside Our action will always spring from a programme of Action through Community Organising. and be informed and shaped by that love. By teaching people living in poverty and stress Christian Indeed, the more active we are, Meditation, we can help build life skills to enable those who the more important it is that our action participate by improving their mental health and emotional springs from and is grounded in contemplation. resilience as well as helping them to connect with an inner And contemplation means deep, silent, communion; resource they may not have been aware of. This will help many to escape a sense of ‘victimhood’ as a result of their knowing who we are. particular circumstances, and help them develop a stronger Knowing who we are by being who we are. sense of themselves and their potential. That we are rooted and founded in Christ, Running alongside this is training people to become the Resurrection of God, aware of the structural and institutional aspects of poverty, is Christian self-knowledge. and taking personal and collective responsibility for doing something about it. By running a two day Community The Way of Unknowing, John Main OSB, p. 128 6 New Zealand Oblates Retreat 12—14 September, 2012

iving Springs, nestled in the Port Hills, Governors Bay, though it may be surprising or unexpected at times, LChristchurch, was the venue for our New Zealand annual reinforces our bonding on the path we share. In those National Oblate’s Retreat, September, 2012. three short days, I found myself thankful for the routine What better place, to ponder on the theme of of prayer, silence and meditation. I came to that place of humility, could our Christchurch hosts have found for our grace in just being. annual gathering. Awestruck and humble, we woke each We had three learning inputs on ‘Humility’. My first day to the magnificent view of green, bush-clad rolling hills thought was, how much more can we learn about humility? sweeping down to the blue waters of Governors Bay which But I found that there was, and is, and always will be, stretched past Port Lyttelton to the ocean in the distance. much, much more to learn, because the opposite of As a visitor to Christchurch I had chosen to come a day humility is arrogance. Aha! So did that thought alone reveal earlier to the retreat. I wanted to see first hand the effects the lack of humility in me? of the earthquakes on the city and its people. All I knew Hugh McLaughlin presented our first talk in which he was what I had seen on television, and I had no point of compared St Benedict’s Rule Chapter 7 on humility with

reference. What I saw and understood is that these people what it means in the 21st century. Humility is not a popular are living daily with a continual demolition of their city. word today he said, self-promotion is. Humility is about This means that the familiar buildings, shops, schools, being real, really Real, said Hugh, which reminds me of churches, are disappearing. I know about, and listen to, the the children’s story, the Velveteen Rabbit, a toy, who in the plans for rebuilding, but all that is left, in many instances, end, became Real, was loved deeply and became happy is flat, bare land, memories, and heartache. and wise. Hugh spoke about the first four Chapters of the I am sure that all of us, out of Christchurch, admire Rule of humility. It was good to revisit these, hear them the spirit of the people, and are very grateful to the expressed in different words I found, to remind me again Christchurch Oblate cell group for their diligence, that our spiritual growth is not linear, but a continual spiral preparation, kindness and hospitality in the finding of such of ‘falling down and getting up, and falling down…’ and so a venue in the midst of all their difficulties. on. We learn to live with injustices in our lives, to let go There were fifteen Oblates on the retreat, and we of self-satisfaction, to seek reconciliation. In doing this we welcomed our new Postulant, June Aslett from Wellington, become stronger, our ‘self’ becomes more free. For me, I as she took her first step on this journey. realise, that as I change, hopefully, I become more aware Our retreat was a blessing to each one of us in many of who God is. different ways. Once more I came to realise that coming For our second learning input, John Anstice spoke about together in this way, even though it may be brief, even ‘Humility and the God within’. John gave us a smorgasbord

