The Sangha Newsletter The Bede Griffiths Sangha is committed to the search for the truth at the heart of all religions.

Autumn/Winter 2008 Volume 10 Issue 7 Unity in Diversity CONTENTS: I hope that you will enjoy the rich variety of contributions contained in this enlarged Newsletter, arising from the diverse Sangha Contacts 2/3 Remembering Father Bede interests and observations of our readership - all contained within the unifying vision of the Sangha. This includes recollections of Correspondence 3 Father Bede at Prinknash Abbey, insights into the Gospel of Thomas, memories of inter-religious initiatives of Father Max Sharing the Gospel of 4 Mizzi, Brother Martin’s remarkable talks at Park Place and a Thomas beautiful introduction to meditation. This issue also carries Father Max Mizzi 5 another account of spiritual inspiration provided by India, as well Father Bede and Stanley as reports on two wonderful projects being carried out there with Spencer the assistance of the Bede Griffiths Charitable Trust and reports Park Place Summer Retreat 6/7 also on various Sangha events. For coming events see page 15. Three Somethings and One 7 Timothy Glazier Unknowable Learnign to Meditate 8/9 Remembering Father Bede Sanskrit Corner Father Aldhelm’s recollections of a saffron robed Bede’s return visits to Prinknash Abbey. Shakti - the dimensions of 10 Godhead. Sharing the Spirituality and our Mental 11 Worldview Gospel of Thomas Hermits in Company Hugh McGregor Ross on these mysterious and profound sayings. Caldey Retreat 12

St Antoine L’Abbaye retreat What is a Human Being? 13 Brother Martin and the bridge between the The Abbey, Sutton Courtney prophetic and wisdom traditions. News from the Bede 14 Griffiths Charitable Trust Learning to Meditate Simple guidance on this most fundamental spiritual practice with Dr Rolf Sovik. Sangha News, Retreats and 15 Resources The Caldey Island Regional Contacts 16 Meditation Groups Silent Retreat “Holy Water - Holy Wells” - and torrential rain.

“In a world torn by conflicts, many of which are alleged to be religious, the Bede Griffiths Sangha Gathering at Gaunts House (2006) was one of the most hopeful events I have attended. Here freedom of thought and emphasis on spirituality converged, as did Christian and Indian religious traditions, to provide what for me was a foreshadowing of the shape a future Church might take.” Revd Professor Keith Ward. www.bedegriffithssangha.org.uk 2 THE BEDE GRIFFITHS SANGHA NEWSLETTER Welcome to the Remembering Father Bede. Father Aldhelm OSB Autumn/Winter 2008 Bede Griffiths Sangha In July the monks of Prinknash Abbey returned to their original Newsletter home, St Peters Grange – known to many Sangha members because of the retreats that had been held there over a period of 12 years, This Newsletter is published from the larger abbey building erected in 1972. It was here, in 1933, three times a year to provide a that Father Bede commenced his life as a monk. Here Fr Aldhelm forum for articles and comment Cameron-Brown OSB, a former Abbot, recounts his memories of Fr within the remit of the Sangha to Bede and the influence that he had on his life. search for the truth at the heart I became a Catholic in the early 50’s From time to time he came back to of all religions, to record Sangha and having read Thomas Merton I felt England for one reason or another, and activities and give details of called to the monastic life. However, perhaps three or four times he spent a future events and resources two visits to Mount St Bernard few days at Prinknash, visiting his old available. Correspondence and Cistercian Abbey convinced me that I home. I remember watching him in contributions for inclusion in was not cut out for such an austere life. the refectory, where he ate with the future editions are welcome and So I gave up the idea. Abbot and the guests, not with the com- will be considered by the munity. There he was, at the top table, editorial team. Several years later I came across ‘The in saffron robes of an Indian holy man, Golden String’ by Dom Bede Griffiths. but the expressions on his face as he To receive a printed copy of the This was exciting – here was a listened to the reading were those of a Newsletter, please send your , Prinknash Abbey, which well educated English gentleman. I details to the Editor for inclusion had no school (I felt unsuited to the life took the opportunity, while he was on our data base. The of a teacher), and yet was not so strict there, to have some talks with him. He Newsletter is free but an annual in its way of life as the . So was easy to talk to, and had some inter- donation towards costs will be I made enquiries, I came to Prinknash esting things to say. However, I invited with the Spring edition. as a guest, and then eventually entered thought it out of the question that I Copies, for friends or interested the Prinknash novitiate, and here I am, would ever visit him at his ashram in more than fifty years later! India. organisations, can be provided. Now Fr Francis (our pre- Current and back numbers of sent Abbot) and I belong the Newsletter are available on to a group called the www.bedegriffithssangha.org.uk British Commission on Monastic Interfaith SANGHA CONTACTS: Dialogue. One day the Newsletter Editor Dalai Lama, whom I had Timothy Glazier, 2 Tynings Road, met in London, sent two Nailsworth, Glos GL6 0EJ of his monks to visit 01453 839488 British , and [email protected] stay there for some time. Sangha Contact and Welcome They were lovely people, Joan Walters, Church House, and we loved having Steynton, Milford Haven, Pembs The young Bede at Prinknash Abbey in 1941 talking with Toby Rance (father to them. Then the Dalai Sangha member Adrian) who was staying at Prinknash to recuperate from an SA73 1AW 01646 692496 illness - he wrote home “I have met a most remarkable man here, Dom Bede” - Lama asked if two British [email protected] monks could go round Fr Bede therefore had a great influence Tibetan monasteries in India. This was Sangha Working Group on my life and I would add that since discussed by the British Commission Jane Lichnowski, 82 coming to Prinknash I have never felt a and eventually it was decided that as Road, Cirencester, GL7 2LJ real desire to leave – although every Abbot of Prinknash at that time, that I 01285 651381 [email protected] monk may have moods in which he would go with Fr Francis. So off we thinks of leaving! However, I can add went to India, where we visited 48 UK Contact with Shantivanam Michael Giddings 07810 366860 that although as a young monk I took a Tibetan monasteries - no, I didn’t know [email protected] vow of stability (meaning that you do there were that many either! It was not shop around, looking for a ‘better’ one of the most wonderful experiences Bede Griffiths Charitable Trust monastery!) my monastic work has in of my life. Jill Hemmings, Beech Tree Cottage, fact taken me to every continent except Gushmere, Selling, Kent, ME 13 Australia. Fr Bede had gone off to I had arranged beforehand that in the 9RH. 01227 752871 India by the time I entered, but I had middle of our trip we would spend a [email protected] written to him there to tell him what his few days with Father Bede at For Regional Contacts and book had done for me. Shantivanam. So we took an overnight details of Meditation Groups, train to the nearest station, and there, as see back page. THE BEDE GRIFFITHS SANGHA NEWSLETTER 3

Father Bede in “The Golden String” on his first impressions of coming to Prinknash Abbey, then housed in the old manor house St Peters Grange, wrote “but as soon as I came there I knew that this was what I had unconsciously been seeking all these years. It was an experience almost as surpris- ing as my first discovery of the beauty of nature at school. The natural setting was certainly as lovely as could be imagined. It was an old Cotswold manor house standing on the side of a hill, where the Cotswolds slope down to meet the plain. Here where hills covered with beeches and the fields studded with trees like a park. In front lay the plain stretching to the Malvern Hills in the distance and the tower of what had once been Gloucester Abbey rising up in the foreground as a silent witness to the religion which had once dominated the countryside.

