Meditatio Newsletter April 2016 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 40 No 1; April 2016
Three years of the You have a message: London Meditatio Centre “Let’s meditate” Since 2013 the Meditatio Centre has hosted retreats, workshops, talks, art exhibitions, bodywork, music for meditators from the UK and overseas (p. 6-7)
Photo by: Mike Lau_ via Visualhunt / CC BY-NC-SA Meditators in China and Singapore are using mobile messaging apps to coordinate virtual meditation groups and distribute readings. Can technology raise the spiritual awareness of a distracted world? One of the regular webcasts transmitted from the London Meditatio Centre connecting the World Community (p.8)
Laurence 2 Freeman 10 News 11 Infocus The fullness of life from A report on Meditation with Joseph Pang, a group leader within the great peace of Children in the Caribbean from Hong Kong, describes
This issue This eternal Easter island of Antigua the path of meditation changing his life 2 Meditatio Newsletter April 2016
A letter from Laurence Freeman, OSB
The Great Peace different meaning in the new experi- stress feeds and grows off itself. Then Dearest Friends, ence of life we call Resurrection. we are deceived – usually by mam- The danger is, that in speaking of mon – into thinking that the more It was a lovely spring afternoon these mysteries of faith that revolve stressed we are the closer we are in London, warm with just the edge at the heart of Christian life we sound coming to the great idol of Success. of winter left. I had not seen Calum, to others a bit out of touch with real- A century ago the most civilized my young godson, for some time ity. And sometimes Christians can, in nations of the world were in the mid- and took him out for lunch and a fact, sound like promoters of a won- dle of ‘The Great War’ to end all wars walk by the river. He brought with derful holiday resort that they haven’t that resulted in thirty-eight million him the camera that his sister had quite yet visited for themselves. In military and civilian casualties. Taking passed down to him. He had become fact, if we have been touched by Res- a short breather to re-militarise, the absorbed in its video function. So urrection, we are in touch with real- ensuing peace of Versailles that was he was filming everything that we ity, ‘the solid reality’, as St John puts it, typical of ‘peace as the world gives it’, passed by on the street and, when that ‘is Christ’. led to a new world war that cost up we got down to the river Thames I was recently speaking with a class to eighty million lives amounting to sparkling in the sunshine, he went of MBA students who had started to three percent of the human family at wild with excitement. Swinging the learn to meditate. Many of them said that time. camera in experimental manoeuvers Whether it’s the death-lust of he chased after a flock of ducks and war or the tragedy of unhappy lives back again to capture an endless sup- (...) the conversation is blighted by the diseases of affluence, ply of new scenes. There was nothing living with and keeping why is it we find the gift of life so hard not interesting enough to film in the to accept? Why does the great peace beautiful light of the day. Everything company with God seem so elusive? Out of the new life shone with the wonder of the world’s that filled the risen Jesus with the ever-surprising diversity. Life flooded they wanted to meditate because it playful love of the Holy Spirit he has through him with abundance and offered them a way of dealing with breathed his peace into us. His physi- excitement. He was radiant and free- stress. The depth meaning of medita- cal respiration ceased on the cross. spirited with all the colours of life. tion, of life itself, had been fore-short- He breathed his last and gave up his And it was vitalizing to be playing the ened by this great and now universal spirit. But this plunged him irrevoca- life-game with him. blockage to real life. I was struck by bly into the inner breath of God, the And it was Easter. As it always is Eas- the depth of this problem, the preva- life-cycle that over-rides the cycles ter. The important theology of Easter lence of the social malaise we call of death and rebirth. He entered the is that once it happens it never stops stress – the anxiety and damage to source and return-point of all that happening. To symbolize that liturgi- health it causes, the enemy of all the exists. From this inner breath of the cally the church extends the day of joys of life, breeder of fear and anger. eternal Easter he breathes the great Easter Sunday for eight days and the Of course life is stressful. It has a peace into the human heart at the season to forty. ‘Ordinary time’ which visible shelf life that changes daily. point where we are one with each follows Pentecost can never be ordi- Anything that is unpredictable, like life, other in a common humanity. nary again. On the other hand what has to deal at best with probabilities. On Bere Island this year the medi- is extraordinary is that it does remain Anything that shows us that nothing is tators on the Holy Week retreat took ordinary. We do not become astral certain until uncertainty has been fully time again to listen to the story of beings. We go back to this life to live accepted will ever be easy. the death and resurrection of Jesus. it in a new way, discovering its new- The problem is not stress itself, The time it took was again richly re- ness afresh continually. We remain then, but whether we understand paid with a clearer understanding of delightfully embodied and thrillingly the stressful aspects of life from with- time and the gift-nature of life which mortal. Death, the great threat to hu- in the great peace. Or, whether we Easter is all about. It comes to us as a man happiness, takes on a wholly experience only stress and find that story. It is above all a story. Christian Meditatio Newsletter April 2016 3