7 of authors to delve into. I have since bought ‘Oblation’ A Our retreat, which we decided would be called ‘a Meditation on St Benedict’s Rule by Rachal M. Srubas, that gathering’, finished with a question and answer time, a he read from, and which I find profound, different, deeply time for saying goodbye, and a sense of looking forward to personal. John began with the Psalmists, citing those which where and when we would meet again. contain negatives, such as anger and commenting that there are certain things in life that we can be angry about. Janet Price, New Zealand [email protected] However, in the awareness of others when we forget self, humility dissipates anger. Question though, does repressing anger contribute to a sense of humility? How do we know God is within us? Is it by keeping the mind tranquil? Or becoming childlike? If God is within me, God is therefore not outside of me, says John, so therefore is this Oneness with God? And do we become part of God as we continue on our journey? The context of John’s talk took me deeper and deeper in thought bringing me to a place in which there were more questions than answers. Perhaps then that is part of what humility is, learning to live with the questions and accepting just what is. Anna Clare gave our third input, titled ‘Humility and the Ego’. She said the ego is a necessary component of our make-up. It is part of the mind that is responsible for the development of our sense of self. Humility is the act of being modest, reverent, politely submissive. It is not subservient, but calls to serve. It offers the complete freedom from the desire to impress, to be right or to get The birth of Christ set beneath an arch, Italian School, an engraving after Pompeo dell' Aquila, 1560-1600 ahead of others. Humility cannot be the aim, as that is contrary to what humility is. It is not abject grovelling. ‘Humility’ comes from the Latin ‘humilis’ low or lowly, the same root as ‘humus’, the soil or ground. It is sureness of The WCCM Oblate Blog being grounded in Christ. Humility has nothing to prove, it listens more, it shows patience, compassion, withholds enedictine oblates are guided daily by the Rule of St judgements, respects and promotes others. It requires BBenedict. In ‘Community of Love’ Fr John writes: ‘the courage, and requires commitment to Obedience and essence of the Rule [of St Benedict is] to strive for God and Stability. to make your spiritual journey the underpinning reality Each talk prompted much lively discussion from our of your life, finding its influence in everything you do, in Oblate group. As I ponder on these three offerings on everything you are.’ humility, what emerge are my questions to myself on how Fr Laurence encourages us to reflect on how the Rule I live today, and how I incorporate Benedict’s Rule into my of St Benedict is relevant to our own life situations and everyday life. The challenges are towards what do I engage to write one or two sentences each day about how our in, yet fully aware that meditation is my guiding leveller, openness to this ancient Rule, that has influenced people undergirded with lectio divina, the daily prayers, the for over 1500 years, forms and informs our approach to the Psalms, service to and with others in my community and way we live. with those others whom my life touches. I am glad that St Many oblates in our ‘monastery without walls’ have little Benedict mentions space for those who ‘fall down and get or no contact with other oblates on a regular basis. For up again, and again’. That gives me encouragement. Yet them a spiritual friend in the form of the recent initiative, the challenge of the ego is not so easily dealt with. It is not the ‘WCCM Oblate blog: Reflections from the daily reading like all the necessary data being fed into the computer and of the Rule of St Benedict’ could be that spiritual friend. coming out as the person I would like to be. Rather, it is a Using the blog is easy. You can access it on the www. long, slow, lifetime of working at it, with Christ at my side, wccm.org website, under the ‘Oblates’ tab, that links to who sees the potential in each one of us, and walks with us the ‘WCCM Oblate Blog’. By browsing the entries you will on the way. get a feel for how the blog works. Just before the retreat concluded the ‘Annual Renewal of Contact Mary Robison, the author and moderator of the Oblation’ was made by those who over the years made their blog with any questions or suggestions at: Final Oblation. [email protected]

8 IN LOVING MEMORY Sister Margaret In your room you sat in silence. Vale Sister Margaret Collier Twice a day you sat, eyes closed, body still, hands upon your lap. ur dear Sr Margaret, who was the oblate co-ordinator Ofor many years, went home to the Lord on Friday 13th No thoughts, no emotions. July at 5 pm. The church was full at her funeral. She was Just the simple, silent stillness of your quiet time greatly loved by all who met her. May she rest in peace. Her each day, every day. motto was ‘Let there be peace but let it start with me.’ Rowena O’Sullivan, Ireland People wondered what you did. Oblate Co-ordinator Why spend that time doing nothing, eyes closed, Sitting still?