“It was not however the outward setting which now moved me...it was a beauty of a different kind from anything which I had known before, a beauty not of a natural but of a supernatural order. The presence of God had been revealed to me on that day at school beneath the forms of nature; but St Peters Grange - once again the now it was another presence which I perceived, the presence of God not of nature but of Grace. home of the monks of Prinknash Abbey we looked out of the window to see to Prinknash, except that much of what brated for him at Prinknash, to which who was on the platform, we saw the said was in Sanskrit! came many people from across the saffron-clad figure of one of Fr Bede’s country who had known and loved him, Community, Br Christadas. He gave I found Father Bede an impressive per- some who had simply been impressed us a warm welcome, and took us back son. He was so friendly and welcom- by his writing. to Shantivanam. ing, and we felt very much at home with him. At the same time he had so He was a prophetic figure, not so much India is not really my scene (it is too many interesting things to speak about. in the sense of someone who foretells hot!) , but it was worth going there not He took us once to a Hindu Temple, the future, but as someone who brings only to visit the Tibetans, but also to which was a most interesting experi- life and meaning to the future. May he meet Fr Bede in his chosen surround- ence - there were so many gods, but rest in peace. ings. Every morning he presided at beyond them all one God. Eucharist, celebrated at a low table in Fr Aldhelm Cameron-Brown OSB much the same way as I celebrated I did not meet Fr Bede again, but after Prinknash Abbey Mass for the Sangha group who came his death we had a Requiem Mass cele- Correspondence Received in response to our article about Swami Abhishiktananda, in anticipation of the Celebration of the 100th anniversary of his birth to be held at Gaunts House in 2010, details of which are on Page 15. Submitted by Hilary Knight A Letter from Brother Michael From “Prayer” by Abhishiktananda Dear Editor God is always present to us. There is no time and no place in our daily life or occupation in which God is not present to us. In reading Swami Abhishiktananda’s books, The life of prayer is simply to realise God’s presence. It is not a and knowing that it is said that he was sad special way of life reserved for those few individuals who are that no one joined him, may I say that that called to get away from the world. Most people imagine that in truth he found alone in his heart, being the order to pray, in order to find themselves in the presence of God, truth of all life, joined with the entire uni- they have to stop their minds from thinking of any creature what- verse, in the loving silent communion that is soever, and instead to form some mental picture of God. But no timeless, and he was not alone in that place idea which we may have of God is God himself, but only what we in his heart. think of him. So the presence of God to us, and our presence to him has nothing to do with the working of our minds. That union with a love that is beyond human forms, that priceless gift that he offered to Do we say “Let us think of the air which surrounds us, and then humanity, may take some time to be noticed breathe?” No, we just breathe and go on breathing. So it is also by some folk. Yet even unknown, it unites with the divine presence which is more essential to our life, to with the heart of life, that heart of life that our very being, than the air we breathe. Praying is simply believ- holds all humanity together and his words ing that we are living in the mystery of God, that we are plunged will speak to humanity for the rest of time. into and immersed in it – “in him we live and move and have our being” (Acts 17:28) – that the mystery of God in its fullness is Many Blessings, both inside and outside us, like the air which surrounds us and penetrates the tiniest hollows of our lungs. Brother Michael

Abhishiktananda, Prayer, ISPCK, 1993 (Tr from French) 3, 7, 11 The Hermitage, Marlow, Buckinghamshire. 4 THE BEDE GRIFFITHS SANGHA NEWSLETTER Sharing the Gospel of Thomas Hugh McGregor Ross I remember the excitement I felt when about ten of them, some fading out, in 1959 friends told me that a book had others continuing for several years. been published that contained new say- ings attributed to Jesus - not only that It is just ten years ago that I carried out but these sayings carried a similar an experiment and discovered that by mystical quality to the Eastern writings rearranging the sequence of the sayings that interested me at that time. I am to put those with like-for-like meaning delighted that Hugh McGregor Ross together (instead of the random or scat- has responded to my request that he tered sequence in which Thomas write something for the Newsletter recalled them from his memory) a about his research and insight into this coherent set of spiritual teachings or doctrines are revealed. (Published as Gospel. TG Jesus Untouched by the Church.)* Timothy Glazier has several times This has raised the interest in the urged me to write for your Sanga Gospel to a new level. It is trans- Newsletter about the Gospel of formed from being merely a collection Thomas. Perhaps I might tell some- of sayings, into groups that combine to thing about the way I’ve shared its trea- Jesus the Life-Giver. reveal spiritual teachings of one of the sures. Detail from the earliest icon of Jesus different from those in the Bible, some Great Souls of mankind. Furthermore, for members of the Sangha these have But first a thumb-nail view of the marginally so, but most entirely new to the added value of being very close to Gospel itself. After the event we call us. Being the words of a Master they those of advaita Vedanta. Pentecost the apostle Thomas was are at a very high spiritual level, and assigned to take the teachings of Jesus are inevitably difficult to the East. He travelled across the for us at first. I was desert to Edessa, a centre of culture in fortunate to come to the Euphrates valley. While there he them at the same time recollected sayings of Jesus, and dictat- as I was sitting at the ed them to a scribe. Jesus was bilin- feet of a karana Guru gual in Aramaic and Greek, the lan- teaching in the advaita guage spoken by the majority of his Vedanta tradition. countrymen. Thomas, who was given the Greek nickname Didymos, meaning It became apparent that these two This however has not been easy for ‘twin’, could translate Jesus’ Aramaic teachings are in essence the same, even some people. It shows up in those who sayings into Greek. Thomas went on, though expressed in very different start with the attraction of finding many first, to Kashmir and then in the year 52 idioms. How could it be otherwise? new sayings of Jesus, but run into hur- to south India, where he initiated a There can only be one Truth. dles when they come to the teachings. Christian Church still very active. Being a life-long Quaker, I began, as is The point was crystallized by a very insightful member of one of the groups Copies of that Gospel became wide- their wont, to share what I was finding that had been studying the Gospel for spread, until it incurred the disapproval in ‘Thomas’ with others. This took the several years, when he exclaimed of the as that became form of publishing, on a very small “these teachings are diametrically dominant, and ordered it to be scale, my own translation of the ancient opposite to those of the Church”. It is destroyed. However the monks of a document. For this I had to learn the the oppositeness, rather than merely monastery in Egypt saved their copy by Egyptian language Coptic in which that being different. So it needs a consider- burying it in the sands. There it lay, copy is mainly written (but many important words able openness of mind to be able to are still in Greek). share in the treasures of the Gospel of That was in 1981 Thomas. and since then my translation, with a If you use the internet join the many substantial number people who are finding much more at of explanatory www.gospelofthomas.info and at notes, has remained www.gospelofthomas.net available.* *Copies of three of Hugh McGregor untouched, until the middle of the Ross’s books about the Gospel of Thomas twentieth century when, after many As that interest became known I was can be ordered from bookshops or direct adventures it became available to us. asked to speak on the Gospel at various from him: Jesus Untouched by the Each of these features is spelled out in gatherings, and that resulted in setting Church £12, Thirty Essays on the Gospel my Essays.* up groups for further study of it. These of Thomas £9, The Gospel of Thomas were mainly, but not exclusively, (text) £7.99 all inc. UK p & p. Its sayings of Jesus, 114 of them, are all among Quakers. There have been Contact him on 01452 813072. THE BEDE GRIFFITHS SANGHA NEWSLETTER 5 Father Max Mizzi: Franciscan pioneer of inter-religious dialogue. I first met Father Max in the mid 90s and Chapter of the Franciscan Order in 1972 he during the last few years got to know him set up the Franciscan ecumenical centre better during my regular pilgrimages to which in 1989 became CEFID (The Assisi. A humble friar in his grey habit, International Franciscan Centre for not many people realised what pioneering Dialogue). work he did in the field of inter-religious dialogue. For the rest of his life Father Max travelled and worked tirelessly for dialogue and Born and brought up in Malta, in a strict friendship between people of all religions, Roman Catholic background, he would races and backgrounds. It was largely as a hurry past protestant churches as a boy for result of seeing his photos of these meet- fear of being drawn into such heretical ings that Pope John Paul was inspired to places! He joined the at 16 instigate the first great gathering of the and was later sent to the Sacro Convento world's religions in Assisi in 1986. This in Assisi, mother house of the Conventual Father Max Mizzi with the Dalai Lama at the was followed in 2002 by another gathering Franciscans, where he was novice master Parliament of World Religions, Chigago 1993 which focussed on prayers for peace. for many years. One day while walking in the streets of Assisi he saw a friar who was obviously a Father Max passed on in March of this year. This quiet Franciscan but who was wearing a habit Father Max did loving courageous man will be sorely missed but the work not recognise. He was astonished to discover that this which was his life's focus is now being continued world- man was an Anglican Franciscan. Until then he had wide from grass roots level upwards. He invites us all to thought that all Franciscans were Catholics! be "prophets of peace" in the spirit of St Francis.