scriptures are not a string of abstract lives. Meditation brings us many ben- the church’s course. They wake us truths plucked from real life. They are efits and fruits. One of the greatest from the sleep inflicted on the hard a certain, amazingly intimate way of of these is that meditation teaches of heart and the self-righteous. They telling a story which plays out in the how to read the gospels in a way that restore us - as the same ancient hom- lives of all those listening – both in draws our whole being into the per- ily I just quoted puts it- to the new their inner lives and their outer lives. son of Jesus, not only as an historical life that fills us with the great peace, Once we have opened our heart to figure but as a personal and actual when we allow it to: this story, we feel an integration and presence. I command you: Awake, harmonizing of the inner and the out- For I in you and you in me sleeper, I have not made you to er – a new simplicity. We see in a new together we are one undivided be held a prisoner in the under- way the unfolding of our own lives. person. (From an ancient homily world. Arise from the dead; I am * for Holy Saturday) the life of the dead. Arise, O man, We are in conversation with God. Christian thought is like a conver- work of my hands, arise, you who In daily use ‘conversation’ means a sation that continually integrates all were fashioned in my image. chat, an exchange of ideas through the reflections and contributions that Rise, let us go hence; for you in words or other symbols of meaning. have been made from ancient times me and I in you, together we are But this is a more modern definition, until today. It is always fresh and yet its one undivided person. coming into use as culture began to richness is always growing. We are part As long as we listen to the story shift away from its spiritual balance to- wards an excessively rational and out- er-directed perspective. From about the 16th century it came to mean only ‘talk’. ‘Conversation’, however, means literally a turning towards something with another. In other words, keeping company with, living with, playing the game of life with… The New Testament is not a sutra. Later there did come Christian sutras, great intellectual reflections and ca- thedrals of the mind, which help to interpret the conversation, the tell- ing of the story which is the heart- mind of the gospel. The gospels are simpler than abstract truths. They are strikingly direct, intimate tellings of of it and as it changes, it changes us. from the outside, only as observers a story that is both cosmic and per- Many of us will have felt this as we and sceptics, we will think that the sonal. read of Pope Francis’ deep and simple new life it speaks about is a return We don’t read the gospels only insights into the mystery of Christ. to the Garden of Eden. But who re- at Easter. Throughout the year the ‘Mercy’ is his signature phrase, espe- ally wants to go back to Eden? The ‘lectio’ of these texts should be part cially to some church leaders who garden from which the Resurrection of our daily prayer-practice. But we were felt to be becoming increas- reaches into humanity and changes always read them in the light of the ingly, judgmental and punitive. With us is not a lost paradise but the king- Easter truth. Christian identity and wise gentleness Francis is delivering dom of God. This is a special kind of the Christ-centeredness of our medi- one of the periodic prophetic body place - neither here nor there, in us or tation depend in part on the place blows to the institutional frame of among us but one that is an experi- of this way of prayer in our spiritual the church that we all need to reset ence that simply and mercifully is. 4 Meditatio Newsletter April 2016