A gifted lady you brought such joy. You loved so well you spoke so well you nourished all you loved.

Why waste your time in simple silence when you could be out there – ‘Doing Things?’ But when you finished, eyes opened, mind alert, we knew you did not spend your time in wasted space.

We knew that you had been into Sr Margaret (far right) visiting Aras an Uachtarain in 2007 that private room to pray to Him there, in that secret place.

And then we understood JOHN MAIN SEMINAR the love you gave , the joy Hong Kong, 2013 we felt to be with you, dear friend.

You’ve left us now. You’re in that sacred space where time has no beginning and where there is no end.

Fergal McLoughlin

argaret’s influence was immense, not just in Ireland Mbut also internationally where she was loved and respected by all she met. Desert Wisdom & Oriental Spirituality: We had the good fortune in Ireland of meeting her Inner Silence regularly, at meetings, conferences and retreats, many of led by Fr Joseph Wong OSB which she organised herself. Each of us carries our own 20 – 22 September unique experience of her presence, in the way she helped, advised, loved, cajoled and prayed for us. We will miss her Silent Retreat encouragement, her support, her care - not to mention led by Fr Laurence Freeman OSB those wonderful little scribbled notes she sent on the back 16 – 19 September of letters and envelopes! We will miss her sadly but we are grateful for all she Lina Lee and the Hong Kong meditation community brought to us. invite you to Hong Kong: Fergal McLoughlin, Ireland www.youtube.com/watch?v=gq5-CVgMTfg&feature=youtu.be [email protected]

9 Let’s Begin Meditating with my children

began to practice Christian Meditation twice a day in the me that meditating reminds her of a slide. She said that I fall of 2003 when my daughter Maura was seven and my breathing in is like walking up the ladder, then there is a son Brian was four, one year prior to our daughter Sophia brief pause (in the breath) at the top of the ladder, and being born. As a father of young children, I was learning breathing out is like sliding down the ladder. to integrate this new practice into the routine of family We sometimes meditate together as a family before life. Fitting in morning meditation was easy; I just woke up meals and tonight we agreed to meditate together for 10 earlier than the rest of the family. However, finding time minutes after our Sunday evening meals. I suggested that to meditate in the evening was a little more challenging. we just get up from the table and slide into the other Brian was in daycare at the time, and the naps during the room to meditate. Sophia smiled when she heard the word day were keeping him up later at night. I decided to try ‘slide’. to meditate with him and Maura, with whom he shared a Timothy Kelly, USA room, in order to quiet them down and help them to go to [email protected] sleep. I gave them simple instructions on how to meditate and suggested they use either Abba, Jesus, or Maranatha as a mantra. I sat on the end of one of their beds and started We are all one in God. by saying a brief prayer or Examen. Most of the time, they And that is why quickly fell asleep while saying their prayer word and I then continued until 30 minutes was up. Sometimes, however, we must love one another Brian would remain awake throughout the meditation. I and be open then had to change my strategy for getting him to sleep. to one another’s love. Once our youngest daughter, Sophia, was old enough to Door to Silence, John Main OSB, p. 78 sleep in a bed, I included her in the evening meditation. Over the years, the bedroom arrangements and bed times have changed for each child. In fact, Maura, the oldest, often stays up later than I do to complete her homework. So, I now take turns meditating with the two youngest. When it is time for bed, one of them will inevitably ask me to meditate on their bed. We recite a brief night prayer. I say, ‘Oh God, come to my assistance’, and they reply, ‘Oh Lord, make haste to help me.’ I continue, ‘Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit’. They respond, ‘as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be world without end, amen.’ We’ve added a couple more brief prayers, reciting them in the same way, ‘Into your hands Lord’, ‘I commend my spirit’ and ‘Jesus’, ‘I trust in you’. Brian learned this last prayer from his religion teacher. I usually make the sign of the Cross on their foreheads as I recite a verse from Isaiah, ‘You are precious in my eyes and I love you’. They reply, ‘I love you too’. Finally, when it is time to meditate, I simply say ‘Let’s begin’. Each of them has come to see meditation as an inner prayer resource they can practice at other times during their day. For example, Maura and Brian will meditate briefly when preparing for an exam or during quiet times at school. Sophia uses her mantra to calm herself down Three Kings, wood engraving by Eric Gill, 1916 when she gets frustrated with classmates. She recently told