This encounter led to an invitation to Great Britain and a Further information can be found on the CEFID website growing connection with Protestants here, to which were (currently being updated) or on www.assisimission.net later added close ties with Scandinavian Lutherans. By 1960 Father Max was committed to working in the spirit of St Francis for ecuminism within Christianity and dia- Gwyneth Clapham logue between religions. Together with the General

Bede Griffiths and Stanley Spencer Mary Saddler We were on our way to the Summer events of everyday life, something of Retreat at Park Place when we made the spirit of Giotto and he himself a minor detour to the village of had something of the quality of a dis- Burghclere a few miles south of ciple of St Francis. He also taught Newbury to visit the Sandham me to appreciate the music of Bach.” Memorial Chapel. The simple exteri- or gives no hint of what is inside but Whilst in the village we also visited the first impression is quite awe- the Parish Church to see the inspiring. The walls are completely Millennium window designed by covered in paintings and frescoes. Laurence Whistler and engraved by Sally Scott. Apparently it was one of They were painted by Stanley Whistler’s last designs and he was Spencer between 1928 and 1932 and eager to have a window in the church depict, in the main, the everyday as he too had been influenced by lives of soldiers behind the lines and Spencer when he and his brother Rex in hospital during the First World The Sandham Memorial Chapel Nr Newbury, Hampshire. had visited and talked to the artist at War when Stanley Spencer was a What really added to our interest is work in the Chapel. medical orderly. The faces and activ- the fact that Fr. Bede (Alan Griffiths ities of the soldiers hinted at a life as he then was) regularly took long The visit was a special start to a beyond the physical plain. The cen- solitary walks into the Berkshire wonderful weekend at Park Place. trepiece is The Resurrection of the countryside and on occasions spent (See next page). Soldiers, on the east wall behind the time at the Chapel and in Spencer’s altar and shows soldiers rising from The Sandham Memorial Chapel is a National village home talking to and watching Trust Property open to the public on irregular the dead and carrying their crosses the artist at work. In The Golden days. Check opening dates and times on: towards the distant figure of a seated String Bede says “I felt in his paint- www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/ Christ. ing, with its religious insight into the w-sandhammemorialchapel 6 THE BEDE GRIFFITHS SANGHA NEWSLETTER Summer Seminar at Park Place 18th-20th July Over sixty members of the Sangha met for the Summer Seminar at Park Place, Hampshire at which we were treated to two wonderful talks by Brother Martin. Once again Michael Giddings acted as co-ordinator and the programme included a period of group discussion at which Michael invited us to exchange our “ah-haa” moments from Martin’s challenging ideas - see the the next page for what arose for Harold Stringer from one of these moments. On Saturday evening we were treated to a magical performance of Indian Dance by Vena Ramphal. On Sunday morning we were invited to join with the regular local congregation who come to celebrate Mass in the Park Place Chapel: for the benefit of the Sangha, Fr Andrew celebrated the Indian Rite - an experience enjoyed by all of us although Fr Andrew commented that not all his usual congregation were as welcoming of his “Gandhi Masses!” The early life of Brother Martin, edited from ‘The Four O’clock Talks’. What is a human being? Available by post from the Sangha, see ‘individual mind’, the branches repre- page 15. sent what he called ‘the collective mind’ - this would be represented by Brother Martin was born in a semi-rural area of the Indian State of Andhra the community or religion or belief Pradesh in January 1955. Both his structure to which an individual parents were teachers - one a Christian belonged, and beyond which he and the other a Hindu. Martin was the would seldom move. Next the trunk sixth of seven children and because of of the tree which he described as ‘the the financial pressures on the family universal mind’ and which was the Martin had many breaks in his educa- unifying point for all the branches - tion and at 15 had to leave school. For four years he worked long hours as a all the belief structures to which any labourer in an oil factory. human being could ascribe, and finally come the roots – ‘the unitary By the early 1970’s, the financial pres- mind’, which represented unity with sure on the family had eased. With his the divine. All this he said is what a parents encouragement he attempted human being is – and unity with the college admission and, despite having divine is the true end of all religious been out of school for so long, he was successful. Martin decided to go to journeys. Bangalore to study for the priesthood. “I had a strong desire to prove God Brother Martin expounding on his upside-down tree diagram He then illustrated this four level through my intellectual reasoning”. In his two talks, Brother Martin progression with the life of Jesus: However, neither the study of philoso- treated those present to his profound born to Mary, at the level of the phy nor theology enabled Martin to insights into the nature of what it is to leaves, into a physical body – ‘the prove the existence of God as he had individual mind’. On the 8th day he hoped. That frustration was the starting be a human being. From these rich point for his personal search for truth. presentations space only allows this was circumcised, and he entered the summary to touch on some of the branch, ‘the collective mind’, to In the course of his study Martin read fundamental points that he made become a Jew - for him at that stage, the following words in an article by Fr (note a 2 CD set isavailable - see Judaism was ‘the way, the truth and Bede: ‘Christians think that God and next page.) His main theme however, the life.’ Then at his baptism he they are two. No, God and we are not was to demonstrate the full dimension came out of the womb of Judaism two. God is the only Absolute Reality into universal presence of God – the and we are only relative reality. We of what it is to be human, as it is seen cannot be two.’ Those words had a in both the prophetic tradition of trunk, ‘the universal mind’ and he tremendous impact on Martin. “That Judaism, Christianity and Islam and becomes ‘original’ – no longer a statement went straight to my heart. It the wisdom tradition of Hinduism, creature of the past and it is at this was like fire touching dynamite; it was Jainism and Buddhism – this com- point that God said “you are my so powerful. It brought me to the point mon ground thus creating a bridge beloved son”. Finally, on entering where I had to surrender to the reality the roots, he enters ‘the unitary mind’ of the universal presence of God.....”. between these two apparently polarised world views. Creating this – united with the divine so he can say As a result of this Martin went to see Fr bridge he sees as being “crucial to “I and the Father are one.” Bede “When I spoke to Father Bede, he the bringing of peace to the world - affirmed what I was saying and I upon which the future of Mankind In order to demonstrate the universal- became so light because all my burdens depends.” ity of the nature of the human being, were lifted”. Fr Bede said, ‘I don’t feel Brother Martin then related to his tree your vocation is in a diocesan life. To illustrate this with a model that we diagram a fundamental teaching of Leave the diocese and came and stay at the wisdom tradition - the four levels Shantivanam for six months.’” Martin could all understand, Martin drew on trusted these words and left his diocese a flip chart the traditional image of a of consciousness from the in May 1984 - “to sit at the feet of tree with its roots in the air and Upanishads. The level of the leaves Father Bede, to be his disciple and branches below - the leaves, he said, is ‘the waking consciousness’, this is follow his vision to find the truth at the represent the individual human or the the level of identification with the heart of all religions.” physical body, a sense of separateness THE BEDE GRIFFITHS SANGHA NEWSLETTER 7 from the rest of creation, in other of nothing or out of something. words our usual condition. At the level of the branches is what is called Many ways to God, or one? ‘dreaming consciousness’ - this is the Finally Martin said that all religions level of all religions with their con- claim to be the way to God, but “are cepts of ideals and ideal persons – ie there many ways to God, or just Jesus, the Buddha, Mohammad etc: one?” Answering his own question this is the level of ‘the collective con- he said that there is just one way to sciousness’ and here are all the labels God, not through religion, or through from the past, where the present is in scripture or through technology - service to the past - if I say “I am a “but by renouncing the ego, or by Vena Ramphal’s exquisite presentation of Christian” that is out of the past, I am expanding the ego to become an classical Indian Dance instrument of God”. Again using his not ‘original’. The next stage is to Hilary Knight writes: enter the trunk – what is known in the four level simile of the tree, Martin said that the purpose of religion is to Upanishadic tradition as the stage of Vena is a dancer specially suited ‘deep sleep consciousness’ – this is enable us to make the transition from the realm of originality and creativity, ‘individual ego’ to the ‘divine ego’. to the Sangha as she has not only ‘unitary consciousness’ – the level at great dancing skills but also which one can say “I am” - with no For this we have to go beyond our understands and conveys the phi- religious label. Finally entering the religions which, ultimately, is how losophy behind each dance. roots to ‘awakened consciousness’. the marriage can be made between the prophetic and the wisdom This is the level of full realisation, at Her parents are one from the which it can be said “I and God are traditions. Hindu and one from the Christian one”. The CDs of Brother Martin traditions, and Vena has a PhD in Brother Martin’s Sahajananda’s talks at the Brother Martin also spoke on other talks at Park Park Place Summer Retreat philosophy and dance and has a fundamental conflicting beliefs of the Place will be WHAT IS A choreography fellowship with the prophetic and wisdom traditions, such available for a HUMAN Sadlers Wells Company. She suggested as the concept in the prophetic BEING? explained each dance before she tradition of a human being having donation of £12. just one life as opposed to the belief Please send a performed it, and this enabled us cheque to me to follow the deeper meanings. in re-incarnation, and also the made out to: The Bede Griffiths Sangha. differing beliefs of the relationship We hope to see her again. Timothy Glazier, 2 Tynings Road, between God and creation - whether Nailsworth, Glos GL6 0EJ. God brought creation into being out Three Somethings and One Unknowable Harold Stringer One of many gems in Brother Martin’s talks at Park Place direct representation, but more like a window, to help the was his rescue of the idea of Trinity, so often seen as point- contemplative gaze see through and beyond the imagery to a less juggling with arcane abstractions. I really liked deeper reality which cannot be expressed directly. Panikkar Martin’s analogy with the physics of sub-atomic particles. says that to treat ‘the Trinity’ as though it were actually The closer they’re examined, the more elusive they become, God, to worship or to die for, when in fact it’s a theory with no solidity, just interactions of ‘somethings’ that cannot (many rival theories) – that is nothing less than ‘iconolatry’. be pinned down. Relationships, not firm substance, lie at the He’s too polite to call it idolatry! heart of the material universe, and commonsense models we can visualise simply don’t apply. But as an icon for contemplation, Trinity can be most illuminating – whether as a concept or a visual icon like And this is what lies behind all the tangled theorising about Rublev’s famous and unashamedly literalistic three people in Trinity. At the very heart of reality – God – is relationship, conversation. It shows difference harmoniously interrelated between ‘somethings’ that are elusive and indefinable, at the very heart of things – the One in the many and the whether in the Godhead or in you and me. God is not some many in One; unity-in-diversity, of others and within our- monolithic individual, to be pinned down and defined by selves; the human and divine intimately interwoven; terms like ‘person’ or ‘of one substance’ or ‘three’. These opposites reconciled in the presence of a third way – matter are at best mere suggestive metaphors, and there’s no agreed and spirit, the temporal and eternal; deepest interior peace way of using them precisely, when applied to God (just look and the outgoing struggle of ‘love’s endeavour, love’s up the history of Trinitarian theology!). expense’; justice and mercy, power and love. The ultimate essence always eludes us; but Trinity as an icon for heart So we need to see Trinity in a different light, not as precise contemplation can bring alive to us something of the rich description, but as Raimon Panikkar suggests, as an icon. diversity, yet harmonious unity, of those insubstantial Icons use concrete images like people and mountains not for unknowables, whether in God, our neighbour or ourselves. 8 THE BEDE GRIFFITHS SANGHA NEWSLETTER

