Meditatio Newsletter - december 2013 1

Registered Charity No. 327173 - I N T E R N AT I O N A L E D I T I O N , Vol. 37, No 4; December 2013 Christian Meditation in Asia John Main Seminar with over 400 participants in , the new Meditation Centre in Indonesia and a day of interfaith dialogue in Malaysia

John Main Seminar in Hong Kong

Christian Meditation Centre, Indonesia Interfaith Dialogue, Malaysia 2Laurence Freeman 9 News 11Infocus The human birth of wisdom Breaking the Cycle of David Rees writes about in the Christmas Story and the Violence: a Meditatio his pilgrimage into silence training of minds and hearts Seminar in Mexico and stillness

This issue This through meditation 2 Meditatio Newsletter - december 2013

A letter from Laurence Freeman, OSB

Whenever wisdom guides us it tion not on any impending fear or his often now interrupted in their trans- takes us to an encounter at the heart own sense of loss. His compassion and mission, that capture our imagination of reality. At first the way it leads us can his wisdom both flow from the same and emotions. The family seeking shel- seems a bit off-centre, not what we ex- source and merge in the sharpness ter. A baby born in an animal feeding pected and yet strangely recognizable and generosity of his careful words. trough. Three exotic visitors. Angels. just for being so true and balanced. In Unexpectedly, too, he replies not with Shepherds. A silent mother and pro- this way we see how wisdom is more the sententious moralising that his dis- tective father. Emigration to a safer than common sense. We invariably ciples may even have piously wanted. country. These symbols come together meet this distinction in the wisdom of Instead, he speaks from experience – as a story that bears constant re-tell- the desert monks whose spiritual de- all the more authoritatively because ing and pondering. But at its heart is scendants we are. it was personal experience but experi- this undisputed joy that accompanies When Abba Romanus was dying ence of what he had shared with them birth even in the most difficult circum- his disciples gathered round him and over a lifetime. It was practical wis- stances, and even if only for a moment asked, ‘how should we conduct our- dom, first-hand not remembered from before the cares and fears of life return. selves?’ Its natural enough to want to books or articles. It was personal not With each new life hope is reborn and extract wisdom from those whom we egocentric. And it gave them pause for the world is changed. see to possess it, in the same way that thought and something to think long The Magi came to do homage, lay- thirsty people will squeeze water from ing down their millennia of accumu- a likely source. What were they asking? If you cannot read the lated wisdom before the Word be- Were they saying ‘what are we going to self-authenticating truth come flesh. They did not ask advice, as do when you, our teacher, have gone?’ in a new-born child’s Romanus’ disciples did of their dying Or simply ‘give us some tips we can say master. If you cannot read the self- we got from you as your last words?’ presence there is no point authenticating truth in a new-born Until the heart is truly opened beyond in asking questions about child’s presence there is no point in the grasping of the ego, there is always asking questions about its meaning. some self-centredness in the ques- its meaning. The shepherds, like Mary and Joseph tions of a disciple and even in his way and deeply about – how to avoid the before, were disturbed and scared, by of serving his teacher. great temptation and pitfall of the ide- the own special annunciation from The dying abba’s reply is a mas- alistic mind - sadness and resentment the angel that a momentous event ter’s shrewd and gentle response to at failure. had occurred so near them. They were the mixed motives of his disciples: it * marginal people, untouchable, ex- succeeds in meeting the questioners When a child is safely brought into cluded from normal society. Why, in all where they are at but without com- the world, after months of tests and the lopsidedness of wisdom, should promising his own integrity. Jesus re- the parental struggle with fears that they be the first to hear the news that plied to all tricky questions in this way. can never be rationalised away, there would for the rest of time penetrate Romanus says simply (and at first sight erupts a very rare kind of joy. A joy that the minds, hearts and social organiza- in an off-centre way): ‘I do not think is entirely contained in the event. Yet it tion of the ‘whole people’? that I have ever told one of you to do is without – as yet – any possessiveness * something without having first made or any projection of hopes born from So the Christmas story, in its charm the decision not to get angry if what our own failures onto the new life that and terror, enters the memory of the I have said were not done. And so we has so far known only success, having human race. If we find it dull or dead have lived in peace all our days.’ simply succeeded in being born. This we are reading it with dead eyes, as The brilliance of his mind and the primal joy of new life is at the heart of a past event or as a relic of a dying gentleness of his wisdom here is worth the Christmas story. religion. The connection with the in- reflecting on. We see, even on his Religion is more concerned with terior birth of wisdom has been lost. deathbed, how clear, fresh and calm symbols than dogma. And so, in the The story touches awake the deepest is his mind. His reply is focused on Christmas season it is a set of symbols, concerns and hopes embedded in the those who are asking him the ques- passed down the centuries though human mind. Listening to it clarifies Meditatio Newsletter - december 2013 3