10 Novice oblation Novice oblation Makassar, South Sulawesi, Indonesia Meditatio House, London

ust before mass today at Meditatio House, London, the Jfirst Sunday of Advent, Lucy Beck was received as a novice oblate. Lucy is from Vermont, USA and is spending three months in the London Community where she has been especially involved in the move of The WCCM International Centre to Meditatio House, as well as in the daily life and work of the resident community.

L to R Saralee Turner, Vero Gunawan, Handoyo Gazali

n Friday evening, September 28th the Makassar Omeditation community met to meditate at Church Cathedral, Makassar, South Sulawesi, Indonesia. Following meditation, Bernadette Veronika Gunawan (Vero) made her novice oblation with the community witnessing her intention to live her life according to the Rule. It was a blessed event and many pictures were taken of the smiling friends, including Fr Paulus who welcomed all.

Back row (L-R): Mathias Beisswenger, Fr Laurence Freeman, Michael Rathbone, Stefan Reynolds; Front row (L-R): Lucy Beck, Henriette Hollaar

Saralee Turner, mentor to Handoyo and Vero travelled from her home in Singapore to Indonesia to meet with them over the weekend and received Vero’s novice oblation on behalf of the community.

Out of the pure attention of [meditation] comes the continuous mindfulness of a Christian consciousness throughout every activity of the day. However trivial or ephemeral, every minute and action has meaning and sacredness because in that moment and through that act the Divine communion reveals itself.

Light Within, Laurence Freeman OSB, pp. 105-106 The Virgin and Child, a study for the Madonna di Foligno, Raphael, 1498-1520