Learning to Meditate Rolf Sovik We are delighted that Dr Rolf Sovik within you. It is the movement of has agreed to write this basic intro- your breathing. The motion of the duction to meditation, the daily prac- respiratory system sustains life, and tice upon which Father Bede Griffiths awareness of breathing offers the placed such importance upon. If opportunity to feel the breath’s anyone has questions arising from cleansing and nourishing flow. this article, or about the practice of Smoothing and relaxing the breath meditation, please address these to leads to a deep sense of inner well- the editor. TG being.

In caves, under spreading trees, Ancient teachers divided the vast in secluded forests, and along yogic enterprise into two parts: the banks of rivers—in temples, efforts to collect the mind in concen- mosques, chapels, ashrams, and tration and efforts to disengage the mind from selfish attachments. Both notably, in homes—humanity’s these aims are accomplished in spiritual seekers have practiced Rolf Sovik - lotus position meditation. Concentration practices meditation. Ancient Indian require some sort of mental focus, teachers such as the divine tions of the mind. This is the key to an alambana or “support.” While Krishna, the Lord Buddha, meditation. sensations of breathing offer a good Patanjali, and Shankaracharya start, meditators often refine their left no doubt about the impor- Finally, there is within each individ- concentration further with the use of ual a dimension of experience lying a repetitive prayer or mantra. tance of meditating. Recently, beyond normal awareness. It is often contemporary teachers have likened to the ocean, the source from Non-attachment is the effort to disen- propelled an upsurge in it once which individual waves arise. The again. gage from desires and longings that ultimate aim of meditation is to trust- mislead us, offering false hopes for fully rest in that ocean of awareness happiness. Ultimately, meditators But despite the fresh interest in and bliss. meditation, its theory and practice acquire the ability to let distracting remain elusive. Some confuse thoughts come and go in meditation Meditation begins with physical still- without feeding them new energy. meditation with reflection, contem- ness. Stillness reduces muscle ten- plation, or prayer. Others have unre- This further strengthens concentra- sion and softens the mental grip we tion, while calming the mind. alistic expectations about it—antici- hold on our bodies. As stillness pating that meditation will quickly develops, tension becomes less silence mental activity. Still others Finally, the practice of meditation demanding and the body acquires a helps us trustfully surrender to God - use meditation to “space out.” What refreshing lightness and transparency. exactly is meditation and how is it not simply in meditation but in life. practiced? From the meditative point of view, Meditators are frequently depicted in God is within. “It is both near and cross-legged postures that require a To understand the basics, begin by far” say the texts. Trustful surrender good deal of flexibility. The aim of to God leads us to know the Self identifying four levels of human these postures is not to contort the experience: body, breath, mind, and within the self. This is the final aim body, but to rest it in a position that is of practice and the response to a call spirit. Each must be addressed in steady and comfortable. With prac- meditation. The body forms the out- for joy that perpetually resounds tice, cross-legged postures prove the within us. ermost layer of life. In meditation the most effective for sitting with the body is made comfortable and steady. head, neck, and trunk erect. But there Rolf Sovik is Spiritual Director of the Otherwise meditation will not have a are many postures that can substitute Himalayan Institute and the author of firm foundation. for sitting with crossed legs. Moving Inward: The Journey to Beginning practitioners often start Meditation* and co-author of Yoga: Life is a field of living energy: their practice lying down, to com- Mastering the Basics. Dr. Sovik is a termed prana in ancient Sanskrit, this pletely relax muscles and nerves. clinical psychologist and lives in field of energy is maintained by Buffalo, NY, USA breathing. In meditation, breathing is Later, in sitting postures, it may also brought to awareness and refined. be helpful to support the spine with *Moving Inward: The Journey to Meditation cushions, in a chair, or against a wall. can be obtained from: The Himalayan Still deeper, the mind or “inner Institute UK, 21 Humes Avenue, Hanwell, instrument” operates at a variety of As your posture relaxes, it will be London W7 2LJ Price £11 inc UK p&p. levels. Meditators develop strategies 020 8567 8889 enquiries@himalayanin- apparent to you that although you are stitute.org.uk for gradually mastering the opera- outwardly still, there is movement THE BEDE GRIFFITHS SANGHA NEWSLETTER 9 Recommended positions for Meditation In his book, Moving Inward: The Journey to Meditation* Rolf Sovik explains the necessity for a suitable position during meditation. The most important feature of this is a straight back with the trunk, neck and head erect - but it is equally important that the body is comfortable so that there are not physical constraints which distract from the most important inner aspect, and in which you can remain relaxed and still. It is also advisable that you do not adopt a habitual sitting posture. Traditionally the recommended posture is the lotus position with the knees on the ground, as demonstrated by Dr Sovik above, however, for those not used to this position or without the flexibility, it is preferable to choose one of these positions below.