the mind and releases its twin rivers of a new era of human self-awareness it ized by a variety of scientific approach- wisdom and compassion. From his first is that so many people now are seek- es. The most prominent of these came silence Jesus awakens us to the mean- ing out the training that meditation in the cultural revolution of the sixties ing of this simple, irreducible human- once offered to a few. We also know with Transcendental Meditation – from ness. that children, at their own level of the Hindu tradition ‘secularized’ and As Romanus taught in his last words, awareness, can and like to meditate. In given a kind of scientific explanation. becoming (truly) human is a life-time’s Sydney a few weeks ago I listened to Most recently, Mindfulness Training, as training. This is the essential meaning Cardinal Pell, one of the Francis’s pioneered by Jon Kabat-Zing and oth- of our lives, just to be wholly human. inner group of reforming Cardinals, ers has brought ‘meditation’ into the Within it, though, there are many other speak to a large gathering of teach- institutional mainstream with medi- kinds of training we do – learning to walk and talk, to read and write and pass exams, to handle emotions and desires, to make and repair commit- ments and to play our multi-faceted role in life with changing job descrip- tions. All these secondary trainings en- hance or improve us. We need all the help we can get to master these train- ings. But the essential training is not to improve but simply to be our selves. Isn’t this why the story of Jesus begins with seeing him as a baby that can do nothing except be himself. The paradox is that this symbol of a totally dependent and helpless infant eventually becomes the great meta- phor of human maturity at its peak. ‘Unless you become like a little child, you will never enter the kingdom of God.’ This doesn’t mean what it says – remain dependent and helpless. Yet it ers that he had invited me to speak to cal and commercial credibility. As TM means exactly what it says. about meditation. He was urging them secularized dhyana Hindu meditation, This becomes absurdly and obvi- to build meditation integrally into the Mindfulness secularized sattipatthana ously clear as soon as we have begun children’s education. A few days later one of the Buddha’s eightfold path. to develop the training of the mind, he did the same talking with a group Many would say Buddhism needs less including the heart, that we call medi- of his priests about clerical spiritual- ‘secularisation’ than other religions be- tation. This used to be seen as a high- ity. The contemplative dimension of cause it has a fundamentally rationalis- level, late-entry practice for a few peo- religion was clearly back, at least in his tic basis and is therefore already closer ple who had preserved the necessary vision, at the centre of the church’s life. to the spirit of the western scientific passion for truth and freedom of will And when this happens, when the off- method. In both these movements re- to embrace it. The mainline Church centredness of wisdom is rebalanced, ligious wisdom is kept outside the evi- thought contemplation was reserved everything looks different, clearer and dence-based results of the technique. for these chosen few. And even today more hopeful. For many people, especially West- many spiritual teachers in Asia believe * erners distrustful of ‘mainline religion’ that meditation is not really meant for Although meditation was born and but also for many religious people un- lay people. is embedded in the spiritual wisdom acquainted with their own contempla- If there is a sign that we are entering traditions, it has recently been popular- tive spirituality, these secular-scientific 4 Meditatio Newsletter - december 2013