11 Introduction to Christian Meditation A TALK GIVEN AT an Essential Teaching Weekend (ETW)

n my wall is a self portrait of Raphael staring out from Although I still feel a complete novice, and indeed we Oa crowd. At first, his delicate intelligent face seems to are every time we sit down to meditate it does seem to be be looking at me, then I became aware that he’s not really developing my capacity for attention. looking at me but behind me at something larger than me. Attention is useful in so many areas of life. It gives us For me this painting symbolises not only the artist but the ability to listen to the person talking to us, to listen for meditation. their emotion as well as their content, without at the same This to me, is the deliberate cultivation of attention, time holding our own internal conversation. When we do leading to the awareness of the infinite behind the speak, the words we say are likely to have more weight for everyday. John Main OSB has described God as being they come from attention and silence. complete unwavering attention. This is in contrast to our Timothy Radcliffe OP, (Dominican Friar and Author) tells flickering efforts. the story of an able and well regarded Scottish man who Christian Meditation, which entails repeating a mantra had a severe stroke and was subsequently only able to say a with the fullest possible attention for twenty to thirty word at a time. But the words he did say were so pertinent minutes twice daily, is a discipline which aims to open the that people would travel for hundreds of kilometres for an individual to God. It is a way, as other religions have also audience with him. Following Fr Timothy’s election as World found, of getting past the ego, the busyness of everyday Wide Master of the Dominicans in 1992 he went to visit him. life and being still and listening to God. Christ himself, in The word he had for him was ‘courage’. the parable of Mary and Martha pointed out that Mary’s Because we are attentive to the present moment we listening was more important than Martha’s bustle, and it can savour our food, rejoice in the natural environment, would not be taken away from her. become aware of the smells, the sounds around us. It is only when we begin that we realise we are not used Increasingly I have moments where I feel I am really alive. to giving our full attention to anything for more than a I suddenly realise how green the trees around me are, how couple of minutes, and we realise how difficult it is. Twenty lovely the sun on their leaves, the shapes of the clouds, minutes seems completely impossible. Indeed it usually is their drift above. There is more poetry in my life. impossible, our brain is so often like a box of monkeys, but We are also better able to concentrate on the task with perseverance, by gently and persistently returning to before us. Sometimes I’ve been involved in a situation or the mantra, it is possible to breast the twenty minutes. creative task where I have had no idea what to do, or what The mantra that is recommended, Ma-ra-na-tha which to expect next and miraculously it’s seemed to me, the means ‘Come Lord Jesus’ is Aramaic and was chosen by solution, the avenue has appeared. John Main as being a holy phrase in the language Jesus Through all this I’m hoping that as my ego becomes less spoke. Being unfamiliar to modern ears people are not important, the spirit will grow within me. This is liberating diverted by its content. because we don’t care so much how we are seen, or what The point is to concentrate on the four equal syllables happens to us. The spirit is much larger, so much more themselves. important than we are. But as with everything, we waiver, John Main says that initially we are saying the mantra, we make mistakes, and some days are better than others. then over time the mantra seems to be coming from our Father Laurence Freeman OSB, the Director of The World heart, and finally after much practice we find that we Community of Christian Meditation, is very encouraging are listening to it, For this we have to be very still and about this. He says God doesn’t expect us to succeed, but attentive. Posture is important, and it is recommended that he does expect us to try. we sit comfortably, either on a mat, chair, or prayer stool Becoming a Christian Meditator does not mean that we with our back and head straight, hands on our lap. This will not experience painful and difficult events. But it does isn’t an easy practice, in fact John Main called it work, but provide a way of living through them, a way of acceptance with perseverance its fruits and gifts become manifest in and learning from them. It’s the old adage of a glass which many areas of life. can be seen as a glass half empty, or a glass half full. I have been saying the mantra for over a year now and Through all this, as Christians our example is Christ, who one of my best friends has noted that I am more patient, knowing he was going to die on the morrow held a feast for I have better relationships with a wider variety of people, his friends. This has become for us ‘The Eucharist’. and that I am not so future orientated. Margaret Atkin, Australia [email protected]

12 Annual Oblate SILENT Retreat, CANADA

n May 18th, 18 oblates and meditators from Quebec, OOntario and Nova Scotia met for their silent retreat at the Cistercian Abbey in Rougemont Quebec. The annual MONTE OLIVETO event was organized by Magda Jass and led by Polly silent meditation RETREAT Schofield, National WCCM Oblate Coordinator for Canada. Sienna, Italy The rural beauty of the Abbaye Notre-Dame-de-Nazareth nestled in the apple country of Southern Quebec provided a sense of profound peace so necessary for a silent retreat. The Gregorian chant of the monks during the Divine Office became a high point in our daily routine. And we were blessed with excellent accommodations, fine weather and good food which included apple cider made by the monks from apples from their own orchard. Our weekend provided the opportunity to meditate in community, always a meaningful experience, and to receive John Main’s teachings from our retreat leader, Polly Schofield, Archivist for the John Main Collection and THE CAVE OF THE HEART a close personal friend. Her love, warmth and respect for led by Fr John could be felt throughout the retreat bringing to life Fr Laurence Freeman OSB the teachings presented. Polly encouraged us by saying, Saturday 22 —Saturday 29 June ‘Fr John was anchored in reality, in supreme goodness. The passion of his inner experience, with all its urgency, was communicated in his writings.’ She reminded us that his great gift to us is the universal teaching of Christian meditation which he passed on to us with the authority of his personal experience convinced that meditation is the way into universal communion—Love.