So, the conversation is not talking who have already started the conver- ness. They are opposites yet perform to or thinking about but living with sation with silence. But for many oth- the same function in the grammar of and keeping company with God. And ers it can still suggest an image of a meaning. The divine kenosis, or self- so, it is at its fullest in deep silence. In ‘personal God’ which is suspect and emptying, produced the incarnation silence we are not trying to look at even offensive. It is true that this im- of God in which the fullness of the the risen Jesus, because then, as out- age of God can be abused. Personal, godhead was able to dwell embod- siders, we will always fail to recognise in human terms, can also mean jeal- ied. We cannot recognise the risen him. But when we are seeing him in ous, possessive and controlling. It is Jesus unless we have looked into and the same glance of love as that with an image that religious people in the entered the empty tomb of our own which he sees us, then we recognise three sister religions of the Word, all heart. It may sound metaphysical him as we are brought to full self- born in the same troubled and violent theology but it is proven in our hu- knowledge. part of the world, sometimes claim to man psychology and in daily experi- Resurrection shows us the way be their own exclusively. Twisted out ence, including the daily practice of we need (and want) to follow into of its true meaning in the silence of meditation, of poverty of spirit. As for the conversation with silence itself. the great peace, the idea of a per- the jeering sailors in the big boat (of (‘Nothing is so much like God as si- sonal God can infantalise us, become reason) the discovery of emptiness in lence’, the mystics tell us). To start this a source of oppression in the power the small craft (the egoless self) leads conversation is to activate the seed structures of wealth and politics and us to silence. of contemplation planted at birth, even a justification for the massacre The obvious question reputedly our original act of existence. Every of innocents. posed to the Buddha once – what do follower of Jesus is therefore called Yet it is still the greatest of gifts – you get of meditation? – is best an- to be a contemplative, just as every provided we know how to share it. swered by ‘nothing. But I lose a lot.’ spouse is called to tread into deep- A Taoist ruler once said you should Today we need to cultivate this er union. The levels of silence – of rule an empire the same way you quality of emptiness and silence if we tongue, body, mind and heart – are cook a little fish. (In one of the great are to survive the impossible contra- the great milestones of life and - for Resurrection appearances by the Sea dictions on which we have built our the meditator – this is one with the of Tiberias, Jesus does just this). In an- world. These contradictions torment journey of our daily practice. As these and threaten us – irresponsible af- levels become deeper we become One day we even learn fluence and the endless exploitation simpler and more childlike. One day how to play the game of the earth, nonstop communica- we even learn how to play the game tion and increasing loneliness, luxury of life, once again with unlimited joy. of life, once again with and increasing anxiety. The perennial For the contemplative Christian unlimited joy value of the wisdom of contempla- prayer is not, essentially, speaking tion has been drowned out by a com- to God, or thinking about God. It is other Taoist wisdom story the crew pulsion to put utilitarian or commer- about entering into a silent conver- of a big boat saw a small craft sail- cial values on everything whether sation with God through the mind of ing directly into its path. They leant a price-tag is relevant or not. Doing Christ. It is not about opposing our over the side and shouted insults to this distorts the value of everything. will to God’s or negotiating a settle- those in the boat approaching them. A young lawyer told me recently ment over our differences of opinion Then they realised the small boat was how the law firm where he worked about what is good for us. It is about empty and fell silent. was systematically squeezing all hu- an active, whole-hearted surrender Empty and silent like the tomb of manity out of the work by reducing to the will of God who knows our Jesus on the Sunday morning, the every fifteen minutes of the day to a needs with an intimate and unique new sabbath. The empty tomb is billable slot; he had to account even love because he is part of our human- recorded in each of the gospel per- for his visits to the bathroom. At the ity, sharing with all our woundedness spectives on the Resurrection. Find- end of such a process we will find not and complexity. ing it empty disturbed and mystified emptiness, which is the correlative of As Christians of our time this kind the disciples, and Mary wept. Yet fullness, but nothingness and a vacu- of language may speak best to those emptiness is the correlative of full- um of meaninglessness. Meditatio Newsletter April 2016 5
‘Remembrance of God certainly primarily about thinking of the past. ence in which we are mutually, recip- brings comfort to all hearts’, says the It is bringing the most meaningful rocally, present to one another and at Qu’ran. The basis for the dhikr form of essence of events that first happened the deepest level with God. As Jesus prayer in Islam is the interior repeti- in the past into the present and mak- was present to the Father and the Fa- tion of short phrases or the Names of ing them present now. The theologi- ther to him, he became present to us God. Its meaning is to remain in the cal term for this is anamnesis (‘do this by drawing humanity into the most mindful presence of God while per- in remembrance of me’). In medical intimate presence of God to Himself forming the most ordinary actions of vocabulary the