forms of meditation have been wel- many whom the churches were not dha. It was also addressed by Jesus – come. In both TM and Mindfulness the able to reach. They accessed ancient ‘stay awake, be alert, pray at all times, approach is presented as a technique spiritual wisdom and packaged it bril- set your mind on God’s presence be- that is kept quite distinct from a spiri- liantly in secular ways in order to help fore everything else’. It begins with tual or religious interpretation and is those suffering from the extremes of simple attention to the immediate ex- motivated by the desire for (measur- the imbalances of modern culture. Re- periences, both physical and mental able) individual well-being, especially search results have also shown how – rather than to the opinions or sym- for those suffering from stress or other real are the psychological and physi- bolism we later construct from them. psychological disorders. Both have sig- cal benefits. For the Christian this il- In a chronically distracted culture like nificantly contributed to the relief of lustrates, rather than explains away, our own this simple first step – being suffering and to the sum total of human the sacrament of the body. But what present to ourselves – may seem like happiness. They have also significantly happens when the imbalance of life a mighty or esoteric leap. But even if it influenced the profiles of religion and has been redressed and a new mea- is harder for us now than in the past, it the meaning of spirituality in our time. sure of peace and well-being, indeed a is still simple. Once achieved it quickly Not least, they have challenged reli- new dimension to one’s humanity, has introduces us into a new series of steps gious leaders to examine the shortfall been revealed? It is here on the fron- that lead to the progressive expansion in their own churches’ spiritual depth tier of science that the measuring tools of attention beyond the self-centering and accessibility. Why, with the help yield to the pilgrim’s staff. Meditation, gravity of the ego. This is where medi- of such ‘secular’ movements, have so however it was first understood, may tation becomes not only therapeutic many felt it enough to see themselves now evolve from a technique for well- but wondrous. as ‘spiritual not religious’? being into a spiritual path towards that This elementary power of attention In a few years, according to the es- has enormous potential to liberate us timate of their bishops, two-thirds of If there is a sign that we from old patterns and return us to the Dutch Catholic churches will be closed. are entering a new era of direct awareness of a child. For reli- Yet, meditation is not a band-wagon gious people it gives new meaning to to jump onto in institutional despera- human self-awareness, prayer – this was the discovery of the tion; and there is no guarantee that the it is that so many people desert teachers. It also rejuvenates the teaching of meditation in the churches understanding of the scriptures, which will reduce the numerical decline of now are seeking out the speak about God in terms of real pres- these bodies. New forms of Church training that meditation ence and direct experience rather than and worship are already emerging. The through thick conceptual or cultural most famous theologian of the 20th once offered to a few. filters. century, Karl Rahner, said that the ‘de- fullness of human experience that is * vout Christian of the future will be a reached only through the transcen- As all dialogue shows, the differ- mystic or there will be no such thing’. dence of the ‘objectifying mind’ and its ences are as important as the similari- The obvious mistake for the Christian ego-consciousness. ties. Teaching meditation as a spiritual world would be to turn meditation, Science itself now points to this practice, we are urged to move beyond taught from its own spiritual tradition, new frontier. We know that atoms are the ‘observing’, self-investigating, curi- into a technique designed to save the not solid, that matter and energy are ous self and to take the searchlight of Church. Its meaning is the saving of inter-changeable and that what we consciousness off ourselves in pure at- the world from its obsession with tech- call permanence is a trick of the eye or tention (‘worship in spirit and in truth’). no-science. One significant difference a self-delusion. The question of con- In Mindfulness, for example, a variety is that if it is taught from its original sciousness, of ‘mind’ as distinct from of techniques are presented. In medi- spiritual context it will be presented as brain function, is now a central ques- tation in a Christian tradition the differ- a discipline rather than as a technique. tion of science. When we say in the ent forms of prayer are an accessible Techniques may lead to disciplines. modern tone of voice ‘what I think is..’, and rich context for spiritual practice; Disciplines are meant to lead to free- or ‘it seems to me’ we are required to but the central simplicity and persever- dom from the ego. ask who or what is the I or the me in ance in the contemplative discipline * those statements. taught is foundational. Certain Mind- TM and Mindfulness have helped Mindfulness was taught by the Bud- fulness practices can no doubt be in- Meditatio Newsletter - december 2013 5