Sent by Polly Schofield, Canada [email protected]

Further information [email protected] or +44 208 579 4466

Hearing and seeing with the mind is inadequate. We have to hear and see also with the heart. Meditation is the work of opening the eye and the ear of the heart. Work takes time. It requires stability. It asks for faith. It demands courage. The birth of Christ Contemporary icon in the Byzantine tradition Light Within, Laurence Freeman OSB, p. 103

13 The World Community for Christian Meditation A Monastery without Walls

lay people from different Christian traditions who feel called to practise meditation supported by a Christian community and the teaching on silent contemplative prayer that is part of the Christian heritage. The calling of this community is to follow Christ’s prayer that ‘all may be one’. In serving the unity of all, the community is open to learn from many teachers and wisdom traditions as shown in the annual ‘John Main Seminar’ where a guest speaker is invited to give a ‘word’. The charism of the community is to practise twice daily meditation and to help people to build up and deepen that practice through local meditation groups, reading, visual and audio resources, national and international retreats and, more recently, the ‘Meditatio’ outreach which looks at the value of meditation practice in a variety of contemporary contexts. Of course the extent to which one identifies with have always wondered whether the term ‘monastery the monastic tradition is optional and unique to each I without walls’ referred to The WCCM as a whole or practitioner. The practice of Christian meditation that John specifically to the Oblate Community. As a community of Main rediscovered in his own life and presented in a way contemplatives—some priests but mostly lay people—The that has resonated with so many people around the world WCCM has similarities to the type of community envisioned goes back to a pre-monastic tradition. Jesus’ own witness by St Benedict in his Rule. As such, as a whole, it has been of silence, stillness and simplicity in prayer may have had called ‘a monastery without walls’. This idea goes back parallels with the Essenes but its openness to all and lack to John Main who wrote a spiritual letter quarterly to the of concern for purity rules makes it hard to think of Jesus community that was forming through meditation groups. as a monk in that tradition. Outside that there was, nor is, These letters—now published as ‘Monastery without Walls: any ‘monastic’ tradition in Judaism. The practice that Jesus The Spiritual Letters of John Main’—spoke of the wisdom taught was to become aware of the loving source of our and relevance of the Christian monastic tradition and its life, of the God in whom ‘we live and move and have our openness to adaptability in the modern world. Many people being’ (Acts 17:28). This Apostolic teaching on prayer goes who practise meditation follow John Main’s teaching but do back of course to the earlier Jewish practice expressed not feel particularly identified with a monastic vocation. A in Psalm 46:10 ‘Be Still and Know that I am God.’ In the few of my meditator friends, faithful to the practice, don’t persecuted early Christian community prayer would always particularly see themselves as part of a monastery with or have that element of hiddenness and personal sincerity. without walls. When the same Church became the official religion of the There is of course within the wider community a Roman Empire external forms of religiosity came more to community of Oblates who are more explicitly inspired the fore. It was here in the 4th and 5th centuries that the and called by a monastic identity as lay people. An Oblate monastic movement as such began within Christianity, as a community soon formed around John Main’s teaching, concerted effort to keep alive the practice of prayer in a originally closely linked to the monastery in Montreal, wholly sincere relation to God as the source of one’s being. finding its identity as lay people reflecting on the Rule of Certainly The WCCM is monastic in that at least a large St Benedict and the wisdom of the desert in the light of part of the inspiration of its foundation and its continuing their meditation practice. John Main always believed that teaching charism comes from the monastic tradition. It has the potential of monastic Oblates would be realised in the its root in the teaching of a Benedictine monk, John Main, understanding that they were not a monastery support who drew much from the ancient monastic teaching on group but were monastics themselves, living in the world, prayer. The WCCM was founded in 1991 in dialogue with the often married, many with children and other demanding Benedictine monk Bede Griffiths, and the director of the jobs. community, and its main teacher continues to be another In what sense however is all of The WCCM in some sense Benedictine monk, Laurence Freeman. There is also the monastic? The WCCM is a global community of mostly presence of the Oblate Community started by John Main 14 which could be seen as a focused expression of The WCCM were identified went on the defensive and the aggressive as a ‘Monastery without Walls’. At the same time however and often ceased to listen to that ‘still small voice’ in John Main always said the essence of monastic spirituality which God’s presence can be heard (1 Kings 19:12). is distilled in the meditation practice; the loving, stable, Today