Using a Chair. The Easy Pose. Using a Bench. Try to find a This is a Simple chair with a gentler meditation firm seat and version of the benches can the right lotus position be made or height to with the legs purchased. enable the loosely Tuck the feet knees to be crossed in under the straight out which you bench and from the hips can use have the and the feet cushions or thighs flat on the rolled straight floor and blankets to forward. pointing for- support the If necessary ward: sit away from the back so legs and lift your seat off the floor put an additional cushion on the that your upper body can support to a comfortable height. The back bench to add height. its own weight. If you need is unsupported. In each pose your hands can rest support for the back use cushions. on your thighs or knees or be nested together.

Sanskrit Corner Bija Mantra Ken Knight. [email protected] At the Park Place retreat the Sangha was entertained for in its earliest use a bija is the seed of a plant or a by Vena through her explanation and performance of runner of the fig tree. Therefore the seed sound of a classical Indian dance. During her talk she used the mantra is that within which all the potential power of term ‘bija mantra’ and this was new to most people. the mantra lies coiled up, ready to explode into con- sciousness. These seed sounds are allocated specific We will find the term frequently used in any teach- deities....these are essential powers.....and so a bija ings of the use of sound in Tantra Yoga, the Chakras mantra contains the single sound or syllable for a and Kashmiri Shaivism. However it is first helpful particular deity and when the psyche is released from to fully appreciate that in the Vedic traditions there is the grip of the ego, so then the power of that deity is a highly sophisticated understanding of sound and released. meaning, a sophistication continually refined and referred back to the original oral traditions of the A common bija mantra given through an initiation in ancient rishis. Central to the teachings of the rishis the West is the Sarasvati bija mantra. As we may who formulated the original mantras was ‘vag vai know already, Sarasvati is the goddess of knowledge paramam brahman - the Word is the Supreme Lord’. and the arts so this mantra could be used as a dedica- tion prior to our study. The seed syllables in this In relation to mantra meditation this means that we mantra are "bhreem" and "shreem" and the mantra allow the mantra to sound by itself, rather than we may be given as "Om shreem bhreem saraswat-yea sounding it in the mind which we do only to begin a namaha". If you go to this link you will hear this period of meditation, so then the mantra can reveal mantra its own power and meaning: hence the teaching ‘A http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G9gNfn2vzuA mantra is self revealing’. We have to learn how to remain still in mind and body so that we are able to For anyone interested in studying this topic further in listen to the Word, full of grace and truth. Kahmiri Shaivism, may I recommend a translation of the Shiva Sutras by Jaideva Singh, in particular the Each sound in the Sanskrit alphabet reveals a partic- verses on the matrikas which lists the powers gov- ular meaning and this sound is known as a bija sound erning each letter of the Sanskrit alphabet. 10 THE BEDE GRIFFITHS SANGHA NEWSLETTER Shakti - dimensions of Godhead Welcome. I am on a journey with- ascend amidst all the worldly identifi- Bhakti (feeling) leads to loves fulfil- in India, looking for other dimen- cations, to unshackle the ties that ment in the heart. United these two sions to support the inner journey keep us on the wheel of repetition. arouse shakti, which empowers our to Godhead. Like virtually all of To become fully conscious. To ability to realise and manifest Light. the readership, I have my become divine and human conjointly. To be Light in human form, incar- Christian ancestry. I am living in To become light. nate. And shakti lights our inner fire, India to absorb the truths abound- our own illumination. In Indian ter- ing in this collective conscious- Energy, or shakti, helps this unfold- minology, we can realise the Real ness, that suit my search and tem- ing process. This energy removes the (the Eternal), as opposed to the seem- perament. viels of maya. We gain ears that hear ing, the apparent. Consciousness and eyes that see. becomes our ground of being. There Like the wise Bede, I is enough fuel in the feel instinctively an tank for the task in opening into the sur- hand. render of the heart is greatly abetted by I feel a great confusion being in this land, in the legacy from our where the vibrations of shared Christian past - inner discovery are so when is inner power strong, and felt experi- safe? Especially when ence so less tampered nature in it's self-intelli- with. Of especial gent forms assists us, interest at this time to from within and with- me is shakti (self-intel- out? Does St. George ligent energy) as (in us) slay the dragon empowering the whole (life-force/kundalini), process of yogic reali- or adeptly co-play with sation. it? When is a witch not a witch? What is occult When we have our and what is the Divine gyan (jyana) (intellect) The River Ganges from Mount Kailash granting us a wider and bhakti (feeling) vision and ableness, a awake, this is akin to the psychic It seems to me that shakti is a way of larger hand and perhaps a greater channels of ida and pingala (left and the heart, of that aspect of existence brief? right nostril breath) being opened. that is called Ma, or the Divine Feminine. She is aroused when right- Like all our talents, we have to learn In yoga, it is when these channels ly approached. Above all, for the to use them generously and wisely. start to unite that harmony occurs - majority of us, this is done through and the third channel is awakened - bhava - living felt empathy. For a This for me is somehow easier learnt shushumna (the psychic expressway few, technical means of pranayama in India, where the feeling of separa- up the spine). This is shakti's pole or and mudra and bandha, etc is their tion from the whole of life is far less tree of life. Another expression for preferred way. experienced. India IS the great her is kundalini, when she is in Mother, where all, absolutely all, are potential, or coiled-up, waiting for In India many places are blessed with included. Inclusiveness is Her name the call of consciousness (Siva-auspi- this sacred energy. Amongst places and form - everything has a part to ciousness) to make her rise up. recently visited I can include the play, no matter where it sits in the Golden Temple of the Sikhs in hierarchy or scheme of things. In the ancient imagery of India this is Amritsar; Swami Sivananada's depicted as the cobra rising, it's hood riverside kutir (cott) in Rishikesh; Thus shakti is liberated. Thus we too like an all-seeing and all-protecting Hairakhan, where a sacred fire burns can become liberated. Born again halo around the seer's head. Or often and pure waters speak secret words; (jivan mukta) - while in the dead (the behind a yoni-lingam, a phallic Goraknath dhuni near Champavat, potentially inert body). India teaches. shaped stone sitting in a receptacle, Kumoani foothills - here timelessness There is so much to learn at first hand pointing towards both the cosmic cre- and spacelessness can be experienced here, even out on the street. ative force and the essential formless- in a most normal way! ness of spirit. Wishing all well, in our journey into Another way to look at shakti is as a the Light of Christ. This is our journey, the seemingly trinity. Jyana (intellect) leads to dis- impossible defiance of gravity, to cernment leads to wisdom known. Francis P Kundert THE BEDE GRIFFITHS SANGHA NEWSLETTER 11