word refers to a pa- which we try to describe as the Trin- the day, like rising from bed or walk- tient’s complete and accurate recall of ity. In this ever-present presence, ing. In the same way, John Cassian his condition. Spiritually it means re- past and future meet. The fear of urged the desert monks, and we their capitulating our past into the present. forgetting, of death itself, fades. The experience of life in the boundless fullness which, as children, we were able to enjoy on occasion, returns in full force. Before Easter this year we let go of Eileen Byrne, a beloved member and teacher in our UK and global com- munity. I first met her when I was a member of the lay community at the first Christian Meditation centre in London. She was an important link with the foundation of the Montreal community and later became Direc- tor of the Centre in London. She was quintessentially English but also a citizen of the world and filled with in- satiable artistic and cultural curiosity. Eileen Byrne When we were in Montreal she once successors, to recite their formula, or There is no greater fear than the drove me, still a monk in training, mantra, while performing any kind fear of forgetting. In dementia, the up to the country and a very active of work or service, or on a journey, intimate spouse of the person suf- diocesan youth camp which I rather answering the calls of nature, while fering from this dying of the brain in dreaded going to. As she drove away falling asleep and on waking up. So, the one they have loved for a lifetime, she shouted back to me in a loud rather than being an esoteric prac- watches their loved one progressive- voice: ‘Laurence, remember you are a tice for a spiritual elite the prayer of ly fade from reality and withdraw. A contemplative!’ Eileen, I try… the heart is intended for all as a very very deep act of love is necessary to May she rest in the great peace and simple and ordinary way. It is an im- stay re-membered to someone who may all whose paths she smoothed mediate, unmediated, way of experi- is apparently losing even their mem- towards a contemplative knowledge encing that emptiness is the way to ory of you as they become dis-mem- of the risen Jesus thank God for the the fullness of God. In this incarnate bered. Perfect love alone can cast out gift she has been to us all. spirituality of daily life, where a con- this fear. Happy Easter! templative discipline becomes truly To deal with the inevitable fading With much love part of our life and connects the sur- of memory – which begins as soon as face and depth levels of conscious- memory begins to function – we need ness, we discover that learning and to understand the present as more living are the same. than the time shown on a digital clock. Remembering. Spiritually, this is Easter means the experience of not a nostalgic exercise. It is not even presence, the continuum of real pres- Laurence Freeman OSB 6 Meditatio Newsletter April 2016
Special
Three years of The Meditatio Centre: a premier location in London to engage the spiritual life “One feels a warmth and grace here” By Prof. Mark Burrows, Ph.D.*
Christianna Mitchell’s exhibition opening, February 2016
templative way, Thomas Merton and It is easy to sing the praises of the “A space to connect Zen, or the enigmatic poetry of Rilke, Meditatio Centre, one of the premier with wholeness” brought fresh insights. I’ve enjoyed locations in London to engage the buzz of a packed room exhilarat- matters related to the spiritual By Shirley Lancaster ed by a mind-expanding talk by biolo- life. Lectures, single and in-series, gist Rupert Sheldrake. workshops, gallery exhibits, retreat A series of thirteen talks, Roots of In this exploration I also value the and meditation days: there is surely Christian Mysticism, drew me to the Meditatio Centre’s beautiful space no other location in the city that Meditatio Centre in 2013. Whether and warm welcome; the conversa- compares for depth and range of learning about the psychological in- tions struck up over tea; the Q&A ses- programs, and few like it anywhere sights of Evagrius, or the simplicity of sion that grapples with how to heal a else on this earth. The staff are as Brother Lawrence, these sessions en- fractured world; the silence we share bright and welcoming as the space riched my faith. Similarly, participat- in meditation which anchors us in of the centre; one feels a warmth ing in events at the Centre over the that deep dimension we call God, be- and grace here that lift the heart last two years has felt like attending a yond all words. The attention given to and bring the mind to song. Perhaps ‘university of the soul’. Alongside oth- yoga, bodywork, music and art also even to dance. ers I’ve felt nourished and challenged recognises our need for healing and by study days given by gifted spiritual wholeness in mind, body and spirit. * Past and future presenter — teachers: Martin Laird, Bishop Kallis- For me, Meditatio Centre is impor- upcoming program on April 23, tos Ware and Kabir Helminski. Small tant in providing a space to connect "Marginal Christianity: Three study groups exploring, in a con- with that wholeness at our centre. Witnesses to the God of the Edges".