however it is possible to give a more positive and committed, life–transforming path of the single word. So all less dreamy evocation of a monastery without walls. A practitioners of Christian meditation can be seen as part of community that is rooted in the purest practice of the this ‘monastery without walls’. monastic culture, and yet is not ‘separated’ from the The stability is in the practice, not so much in a place world, nor admitting its adherents on any rigid ground of (though meditation groups all around the world root doctrinal belief but open to all who genuinely seek God as the practice in local communities). ‘Without walls’ also truth and love and who know that it is only by purifying the means that this new form of community inspired by heart that God can be seen. monastic spirituality is not on the defensive from the ‘A Monastery without Walls’ has the benefit of not getting outside world. Admittedly most members feel the need too bogged down with concern about structures. Religion to go on ‘retreat’ from time to time, to get away from serves the human being and their flourishing, not visa versa. the pressures and distractions of daily life to focus on the All pilgrims have to let go when necessary of their securities silence, on God. However in an equal way the commitment to discover that they are being held by God. There are no of the community is to teach meditation and to dialogue construction costs, house insurance, utility bills or alarm its relevance and benefits in many of the professions, systems necessary to keep small local meditation groups services and economic structures of contemporary society. meeting in homes, parish halls and churches going. The ‘Meditatio’ is the outreach program of The WCCM, showing focus can be kept on the value of the practice and the that monastic spirituality is not just about ‘retreat’ but practitioners. A monastery is not a building but is a group also about ‘advance’. One has only to remember how of people dedicated to God and to each other. Some might Benedictine monasticism played the major part in lifting say that God can be seen more clearly in a monastery western civilisation out of the ‘Dark Ages’ created from without walls, though in my experience actually physical the fall of the Roman Empire. Monasticism has not only monasteries help keep God in focus (maybe that is why transformed individuals but also society. going on retreat is so important). We need desperately in ‘Without walls’ also means without the divisions that this modern world to develop a contemplative awareness, religious identities often even today form themselves the vision of God has no boundaries between cloister and around. The community is an ecumenical community world, between orthodox and unorthodox or between men with a strong openness to interfaith participation. As St and women (separated as they are in traditional monastic Benedict says in his Rule the one criteria for membership communities). There are practical reasons for boundaries of the community is whether ‘they truly seek God’. It is but as John Main said monastic life is always in a sense an difficult to meditate for the sake of appearances, as most adventure into the unknown. of the time it is a solitary practice. In that sense it is a In this sense it must be part of the charism of The sincere form of prayer, and the motivation of anyone who WCCM that the monastic wisdom it draws from and shares practises it for any length of time is purified. Though we is not limited to those who see themselves as Oblates. may start for many and varied reasons, the experience of It is something shared by everyone. By the symbiosis of those who stick to the path is that they no longer meditate community all meditators share in a monastic inspired for the sake of themselves but for the sake of something spiritual practice just as all Oblates are meditators. The greater than themselves. Sincere prayer is something that only criteria for entry to this ‘monastery’ is, as St Benedict crosses all religious boundaries. A monastery without walls says, whether we do truly seek God. Meditating daily shows recognises that faith is the capacity of the human person that commitment. Though we may be very distracted by for self-transcendence. It is also the capacity for religions the ‘everything else’ of life, morning and evening we align to know—as the Zen saying puts it—that they are fingers ourselves with the compass of the mantra which points to pointing to the moon. God’s Kingdom. That Kingdom, as Jesus showed, is itself In England there are many ruined monasteries, tragically without walls, ‘everything else’ is contained in it as well. ‘dissolved’ at the beginning of the modern era. If one visits Everything belongs for those who know to whom they a place like ‘Fountains’ or ‘Rievaulx’ Abbey in Yorkshire, belong. The saying of the prayer word or mantra every ‘Walsingham’ in Norfolk, ‘Glastonbury’ in Somerset or morning and evening for half an hour can help to remove ‘Tintern’ in Wales, one is struck by the beauty of the places the obstacles of our vision, tear down the walls, so that, which is sometimes even more striking—certainly more as William Blake put it, ‘we may see everything as it really romantic—in their half-ruined state. With the passing of the is—infinite’. monasteries the teaching of Christian contemplative prayer Stefan Reynolds, UK was lost. Even the Church with whom the monasteries [email protected]