Spirituality and our Mental Worldview Atmajyoti All the religions speak of the transitory and unreal nature the nature of the possessiveness and identification with of the phenomenal world and the need for detachment objects, emotions and abilities embedded within the struc- from objects and our own body, so as to discover the True ture of the English language. Self. This teaching gained real meaning for me when liv- ing in Sri Lanka in 2006, working with survivors of the After the tsunami, despite the terrible grief, there seemed tsunami and even, surprisingly, in learning something of to be a level of acceptance that nothing which was lost the language. Our world view is intrinsically embedded was ever completely owned. As one local priest said to in our language which in turn, it seems, may affect our me: “Nature spoke to us and said, ‘Nothing is permanent. spirituality and the way we live our lives. Everything has to come to an end’. People sacrificed themselves to give this message to the world; I hope and There is one aspect of the Singala language of Sri Lanka pray that we will see that side of the tsunami.” that struck me. It is this: in the grammatical structure of Singala, when referring to possessions, abilities or emo- As we approach the fourth anniversary of the tsunami, we tions, one does not use the equivalent of ‘I am’ or ‘I may reflect on the great sacrifice of so many lives. Can have’, but rather ‘this object, ability or emotion has come we honour their lives in any greater way than to attempt, to me.’ Just as the object, ability or emotion has come to in our own small but manageable steps, to move a little me, so too will it go away. I am not the emotional self. closer to Peace and our True Self? For me, that is by try- Whereas in English we would say, for example, ‘I am ing to practice something of the spiritual approach taught angry’, in Singala, the expression would be ‘anger has to me by the survivors of the tsunami, to be mindful of the come to me’ (and likewise, anger will go from me). mental language I use, so that I too may draw closer to the Similarly, abilities such as physically agility, artistic flair Real by being aware that everything in the world is pass- or mathematical ability has come to me, and so too one ing including this body, its abilities and emotions. Each day those abilities will go. I am not the body or the able- day is a day to be lived for now and in communion, in self. And as for possessions, just as they come, so too one some way, with others. day they will go. “Through the tsunami I realized that most people try to The nature of the Singala language means that in almost live forever. They collect things; there is no need. If we every sentence uttered, people are reminded that they are have something, we must share it with others and be not the emotional self, they are not the mind or body and friendly with one another. We cannot tell if we will die that all things are passing. We can see the link between tomorrow, that is why we must live today.” (Buddhist language and Eastern spirituality. We can also see the monk). limitations which can be imposed on our spiritual life by Hermits in Company Jane Lichnowski Recently, I found a diary entry from of the Hermits retreats. ‘Hermits in Company’ the early 1990’s. Following a silent retreat I had written how much I was We meet, mostly in silence, free to Silent Retreat beginning to value ‘being in silence use the unstructured time as we wish, May 1 – 4th 2009 with others’. Since then I have grown gathering together for times of medi- to value this more and more, and also tation, chanting and reading of scrip- For the Spring Sangha retreat we to realise that I am not the only one ture from different traditions; the are returning to the Stanton who feels this way! The ‘Hermits in meaning of this experience, unique to Company’ retreat, which grew out of each of us, being silently shared. Guildhouse, a beautiful centre the Sangha’s Spring Silent Retreat ‘Hermits’ is a ‘DIY retreat’, in the near Broadway, Worcestershire. held at the Screen in Wales, offers sense that participants contribute to Set on a hillside, it has stunning just such an opportunity. readings at prayer times, on a particu- views towards the Welsh moun- lar theme and help with whatever tains. Further details of the In her book, ‘The Cave of the Heart’ simple catering and housekeeping retreat will be in the Spring on the life of Swami Abhishiktananda, activities as are needed. Newsletter. For more information Shirley du Boulay describes the or to register an interest please month he spent in solitude in a The next retreat will be in May 2009. Temple of Silence. Thus ‘deliberately (See below). Since it has proved very contact Jane Lichnowski placing himself in conditions likely to popular over the last few years fre- Tel 01285 – 651381 or email lead to the experience of advaita.’ quently being over subscribed, we [email protected] Placing ourselves in conditions that hope to be able to organise two More about the centre can be allow us to slow and quieten, and per- Hermits retreats in 2010. found at haps help us enter a deeper relation- Jane Lichnowski www.stantonguildhouse.org.uk ship with ourselves, each other and God lies at the heart of the intention 12 THE BEDE GRIFFITHS SANGHA NEWSLETTER Caldey Silent Retreat September Our theme for the week was “Holy Water - Holy morning to create a heart on the beach. It is there still, Wells”. Well, the wet stuff fell in unholy amounts and locals say that on misty nights across the water in all the week beforehand, and Father Senan (Caldey Tenby you can hear the echoes of our chanting. Guestmaster) rang to say that our planned orderly departure at 15:00 on Saturday was cancelled. The There was also a jigsaw left out for anyone to add a bit only boat that week would be 08:30 Saturday, God to when the fancy took them. At the end of the week we agreed it was a perfect metaphor for our willing, weather spiritual journeys. There was a big and rather permitting. lovely picture somewhere, but it was hard to Amazingly, twelve see where some bits fitted, and some bits may of the retreatees have been mislaid (around the time of the managed, at 48 Council of Nicea ?), and like our journeys it hours notice, to remains unfinished. reschedule their Arriving on Caldey Nana’s Cave Shrine Our journey back was in doubt lives, change tick- The Beach Heart. ets, find beds or for a few days, but sofas in or near the power of prayer Tenby, and catch prevailed again and that 08:30 boat. it was accomplished The remaining four in time without any reached the island on problems apart from Monday, and the island, the usual tug on our the silence, and the heartstrings as we Shantivanam rhythm of sailed away. the day worked its magic. The group identity, forged We think next year’s in silence, came together. theme should be We greeted the dawn with the Guyatri Mantra from “Holy Sunshine : a hill overlooking the beach: the readings (inspired Holy Warmth”. by our theme) were the best ever: bhajans and Martin Neilan chants rang out joyously in the guesthouse three times a day; and Namajapa (Bede’s favourite) ended our day at 21:00. REJOICE SINGING IN THE RAIN Love you rain, love you lots In between we had activities making mandalas and As do my veggie plots prayer beads (thanks to Aileen): talks from the monas- Which feed me day-in and day-out tic residents (thanks to Brother David, Brother Gildas, You are my companion at night and Sister Dolores): talks from Bede himself (record- when you dance on my roof ed) : walking meditations on the beach: an expedition You feed the streams that refresh me to the shrine at Nana’s cave (probably once a sacred And feed the well that I drink from When you are gone your smell lingers on the trees place of our Neolithic forebears): feeding ducklings And I lick you from roses in the morning (eight hatched during the week): and a candlelit You fill the rivers that shape the land evening of Taizé chants in the atmospheric medieval Leaving a rainbow as you play with the sun priory church. For the Taizé evening we collected flat But, Oh please stop raining on Caldey & me stones for the beach to use as candle bases to protect …..just for a bit. the wooden choir stalls. Since stones hold the vibra- tions of chants and prayers we reused the stones next Inspired by the conditions in one of the Group THE BEDE GRIFFITHS SANGHA NEWSLETTER 13