The life of the Trinity is lived out at the centre of each human life. This is the basic dynamic of all reality. So, once we make contact with our own centre, we make contact with every centre. (John Main) Meditatio Newsletter April 2016 7
Special
“A welcoming, tranquil place” By Christianna Marion Mitchell
I was introduced to the Meditatio works were, was the grandfather of and thought provoking poetry, ac- Centre via a bar in Camden, a strange Dan Greenwood, who had organised companied by her friend Jo on guitar. connection one might think, even this musical evening. That event oc- The Meditatio Centre embraces stranger considering the bar is called curred back in September 2015. Be- many different activities and hosts a Spiritualised, but, as it turned out, a ing inquisitive, I got chatting to Kate variety of events which tend to attract very spiritual evening was had by all. Coombs and discovered, to my joy, lovely people. It is a welcoming, tran- A group of musicians who play at the that the centre exhibited a number of quil place that sits quietly in a beauti- bar regularly had come together and artists during the course of the year. ful square in Islington. created a beautiful evening with po- Kate agreed to show my work which etry reading, interesting conversation has been hanging at the centre dur- and fantastic music at the Meditatio ing February 2016. We organised a ONLINE: To know more about the Centre. While listening to the mu- private viewing, which was a great Meditatio Centre (the full programme sic I noticed the art hanging on the success. Annie Hannan Smith read and online booking) visit wall. The artist whose creation these some of her amazing, very moving www.meditatiocentrelondon.org.
Belgium A New Meditation Group in Brussels By Frits Smulders
is expressly ecumenical. It is open to veniently located in the centre of Brus- believers of all Christian persuasions. sels (http://www.resurrection.be). The We also welcome people from other Chapel has a beautiful crypt, which is religions and those with no religious ideally suited for contemplative prayer background, trusting they will open in stillness and silence. We gather ev- themselves to the Gospel and to the ery Monday evening from 8 to 9 p.m., way we live out our faith in contem- after which there is time to socialise plative prayer. Our aim is to reach and share refreshments. More details out to the world and share the gift of are available at http://tiny.cc/brussels- meditation with as many people as group . In October 2015, an English-speak- possible. Please contact Ingrīda Sniedze at ing meditation group was formed in Although the group is English- [email protected] or Frits Smul- Brussels. While Brussels already had a speaking, it is open to all nationali- ders at [email protected] if French-speaking meditation commu- ties and our target audience is wider you live in the Brussels area and wish nity, as well as a Dutch-speaking med- than Brussels’ expatriate community. to join us. Occasional visitors are also itation group in Grimbergen, close to So far, the group has mainly attracted invited to come and meditate with us. Brussels, an Anglophone meditation foreigners living and working here, al- — All are welcome. Come as you are. group catering to the large interna- though we are happy that a number of Go as you will become, and return, tional community living in Brussels Belgian nationals have also joined us. trusting in the gentle transformative was still lacking. — In line with the The group convenes and meditates power of meditation that leads us on World Community’s inclusive ap- at the Chapel of the Resurrection, an ec- the journey towards becoming the proach to spirituality, the new group umenical place of worship that is con- person we are called to be. 8 Meditatio Newsletter April 2016
News
Asia Mobile technology helping people to meditate meditators who travel for holidays or business. They find Virtual Meditation very helpful as they can participate even when their travels take them out- side the Singapore time zone.