cluded in the spiritual life of the Chris- into the equation, as the Christian doc- all Christians. We then discern what are tian meditator. In Christian meditation trine of grace well understands Or as good, conscious habits and what are the emphasis on a sustained period of Confucius did, who said ‘our greatest bad, subliminally driven habits. When silence in the practice is fundamental, glory is not in never falling but in rising habits are reviewed honestly we see as is the faithful attention to a primary every time we fall’. new patterns emerging as signs of the nature of the reality that we are growing in and also passing through. Wisdom then comes with this new perspective; and the ‘hope for the sal- vation of the world lies in the greatest number of wise people’. So a curious meeting takes place now between the different channels by which the wisdom of meditation is exchanged. The gulf between the religious and the secular is double- bridged. The secular approach to meditation leads to levels of experi- ence that awaken the spiritual sense. The spiritual approach to meditation becomes accessible to the secular world whose fear or antipathy to reli- gion has been reduced. Provided there is no competition and much good will, there will be no winners and no losers in this evolution of contemporary spiri- tuality and science. * discipline that serves progressively * As the Church and society at large to take us beyond thought and self- Experience is experience however, becomes more mindful - and so more consciousness (in our case, attention wherever we find it. Experience – the contemplative – the old stories by to the mantra). Above all there is the capacity for direct and immediate per- which humanity has expressed its fur- mysterious evidence that meditation ception of reality through enhanced at- thest vision will revive their power to creates community; and that this com- tention – is always part of a continuum. teach and guide us all. The shepherds munity then becomes the company in Experience produces personality and and the wise men on long journeys, whose friendship the personal journey forms character. Ultimately it makes the homeless saviour and the silent goes further and deeper over time. culture. So when culture goes wrong parents pondering this vast meaning What seems like a means to an end at – and we have seen many examples in their hearts will bring the inaccessi- the beginning – the group – evolves of that in modern history and today – ble mystery into concrete experience. into a heart-opening manifestation of only a return to purer consciousness, And we will look on each other with the goal itself. deeper attention, on a large scale will new eyes as we see whose Mind it is Meditation as a discipline of a spiri- put it right. We need to emphasise we all possess. tual path may seem to be more de- what was once taken for granted in May the New Year be a milestone of manding or to set the fences higher. families and institutions. And we need clarity and peace in your life’s journey. But this very focus on transcendence to practice and train in what people With much love and the fullness of being transforms once absorbed by example and tradi- the fear of failure that keeps us back tion. from the audaciousness inherent in Habits and assumptions need con- any spiritual journey. Failure is predict- stantly to be subjected to investiga- able and for that reason can be brought tion. That is ’ call today to Laurence Freeman OSB 6 Meditatio Newsletter - december 2013

News

Voices of the John Main Seminar 2013 The John Main Seminar 2013 was a historic moment in the life of The World Community for Christian Meditation. In September, China hosted the event in Hong Kong for the first time. It was a gathering of 400 friends from 17 countries: Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Fiji, Indonesia, Ireland, Malaysia, Mauritius, New Zealand, Philippines, Portugal, Singapore, Taiwan, UK, USA and Hong Kong. The Camaldolese Benedictine monk Fr Joseph Wong was the speaker on the theme “Desert Wisdom & Oriental Spirituality, Inner Silence.“ Below, some impressions of the Seminar: Jesus brings us compassion and heal- ing through the presence of Christ , , whereas Buddhist meditation aspires to purify the heart to bring out one’s `Bud- dha nature..’ How enlightening! Deo Gratias !” (Lina Lee, WCCM Coordina- tor, Hong Kong)

“I feel privileged to be standing here tion in my Daily Prayer, and I ask you to today and see hundreds of you from lo- also remember me in your prayers.” (Fr. cal places and different countries and Joseph Wong OSB, Cam) see your interest in deepening your “The JMS is fabulous because you methods of prayer (…). Please be sure “The community of Hong Kong and have the sense you are in a world wide of my support for the practice of Chris- Asia experienced peace and intimacy community. Sometimes when you med- tian Meditation, so it may benefit more with Christ. Weren’t we, led by the Spirit, itate in your group at home you also can Christians in Hong Kong and in the whole treading Fr. John’s footsteps with medi- find a sense of community, but when world”. (Cardinal John Tong Hon) tators globally where he learned medi- you attend the JMS you realize that it is tation in Malaya? `Meditation creates really a “Monastery Without Walls”. It “These days have been beautiful, community!’ We marveled at the wis- gives you a great connection with the di- both at the pre-seminar retreat and dom of Fr. Laurence at the pre-seminar verse community that WCCM is”. (Mary here at the JMS. I feel maybe this was retreat. His teaching about paradox Anne Gould, from United States) one of the best conference I ever had. and life’s binaries, including East and With people so much involved, you feel West ,gave us hope of ultimate unity. . “This meeting is very good. I can the effect of many years of meditation, And Fr. Joseph Wong OSB Cam, , helped meet all the other meditators from people really interested. Thank you very us see the similarities and differences many countries and get more inspired much. I certainly will remember the between Christian and Buddhist medi- to do my own meditation”. (Johanna World Community for Christian Medita- tation, underscoring how the prayer of Wisoli, Indonesia) Meditatio Newsletter - december 2013 7