Retreat with Brother Martin St Antoine L’Abbaye 24th-30th August “The Truth will make you free” The Truth will make you free! It sounds to me as an urgent invitation, a strong appeal, to quit all our own clo- I recently participated in a seminar with Brother Martin. sures, to push away the walls we have built, and to make It took place in the beautiful medieval village of Saint- larger our own internal house. It’s a matter of taking the Antoine l’Abbaye, located at the foot of the Vercors road all over again, to become a researcher, an explorer, (French Alps), and was organized by the “Arche de Saint- all our life, and make Jesus our only goal. As Martin said, Antoine”. The Arche has been created by Lanza Del when a believer finds the limits of his belief, he becomes Vasto, and organizes various a true disciple, and will search for the real truth, “as the “non violence and spirituali- bee collects the nectar to make honey”. ty” seminars throughout the year. What is the truth? The only answer is to try to go to the source and so, beyond our own belief. We have to try to The seminar was very well go further, beyond our own individualism, our collective prepared, and each day was mind, and try to reach the next steps, which are the uni- structured with Br. Martin’s versal and then, the unitary mind. talks, periods of meditation, yoga lessons with Claire, and “I am the way, the truth and the life”. That’s the way of after dinner, we had music our internal free- with our singer Chantal. Br. dom. So as to say John Martin was always very one day, and this careful to our expectations, totally: “God and I and I really appreciated his are ONE” or in presence and his message. another way “God What I found particularly is in me and I am in liberating, was the way he Brother Martin by the St- God”. took each one of us, where he Antoine Abbey and the town of or she is, at this present St-Anthony, Isere, France. moment. Sylvaine As the 33 other participants, I was expecting much Blancheton of the seminar and at the same time I was feeling September 5, 2008 quite open to any things that would happen. For Session Arche de Saint-Antoine – Saint-Antoine l’Abbaye me, there were no doubts that we would receive more than (Isère, France) expected! In fact, we have really lived radiant days, with a strong and liberating human and spiritual experience. The Abbey, Sutton Courtney The Abbey can be seen to occupy that ‘holy ground’ walked over by Moses on Mount Horeb when he encoun- tered in the burning bush both the God of Eternity (‘I am who I am’) and the God of History (‘ the God of their ancestors . The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob’). It is where the tradition of religion and the universal spiritual- ity of the transformation of consciousness meet in dia- Dear Sangha logue. During the John Main Seminar in New Harmony in One feature of the current programme is a long 1991, Father Bede talked about the renewal of contempla- weekend of Buddhist-Christian encounter with Ajahn tive life in the West, and new ways of contemplative com- Candasiri and Elizabeth West. This takes place between munity life. The Abbey Sutton Courtenay, (near Oxford) Friday 28 November and Monday 1st December. fits well with his call for new ways of contemplative com- See www.theabbey.uk.com for details. munity living. With love It was established in 1980 as the New Era Centre and is Adrian Rance now a community of six (three men and three women), all following different spiritual paths, which has the purpose Adrian has been Director of the Abbey since Sept 2007. of being ‘an open and welcoming spiritual community, which seeks to contribute to the transformation of con- Note: The Sangha is to hold its ‘Sing into Spring Bhajan sciousness in the world.’ and Chant Day’ here on 28th February 2009 - see page 15. THE BEDE GRIFFITHS SANGHA NEWSLETTER 14 News from the Bede Griffiths Charitable Trust Two New School premises built by the generosity of UK donations, through the BGCT About 15km from Shantivanam is a and said to us, in effect, that new reminder of its connections with all he needed was the money. the UK – a nursery and primary school It was one of the best pieces of named after a student from Chigwell marketing I have ever experi- School who was killed aged 18 in enced and it was clear to many 2005. The Tim Pruss Memorial there that this project simply School in Inungur was built with dona- had to go ahead. Within tions from the UK to the Bede Griffiths three days, Chris and Sue Charitable Trust (BGCT). The Trust Collingwood, who organised passed the donations to BLESS, a char- the trip and are trustees of ity run in India by Senthil Kumar, BGCT, were able to tell whom many readers will know and Senthil that sufficient dona- whose education was arranged by Fr tions had been raised for the Children from the school in the play ground. Bede on the understanding that he nursery school to proceed. Five ground. The primary school is now would use it for the benefit of local months later Chris and Sue took their finished and, when I go on my third communities. Inungur is amongst the family to India and opened the school. visit, that school will be opened by poorest of those communities and Tim’s mother and father. Although Senthil is certainly fulfiling his under- By the time of my second visit to Mary went on the trip in February 2007 taking. Shantivanam a year later the school this will be their first visit to the two was thriving and much in schools named after their much loved demand partly, I think, because son. lessons are taught in English and, whether this is a good thing Greville Norman or not, parents see this as a sub- [email protected] stantial advantage for their chil- Hon Treasurer BGCT dren’s future. So, also by this time, Senthil was well advanced URGENT SPONSORSHIP with his plans for a primary OPPORTUNITY school on the same site and, fol- Craeg Lawence from Chigwell The Tim Pruss Memorial School in Inunga lowing further substantial dona- School is running the New York I first got involved when, in February tions through BGCT, he was Marathon in November for the 2007, Senthil took a party of visitors told again that this could go ahead. BLESS project for which he is mostly from Chigwell School to the Money was also donated for buses to aiming to raise £2000. small building in which a kindergarten bring children from neighbouring vil- He can be sponsored online on: lages to the schools and, quite separate- was being run and to the site opposite www.justgiving.com/creaglawrence where he planned that the new schools ly from the Trust, Princes Mead School, whose support for the project or a sponsorship form can be down- would be built. The site was laid out; loaded at 'Other Events' on: he explained what was needed, how is very long-standing, gave the funds www.bedegriffithssangha.org.uk BLESS planned to get the school built required to layout and equip the play-

Trip to Anbaham Project in Muttom – May 2008 Extracts from a report from Carmel Cunningham My return to the Anbaham project at Muttom gave me that – Selvi’s well-equipped office with computers for the chil- sense of joy that comes from seeing the positive creation that dren, the study room with desks, the sewing room with can be made from an active response to human need. sewing machines, the children’s room with their compart- When we arrived at our destination, even though it was late ments for their possessions, the prayer room and guest in the evening, I was struck immediately by the changes that rooms. And the garden! What a profusion of trees, plants had transpired in the last two years. I was awestruck at the and flowers. I am told that Jill has been a veritable Charley sight of the impressive structure that had risen from the Dimmock – with her enthusiasm in buying and planting trees building site I left in June 2006. and plants.