Online groups This is another way to meditate using technology. Check the list of groups with days and times here: http://tiny.cc/ongroups
Technology is a great help in apart from the weekly meeting in Interfaith friendship spreading the teaching and practice Church. So I set up a separate medita- Fr. Laurence visits the Dalai of Christian Meditation. Below you tion for the group, but this time in their Lama and discusses the next can learn about two examples of us- respective homes using the Whatsapp ing mobile apps to organize virtual app. We do this virtual meditation every Way of Peace groups and distribute readings and Monday at 10 pm. teachings: The format is as follows: Step 1 China At 9.55 pm I send a message that WeChat is a mobile text and voice reads: messaging communication service “We will be meditating in 5 minutes.” very popular in China, similar to When the group receive this message Whatsapp. Augustine Xiao Xiao (an they... prepare themselves for medita- oblate who lived in Meditatio House tion in their respective homes. in 2015) uses WeChat to distribute Fr. Step 2 Laurence’s Lent Reflections, reaching At 10 pm sharp I send this message: out to 13.000 people. He is also using “We shall meditate now”, and the the same tool and other apps (called Opening Prayer QQ and YY) to lead online meditation Step 3 twice a month. At 10:20 pm I send this message to Fr Laurence recently went to visit close the meditation session: the Dalai Lama who was well but has Singapore “Amen, goodnight, God bless.“ been receiving medical treatment In Singapore, Albert Cheah par- in the United States. The Way of ticipates in a meditation group at the There is no need for any reply after Peace scheduled for April at the Church Of Our Lady Of Perpetual Suc- Step 3. Those participating just end their Catholic University of America will be cour. But he has also created another meditation. I made it clear that the Vir- rescheduled in 2017. way to help people to meditate: tual Meditation does not replace their weekly participation in the group or ONLINE: Watch a video of their About 4 years ago it occurred to me their personal twice daily meditations. I conversation here: that we can do meditation as a group have had positive feedback from those http://tiny.cc/DLamaLF2016 Meditatio Newsletter April 2016 9
News
Mexico Hundreds of children meditating in rural Mexico By Enrique Lavin
Father Laurence’s visit to Mexico of Mexico City. Wednesday, we drove started in the city of Guadalajara, on to Alfajayucan to meet with the chil- the weekend of 30 and 31 January dren of several rural communities. At with three talks to a full auditorium first, about 300 children dressed in on Love and the Gift of Failure at the their best clothes were waiting for us. Ignatian Spirituality Centre. The talks And they were so happy! We medi- ended with a contemplative mass. tated and Fr. Laurence told them Monday we went to Mexico City to how meditation makes you free and meet with the Schoenstatt Commu- empowers you to build a more just nity, a group that has been meditat- world. ing for some twenty years. At the next community there were a three day retreat. The theme was Tuesday started with a talk at the 150 children. We meditated with Healing the Heart through Silence, Still- Teresian Institute. It was a pleasant them and then he spoke of how find- ness and Love. Overall, this was a beau- surprise for Laurence because the ing Jesus in your heart leads you to tiful visit filled with many memorable children spoke English fluently. We become a better person. On Thurs- moments and strenghtening our na- meditated with two groups and then day he gave three talks at the main tional community to share the teach- he gave a talk to their parents. Then church to 150 people from Alfajayu- ing of meditation with more people. a talk at the Universidad Iberoameri- can and the neighboring towns. On ONLINE: Watch a video on Medi- cana on Meditation and Leadership. Friday, after a visit with the Bishop tation with Children in Mexico here: Later, he spoke at the Archdiocese of Tula, we drove to Cuernavaca for http://tiny.cc/mexchild Italy National Conference and welcome from Pope Francis at St. Peter’s Square By Silvia Fasciolo The XV National Conference of the Italian Commu- ter’s Square and with the unexpected greeting by Pope