Before the JMS New John Main Centre in Indonesia By Johanna Wisoli The Pre-seminar Retreat also hap- pened in Hong Kong with hundreds fore I came to know Christian Meditation. of participants. Fr. Laurence Freeman After I became a member of the Christian spoke on the theme, East-West: The Meditation Community, I began to per- Two Halves of the Soul. ceive this idea as God’s plan for me. I saw There was also an ETW School the rapid growth of the community over the last few years, and I started to think Event for meditators from China, led that we needed a new place dedicated by Fr Laurence and generously spon- to support and accommodate our needs” sored by the National Coordinator said Mr. Suhendro. for China, Liz King and her husband The Indonesian community celebrated “I believe the existence of this center Albert. 16 meditators came from its 10th anniversary in September. They will bring many benefits to the commu- mainland China, Shanghai and Tai- have now 112 groups. The celebration nity. In addition to being a learning and wan (representing laity, religious and was even more special because of the meditation center, it will also serve as a clergy) to deepen their practice and opening and blessing of the new John national library and gallery for the Indo- understanding of the teaching, and Main Centre for Meditation in East Java, nesian Christian Meditation community, to learn ways to share the teaching built thanks to the generosity of medita- a gathering place for meetings, school tors, Mr and Mrs Suhendro. The centre has of meditation events, such as ETW, or a more effectively with others. They a chapel, conference rooms, a John Main place of retreat for both groups and indi- are deeply committed to introducing room, dining room and accommodation viduals. I hope the existence of this center meditation more widely, sometimes for 60. The centre is located at Cikereteg will greatly contribute to the develop- under great difficulty. Village, Province of West Jawa. ment of human resources and will bene- ONLINE: you can watch a summary of the “As a Catholic, I had a dream for a long fit the community at the local and nation- talks of the JMS by Fr. Joseph Wong in our time to have a prayer house for church al level” said Florentina Kindawati, WCCM website (www.wccm.org). members. This was the idea long ago be- National Coordinator for Indonesia.

WCCM Regional National New National Coordinators Coordinators Meetings forward. Fr Joe Pereira has stepped down after leading the Indian medi- tation community for many years, and Fr Laurence has appointed Ber- nadette Pimento from Mumbai to as- sume the role. Monsignor Manny Gabriel, nation- al coordinator for The Philippines, will be succeeded by Mitos Santise- ban, who has served as assistant co- Celina Chan and Liz King The last four WCCM Regional Na- ordinator for the last two years. We tional Coordinators Meetings took Liz King, who has dedicated the thank Liz, Fr Joe and Msg Manny for place in the last few months: in Sep- last 10 years introducing meditation their dedicated leadership and wel- tember, in Hong Kong for Asia and the more widely in China, steeped down come Celina, Bernadette and Mitos. Pacific; in October in Italy for South Eu- from her role as national coordina- In the UK and Australia, the Com- rope; in November for North America tor. Celina Chan of Hong Kong has munity welcomes Roz Stockley and and the Caribbean in the US; and in accepted Fr. Laurence’s invitation Jan Wylie and thanks Janet Robbins Argentina for South America (photo). to take on the role for China going and Stephen Holgate for their service.

“When we sit down to meditate, we put ourselves in touch with a great and glorious tradition of men and women who throughout the ages have understood that the greatest wisdom is to leave self behind.” John Main 8 Meditatio Newsletter - december 2013