I walked up the steps (over tiled floors) into the central Anhaban Project is a place not only giving that little bit extra courtyard area. I looked up at the second floor which was a to local children and families in need but also providing mere dream when I had been with Sr Selvi before. Work on much needed employment for the area. I feel enriched by this level is obviously still on-going and I look forward to my stay here and see the positive long-term consequences of the finished product with completed rooms, balcony, and on human beings responding wholeheartedly to what started out top of this floor, a flat roof with another small balcony. My as tragedy and I am glad to have been a small part of it. delight increased on seeing the developments in every room 15 THE BEDE GRIFFITHS SANGHA NEWSLETTER Sangha News, Retreats and Resources The Sangha Working Group OTHER EVENTS From time to time members hold events that may be of interest to oth- The day to day practical running of the Sangha is ers. At the editorial discretion of the working group we are happy to done by the Working Group which meets several make these known. However, we need to point out that The Bede times a year in Cirencester. If you are interested in Griffiths Sangha Working Group has not endorsed these events nor can it be held responsible for their organisation or content. becoming involved please contact Jane Lichnowski. 1st-2nd November 08 -The Teaching of Non Duality in the Tel 01285 651381 or [email protected] Sufi Writings of Rumi and Ibn Al Arabi with Ken Knight. 17th-19th April 09 - One Spirit, a Christan - Hindu Meeting Point with Ma Tureea a Christian nun who is Sangha Advent Retreat also a Swami and Swami Nityamuktananda. The Birth of Christ in the Soul For further information phone Annette 01568 770436 The Ammerdown Centre 12th-14th December 08 [email protected] B+B available Once again the Sangha will be meeting together Meditation Group in Paris. at Advent at the beautiful Ammerdown Centre, Groupe de méditation à Paris. Radstock, Nr Bath, to consider an Advent theme in Do you live in or near Paris? Are you interested in joining a small group to meet regularly for meditation, in the spirit of preparation for the celebration of Christmas. Shantivanam? If so, please contact Julia Tompson on See booking Forms, with full details with this Newsletter, 01 30 53 11 89 or email [email protected]. or download a form from www.bedegriffithssangha.org.uk or contact Victoria Glazier on 01453 839488 God, Energy and the Field [email protected] In 1989, in his prophetic book ‘A New Vision of Reality’, Father Bede acknowledged that the new paradigm of thinking Sing into Spring - Bhajan and Chant Day within science and psychology would have a profound and 28th February 2009 enlightening impact upon the traditional belief structures of religions. In this new book ‘God, Energy and the Field’, The Abbey, Sutton Courtney, near Oxford. Sangha member Father Adrian Smith has brilliantly presented This Bhajan and Chant Day is to be lead by long time an updated synthesis of the latest scientific and psychological Sangha Member Caroline MacKenzie who is a talented thinking which, he suggests, might offer perceptions of and enthusiastic artist and singer who has spent lot of Ultimate Reality that are “more meaningful for our day, thus time in India deeply immersed in the relationship between enabling the reader to acquire a new kind of relationship with Hindu and Christian spirituality. The day will include God”. He suggests that Christanity is taking meditation and short readings from both traditions. a new direction “going inwards instead of outwards” and anticipates a foreseeable time This promises to be an enjoyable and enriching day. when “religion is replaced by a deep spiritu- A chance to sing, learn more about the chants and ality issuing from humanity’s entering into a bhajans we know and to learn new ones. We can also higher state of consciousness”. A compelling hear how they relate to spirituality, where they come from and challenging read. in India and how they relate to the western context. Adrian B Smith O Books. Pb £9.99 If you would like to come or find out more details please contact Jane Lichnowski 01285 651381 BOOKS FROM THE SANGHA. or [email protected] Beyond the Darkness Shirley du Boulay’s definitive biography ‘Hermits in Company’ Silent Retreat of Father Bede Griffiths. May 1 – 4th 2009 The Four O’Clock Talks See full details page 11. Transcripts of Brother Martin’s daily talks at Shantivanam, recorded and presented by Atmajyoti Suggested donation of £7.00 each to cover UK P & P. Sangha Summer Seminar Cheques made out to “Bede Griffiths Sangha” to: Park Place Pastoral Centre Timothy Glazier, 2 Tynings Road, Nailsworth, GL6 0EJ. 17th-19nd July 2009. Details in Next News Letter FROM THE WCCM A Celebration of the 100th Anniversary of the BOOKS, DVD’S AND CASSETTES OF FATHER BEDE AND BOOKS AND TAPES ON MEDITATION Birth of Swami Abhishiktananda Ask for complete list of books, CD’s, Videos and DVD’s. Gaunts House, Dorset 15th to 18th July 2010. MEDIO MEDIA Further details from Hilary Knight St Mark's, Myddelton Square, London EC1R 1XX [email protected] [email protected] Call Jan Dunsford on 020 7278 2070 THE BEDE GRIFFITHS SANGHA NEWSLETTER 16 Regional and Overseas Sangha Contacts For Sangha and Newsletter Contacts see page 2 Overseas contacts If any one would like to have their names removed Argentina Magdelena Puebla. or added as local contacts please let us know. [email protected] 00542204761641 England Australia Andrew Howie [email protected] Cornwall: Penzance - Swami Nityamuktananda East St Kilda - Samantha Semmens 01736 350510 [email protected] Devon: Totnes - Susan Hannis. 01803 867416 Chile Carlos Carranza. [email protected]. [email protected] Dorset: Michael Giddings 07810 366860 or Denmark Vicky Lasheras: [email protected] [email protected] Eire Michael Woods +35 312 888075 Essex: Revd. Chris Collingwood 020 8501 5771 France Nerte Chaix [email protected] : Timothy and Victoria Glazier Paris: Julia Tompson on 01 30 53 11 89 01453 839488 email [email protected]. Hereford and Shropshire Annette Criswell 01568 770436 Germany Sabine Deller [email protected] [email protected] India Br. Martin: [email protected] Hertfordshire Graham Thwaits. 01279 834315 Italy Mario la Floresta [email protected] Kent: Canterbury, Jill Hemmings 01227 752871 Malta Godwin Genovese [email protected] London N4 - Ann O’Donoghue 0207 359 1929 New Zealand Kevin Moran, Christchurch London SE (Kent) - Hilary Knight 0168 986 1004 [email protected] Middlesex Pinner. Catherine Widdicombe USA Florida - Michael Spillane 020 8866 2195 [email protected] [email protected] Oklahoma - Carolyn Cowan: Norfolk: Chris Smythe 01493 664725 [email protected] Northants: Henry Worthy 01604 513032 Nevada - Jackie Greedy 775 883 0854 Somerset: Bath - Kevin Tingay 01761 470249 Big Sur - Father Cyprian Consiglio Staffs: Stoke on Trent - Sr Sophia 01782 816036 [email protected] Suffolk: Wendy Mulford 01728 604169 W. Sussex: Gillian Maher 01444 455334 Chichester: Therese O’Neill 01730 814879 Meditation Groups Worcs Nick & Mary Saddler. 01386 751443 Gloucestershire: Nailsworth. Timothy and Victoria Glazier Yorks: Barnsley: Margaret Cadnam 01453 839488 Mondays 6.30pm 01226 217042 Group Hertfordshire: Bishop Stortford. Graham Thwaits. 01279 834315 Thursdays 6.30pm Northern Ireland London : SE (Kent) - Hilary Knight 0168 986 1004 Ballyhornan: Stan Papenfus 02844 841451 Wednesdays 7.30. SW (Barnes) Stefan Reynolds 07930679905 Scotland [email protected] Wednesdays. Aberdeen: Angelika Monteux 01224 867409 Middlesex: Pinner. Catherine Widdicombe Glasgow: Steve Woodward 01355 224937 [email protected] Fridays 8.00pm Easter Ross: Revd George Coppen 01862 842381 Northants: Henry Worthy 01604 513032 [email protected] Thurs at 8 p.m. Surrey: Woking. Kath Higgens 01483 833101 Wales Wednedays. 5.30pm West Wales: Martin and Aileen Neilan 01834 871 433 Sussex: Chichester. Therese O’Neill 01730 814879 Mid Wales: Montgomery - Jonathan Robinson 2nd Wed of each month. 01588 620779 Arundel. Mary Corbyn 01903 882508 Holywell - Philip Francis 01352 711620 Tuesdays. Yorkshire: Mirfield. Margaret Cadnam 01226 217042 Channel Islands Jersey: 1st Thurs of each month Sean Arnold. 01534 747643. WCCM Groups WCCM contact - Kim Nataraja [email protected] [email protected] 020 7727 6779 www.bedegriffithssangha.org.uk