nity was held in Rome in January (22-24). It gathered Francis to the Italian Community, I believe we all ex- 120 people from all over Italy and, for the first time, perienced the affection of communion with the whole from the South of Italy. “Meditation as a way to Mercy” World Community for Christian Meditation. was the theme chosen for the event in line with the ONLINE: Watch a short video with Pope Francis Jubilee Year of Mercy: Laurence Freeman OSB invited greeting WCCM here: http://tiny.cc/popeWCCM us to reflect on Mercy as a call to awareness, a new way of looking at the world, while Maciej Bielawski offered very beautiful and new insights on “The Pilgrim’s Tale.” The meeting was also the occasion for the renewal WCCM new addresses in London of the Italian Governing Council and of the National Meditatio House: 10 Cloudesley Square, London N1 Coordinator. After seven years in this capacity, I passed 0HT, Tel No + 44 207 837 8567 / my office on to Fiorenza Giuriani from Milan. I wish all [email protected] the best to her and to the new members of the Council International Office: St Marks, Myddelton Square, for a good beginning with deep gratitude for the work London EC1R 1XX Tel +44 (0) 020 7278 2070 / we shared that helped me to experience service as joy. [email protected] By participating in the Angelus prayer in Saint Pe- 10 Meditatio Newsletter April 2016
News
Caribbean Meditating with the children of Antigua By Sr Ruth Montrichard
happen to that child, there must be something in it!” On Thursday the 11th we spent the morning at the St. John’s RC Primary School, where we did sessions with 60 of the grades 4’s, 5’s and 6’s. We were warmly welcomed by the Principal, Mr. George Imhoff, and participated in the morning assembly. We went next to the Religion Room and met with the Religion Teacher, Mrs. Sylvia Christian, responsible for Religious Education in these classes. She was happy to sit and medi- tate with the children, and promised In 2012, our community first met were speaking to the converted! to continue to use this prayer of the with Bishop Ken Richards, Bishop of Our first stop on the 9th was Christ heart at the beginning of her classes Antigua and Barbuda, whose diocese the King High School, a Catholic Sec- with the children. We ended our visit includes the English speaking Islands ondary Girls’ School. Fr. Frank met us by introducing meditation to our of St. Kitts and Nevis, Montserrat, An- here and introduced us to the Princi- hosts in Antigua, and left feeling that guilla and British Virgin Islands — all pal, Mrs. Pat Collins, and Family Life even though the visit was short, we small territories involving much inter- Teacher Noleen Azille, who accompa- were able to share the “gift” of medi- island travel. nied us to the classes. Sessions were tation especially with the children of From the time of our initial meet- done with 50 girls from the Form Twos Antigua. We are grateful to Bishop ing, Bishop Richards was anxious to and Threes (13-16 years olds) and the Ken Richards and Fr. Frank Power for have Christian Meditation as part of results were as always: the girls eas- making this possible. the prayer life of the children of these ily slipped into the silence and at the islands. In February 2016 we had the end of the session, the feedback was Australia privilege of sharing this “gift” with the much the same: “I felt peaceful and children of Antigua, like the other Ca- relaxed,” “It was good,” “I was close to Archbishop of Canberra ribbean Islands, not a large popula- God,” “I would like to do this at home.” becomes WCCM Patron tion but a welcoming one. The Bishop When we got back to the Principal’s gave his blessing to our visit and put office and she asked about the ses- The Roman Catholic Archbishop of us in touch with Fr. Frank Power who sion, we suggested that she ask the Canberra and Goulburn, Christopher arranged our visits to two schools in teacher who was with us. The teacher Prowse, has become a patron of WCCM. St. John’s, the capital city. There was said she was amazed at the positive Bishop Christopher is an enthusiastic little explanation needed at our first response and in particular at one girl advocate of Christian Meditation and meeting with him on February 8th. who had a lot of issues and was al- especially encourages meditation with He is Irish, had met Fr. Laurence in Ire- ways in the Principal’s office — that children. Fr. Laurence Freeman will be land, and knew about Fr. John Main child was the most attentive and the leading a retreat for priests in Canberra and Christian Meditation — so we most involved. Her remark: “If this can in November this year. Meditatio Newsletter April 2016 11