News

Cardinal Pell addresses a conference for teachers in Australia Clergy, and led a 2 day Conference for for. Meditation in Schools to more than We follow the one true God, the 400 teachers, principals and catechists mighty transcendent spirit of Love, organized by the Sydney Catholic Ed- who is the Father of Jesus Christ. And ucation Office and the NSW Christian that’s one reason why I’m so keen in Meditation Community. Fr Laurence encouraging this form of meditation, led the conference with Dr Cathy Day, precisely because it’s so God centred Director of Catholic Education Towns- and it’s so Christ centred. And it’s a ville. Cardinal Pell opening the Confer- beautiful activity. And I’ve seen it ence for Teachers stressstressed the work. When I go out into the schools, importance of meditation as a way of sometimes I’m taken to the medita- prayer in Schools. tion classes and they’ll meditate for Some excerpts from his opening address: me. And you know how you have to “I’m delighted that Fr Laurence is close your eyes, well I nearly always here, and I’m absolutely delighted cheat. Because before it starts I will that so many of you are here. Because identify what I think is the most fidg- I think that what Fr Laurence is doing ety young man in the group, and then and you are doing is a good thing. But half way through the allotted time, I’ll In November, Fr Laurence gave a also I suspect that it not only will be open my eyes to see whether he’s qui- National conference in Australia to useful, but I think it could be one of et and composed and meditating or 450 meditators. He was invited by those activities that young people re- whether he’s fidgety and distracted. Cardinal Pell to give a talk to Sydney spond to instinctively and are grateful And overwhelmingly he’s praying”.

South America New Zealand School Retreat

The second New Zealand School Retreat in Ecuador Retreat led by Kath Houston from Fr Laurence had nearly a month on a where he led a retreat at 10.000 feet Australia and New Zealander, Fr Pe- Latin American teaching tour in Argen- with the developing enthusiastic Quito ter Murphy, in October, was held in a tine, Brazil, Uruguay and Ecuador where community led by the Coordinator Raul he led seminars and retreats, gave talks Guzman and his wife Ana. The National Co- small convent and church, six hours to business leaders, teachers and cat- ordinators’ Nth America and Caribbean Re- from Auckland. During the seven day echists and a panel on Religion and gional meeting in Jacksonville began the silent retreat, 17 meditators formed Neuroscience. It was Fr Laurence’s first tour and was followed by the Latin Ameri- a small community that revolved visit to the beautiful country of Ecuador can Regional meeting in Buenos Aires. around the daily rhythm of prayer. Meditatio Newsletter - december 2013 9

News Meditatio

Meditation with Children Tour in US and Canada

to United States and Canada in Sep- not just teaching Christian Meditation tember and October to lead a tour on in schools, but also for themselves. We Meditation with Children. St Paul, MN, had a lot of “first-time-meditators” com- San Francisco, CA, Houston, TX, Phoe- ing, and the experience for them was nix, AZ, Jacksonville, FL and Toronto, something remarkable. (Dr. Cathy Day) ONTO. “ It was a great trip, so many warm “People were very interested, en- people, and there is a “happy hunger” thusiastic. When you have these full for meditation; they really want to do day seminars, people are very quiet this. We met about 600 hundred new Dr. Cathy Day, Director of the in the morning and by the end of people and we feel we have 600 new Townsville Catholic Education Office the day, they just could not stop talk- friends. Hopefully we will came back in Queensland, Australia, and Ernie ing, they want to chat with us. They one day and we will see the fruits”. (Er- Christie, the Deputy Director, went want to know more and more about, nie Christie) Meditatio Seminar on Breaking the Cycle of Violence, Mexico City

and very substantial because it has that the Mexican people here have brought us, through meditation, in a great interest in the practice of medi- very simple way, to an intimacy, to a tation and have plenty of desire to learn meeting in prayer, with the heart, with how to create the connection between God. In this way, practising it, doing meditation and a spirit of presence in it, we can begin to make the connec- the face of the violent realities that mark tions that allow us to continue grow- their country. (James Alison, speaker) ing in this way, and to break the cycle “The conclusion is that we have a lev- James Alison of violence. Why? Because we grow in el of violence in Mexico that we cannot Meditation is a way of breaking peace, in tranquility, and the love of face. It is all conveyed through statistics, the cycle of violence, starting at the God that is inside us expands over all”. and we are no longer bothered when personal level. This was the central (José López Esquer, from Mexico) we hear about 30, 40, 50 people dying idea of the Meditatio Seminar held in “ It was a very rich sharing, because in one day. It becomes just a number. Mexico City. in October. , Fr. Laurence we had teachers and educators from We have to become aware that we Freeman, Fr. James Alison and three different branches of life with real ex- are violent people, too, and once we Mexicans, Pastora Rebeca Montemay- perience of what it is to live through have managed that we can reach out, or, Eduardo Garza and Alberto Athie the trials of violence over political, re- like the Meditatio project is doing, , were the speakers in this event at Uni- ligious and ideological issues. And the touching the community, engaging versidad Iberoamericana. three Mexican speakers gave us such us and others, and beyond this, be- “I liked the simplicity and the direct- enriching life lessons because they al- ginning meditation with children, so ness, each one in his own way, Alison and lowed us to see the importance of de- that when a child becomes 15, 20, a Laurence – speaking to people like me veloping a more contemplative spirit teenager or an adult, he or she has who are not knowledgeable in theology. in the way we treat each other. That the ability to remain calm. Having re- But now I can understand and indeed be- is to say, they allowed us a glimpse of alised a personal relationship with Je- lieve many things that before I could not”. ways of creating links between a more sus, there is no need to fear questions (Susana Clavé Almeida, from Mexico) meditative practice and another way of identity and the daily problems of “The teaching that we have re- of engaging in the creation of a less life”. (Enrique Lavin, National Coor- ceived here has been very enriching violent community. So I have realised dinator for Mexico) 10 Meditatio Newsletter - december 2013