15 BOOK CORNER Three books from the Meditatio Series Published by Convivium Press Experiencing God in a Time of Crisis The Goal of Life Sarah Bachelard Laurence Freeman OSB

There are critical times in our lives, Father Laurence Freeman shares moments of profound loss, grief insights into understanding Jesus and fear in which our frameworks in order to better understand of sense seem to collapse and ourselves. He teaches that the no longer enable us to convey goal of life is to know fully who we meaning to overwhelming events are, and that self-transcendence is or even to life itself. In this work the way to self-knowledge. In this Sarah Bachelard suggests that state, the centre of consciousness the practice of meditation and no longer resides in the ego. contemplative living may help us Individual identity is not lost but it endure and integrate such turning-point experiences, and is transcended. The practice of meditation harmonises and bring our life and identity into a deeper wholeness. Crisis, integrates in the spirit all that we think and feel and say Bachelard indicates, may be seen as a call or opportunity and do. Meditation, the simplifying practice of silence and to genuinely encounter the reality of God. The journey stillness, inaugurates a whole new way of being. It is a way is painful and involves letting go of our old ways to enter of life. the unknown realm of poverty of spirit, but it also offers Fr Laurence provides a guide into a Christian way of us the possibility of going back into the world free and meditation, simple and capable of being practised by all, courageous, with a new sense of being alive, and with a that is found in the teachings of the first Christian monks. radically deepened capacity to be with and to love other Readers of The Goal of Life will learn how this dramatic human beings. rediscovery of Christian meditation has deepened the way Why Are We Here? many can understand their Christian identity. Laurence Freeman, OSB

In this work Fr Laurence Freeman examines the radical question of NATIONAL OBLATE CO-ORDINATORS our being in the world. We are here, USA: Mary Robison, [email protected] he reflects, to come to continuous prayer, to a constant openness to UK: Eileen Dutt, [email protected] the prayer of Christ in our hearts. NEW ZEALAND: Hugh McLaughlin, [email protected] Continuous prayer, he says, must not be understood as saying prayers ITALY: Giovanni Foffano, [email protected] all the time but as the living in IRELAND: Rowena O’Sullivan, [email protected] a childlike state of simplicity, in which our ego concerns are left behind, opening the way to CANADA: Polly Schofield, [email protected] interior silence, communion with God, and greater power BRAZIL: Marcelo Melgares, [email protected] of attention to others. Fr Laurence examines the teachings AUSTRALIA and INTERNATIONAL: Trish Panton, of John Cassian to show that meditation, with the aid of [email protected] the ancient Christian tradition of the continuous saying of a mantra, is a path and a discipline to reach this state of simplicity and poverty of spirit of pure prayer called for by VIA VITAE, No. 16, December 2012 the Lord. Along these lines, Fr Laurence also examines the EDITOR: Trish Panton contemplative awakening that is taking place throughout PO Box 555 the church fostered in great part by the works of Merton Pennant Hills, NSW Australia 1715 and, especially, Fr John Main, who gave a specific teaching Tel: +61 2 9489 1780 on how to enter the contemplative dimension of prayer Mobile: +61 409 941 605 Email: [email protected] and planted the seed for today’s growing community of Christian meditation in the world. GRAPHIC DESIGN: Alexandra Irini, Australia