Malaysia celebrates their 20th Anniversary with interfaith event Awakening to Oneness By Sara Lee Turner, WCCM Singapore

pressed over and over again that we can overcome these difficulties in our own countries, in our region and in the world. All in the spiritual life is not talk- ing and meditating together so we were treated to a meditative dance performed by a graceful and talented dancer. In the afternoon when we re- ally needed to move our energy, we were brought to our feet and clapped our hands to the song medley per- formed by the Sahaja Yoga Group. Instructions on how to breathe rounded up the day followed by a fi- nal blessing in song, taken from the Book of Numbers 6:24-26 by Fr. Ge- My meditation practice has awak- firmed the goodness of our merging rard Theraviam, of WCCM Malaysia. ened in me a wish to know people into God, Allah, the Creator or any of The entire day was designed to from other faith traditions who medi- the many terms that are used to de- carefully lead us through several dif- tate so that we can pray together. I note The One in whom we dwell and ferent experiences that were unified believe in the power of silence. Where who dwells in us. The distractions of around the theme of Oneness. The words are often inadequate to dis- the political and social world to pre- participants included meditators cuss beliefs, silence allows us to reach vent this were also given some at- from the north, Penang and Ipoh deeper levels together with respect tention to highlight the difficulties of and old friends last encountered at and love. Spending a day with over people of faith coming together to the John Main Seminar in Penang 150 Malaysians from Buddhist, Mus- form community. There was hope ex- (2006). lim, Hindu, Bahai, Sikh, Christian and indigenous backgrounds, I was filled with gratitude to those attending and especially to all those who worked so hard to make this day right in every way. The venue was The Pure Life So- ciety where John Main, then a young diplomat, first met its founder Swami Satyananda before rediscovering meditation as part of his own Chris- tian tradition. Mother Mangalam, the President of the Society welcomed us to The Temple of the Universal Spirit. The opening ceremony was per- formed by a group of Malaysians of indigenous backgrounds with a bless- ing of the earth. The speakers each described their own tradition and af- Meditatio Newsletter - december 2013 11

In Focus by David Rees

I had recently completed present- with many young people. There was came to an end I somehow felt bereft ing an Autumn season of Sunday soft music playing as we quietly took of something. When I realized what it evening performances of small scale our places. Fr. Laurence led with a 20 was I instantly jumped onto my programmes with leading actors and minute talk after which we went into bike and headed for Campden Hill musicians. One of the highlights was complete silence. I left on my bicycle Road, never to leave the teaching based on Lorca, the great Spanish back to Battersea knowing I had to and indeed the way of life it opened poet with a spectacular solo perfor- complete the course I had begun. I for me, though often facing the chal- mance by a rather crazy actor. Earlier thought, “yet again God moves in a lenges of the desert. I can say now in the Autumn I had had some deal- mysterious way”. Towards the end that meditation is essential to my ings with his Australian manager, Reg of the 8 weeks course Sr. Madeleine daily life. I get quite cross with myself Luckie. As the performance drew near asked me if I would like to move to and the world on those rare occasions Reg was missing. At the end of the when something prevents my time season I learnt poor Reg had been of meditation. How true it is that ‘as nursing his dear wife dying of can- breathing is essential to the body so cer. On hearing of her death before is meditation to the spirit’. I would Christmas 1987 I wrote to Reg. After like to say how through the initiation New Year I heard from him saying that of Laurence in 2001 I had such a rich he was living with a Benedictine Com- time running the meditation house munity in Kensington. He would love in Cockfosters along with my“sisters” to see me and invited me to Campden Rita McKenna and Jo Chambers for Hill Road. I was not then aware that I over 4 happy and blessed years. was spiritually seeking because I had These days I am not as involved been so busy that concerns about my- with the wonderful work of the com- self seemed far removed. On a wintry munity worldwide. But I am happy to Wednesday night I climbed the steps lead the lunchtime weekday groups to the dark blue front door, rang the with three other team leaders at St. bell and waited. Quietly the door was Paul’s Bookshop, at Westminster Ca- opened by an elderly lady with such a the Monday evening group at which thedral, a new weekly group I started radiant smile and eyes that I felt con- there was always a talk but frequent- on Tower Hill and my weekly Wapping nected completely with my own. ly no questions or discussion. This I group in my home. As a Londoner I She was dear Sr. Madeleine Simon, liked - and still do - as I prefer to go feel proud of the Meditatio Centre at a Sacred Heart nun and Director of back to the outside world with the si- St. Mark’s and in particular Meditatio the Christian Meditation Centre. After lence of the meditation intact. As with House in Ealing. It is wonderful for me supper I met a young Fr. Laurence. many meditators, after about a year I after all these years to see the essence Sr. Madeleine said ‘now we are go- dropped out for 6 months. I was work- of that place identical with with the ing upstairs to meditate. Would you ing on an arts project and building my Centre at Campden Hill Road where I like to join us?’ The room was jam-full own programmes. When the project began this journey.

Meditatio Newsletter is published four Editor: Leonardo Corrêa ([email protected]) times a year by the International Office of Graphic Design: Gerson Laureano The World Community for Christian Medi- International Coordinator: Pauline Peters tation, 32 Hamilton Road, London W5 2EH, ([email protected]) UK. Tel: +44 208 579 4466 Coordinator, International Office: Jeroen E-mail: [email protected] Koppert ([email protected]) Would you like to contribute to the Meditatio Newsletter? Our next deadline is March 5th 12 Meditatio Newsletter - december 2013

New Resources

Videos Retreats & Events in 2014 John Main Seminar 2014 Meditatio Seminar on Justice Bere Island Easter Retreat Muslims and Christians: Listeners for the Word This Meditatio Seminar explored the spiritual dimension of justice. With Daniel A. Madigan, SJ Price: US$ 30 July 24 – 27 Where: Meditatio Store Chicago, United States (www.meditatiostore.com) Pre-seminar Silent Retreat Chang- ing Patterns: The Power of DVDs Holy Week Retreat led by Fr. Lau- Stillness and Silence in Medita- rence Freeman tion with Laurence Freeman, OSB John Main Seminar 2013 – April 12 – 20 July 21-24, 2014 Talks in Bere Island, Ireland More info: [email protected] Price per set : HK$50.00 (3 Discs) More info about the retreat: Language: Chinese (Cantonese) il- [email protected] Our world is dangerously divided lustrated with powerpoints (mainly More info about Younger Medita- about where and how God has spo- in Chinese and some parts bi-lingual tors group: [email protected] ken the Word in a defining way. The Chinese and English). John Main Seminar 2104 goes be- For orders and enquires email Lina Monte Oliveto Retreat yond this division to focus on a Lee: [email protected] shared belief that binds Muslims and Christians together: God is a speaker and His word continues to Books inform and transform us. This is an Fully Alive - ideal opportunity for Christians to The transforming understand the truth about a Mus- lim’s faith and its relationship to our power of prayer own. By John Main OSB The presenter for the JMS 14 Fully Alive is a new, previously un- Silent Meditation Retreat led by is a world authority on Islam, Fr. published collection of talks by John Laurence Freeman OSB and Giovanni Daniel Madigan, SJ, Australian Main OSB, edited by Laurence Free- Felicioni. The theme of the retreat will Jesuit and Director of Graduate man OSB be ‘Health, Healing and Wholeness”. Studies in Theology at George- Price: US$11.22 June 14 – 21 town University. He is also Senior Where: www.wccm.org (go to Resources Monte Oliveto, Siena, Italy Fellow of The Al-Waleed Center for and Amazon Store) More info: [email protected] Muslim-Christian Understanding.

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