In Focus
Joseph Pang, from Hong Kong
spiritual books during the same peri- Hold on a sec, what about your per- od of time. Around April 2012, I often sonal crisis you were facing? My an- came across the term “Meditation” in swer is, without meditation, I would my spiritual readings. I was intrigued not be able to experience “living at and attempted to find out more about the present moment.” As I went deep- it through an internet search and ask- er, I realized that the will of God for ing help from the priests of my parish. me was to face the reality of my situ- However, my search returned nothing. ation and hardship in the present mo- So I prayed to Mother Mary and ment and act accordingly. Yes, it was asked her to help me out. This time, extremely painful to act amidst the my prayer was quickly answered. At hardship, but this was His will, not as the end of May, WCCM held a 7 ses- I envisioned it for myself. I understood sion workshop on Christian Medita- that those were things that could tion at St. Jude Church in Hong Kong. make me stronger and more mature. This was my first time learning about More importantly it drew me closer to “Lord, what is your will for me? Tell Christian Meditation. I didn’t recognize God, His passion and suffering. me please!” It was the year 2012. I had this was the turning point of my life. Two years later, in 2014, by the been fighting my personal crisis for After the workshop, I joined WCCM. grace of God, my crisis was over. Dur- four years already. I lost everything I practiced meditation every day. At ing these two years, when I felt over- including my peace and myself. In my the beginning, I only meditated once whelmed by my situation, I quietly prayer, I kept praying to God to deliver per day for 30 minutes. After I felt recited the mantra in my heart. Truly, me from my crisis. I had been pray- more comfortable, I meditated twice the mantra walked along with me ing for this intention for more than 4 a day. I felt much more peaceful after through my darkest valley of my life. years already, but still there was no I practiced my meditation. I began Here, I would like to thank Lina Lee, sign of relief. to closely observe my surroundings the WCCM coordinator of Hong Kong. During those four years, whenever without much thinking. I am more She supported me along this journey. the hardship became so unbearable, I willing to accept criticism from others She also taught me so many things resorted to praying the rosary. In my -I started to see all these criticisms or about meditation. I also want to thank prayer, I usually begged Mother Mary ‘comments’ as a way of learning about all the support from the members of to petition for me so that I could be and improving myself. But still, it was my online meditation group, especial- saved from my hardship sooner. Odd- just the beginning. God gave me ly Matthew, Lani, Cora and Mary. May ly enough, I also read many Catholic more than I asked for. God bless you all! Amen.
Meditatio Newsletter is published four Editor: Leonardo Corrêa times a year by the International Office of ([email protected]) The World Community for Christian Graphic Design: Gerson Laureano Meditation, St Marks, Myddelton Square Would you like to contribute to the London EC1R 1XX, London, UK. Meditatio Newsletter? Tel: +44 (0) 20 7278 2070 Our next deadline is June 10th. 12 Meditatio Newsletter April 2016
Resources & Events
CDs Meditatio Seminar
Milestones - Stages of Life Hope for the Future: in the Light of Meditation Meditation in Schools 29 June 2016 Laurence Freeman OSB London, UK This international event brings to- gether experience of teaching medi- tation to children from many parts of the world. Teachers and spiritual leaders will illustrate the urgent im- the spiritual dimension of education. portance of introducing meditation For more information and booking in schools. Practical resources will be online go here: offered to inspire teachers to develop http://tiny.cc/medchld2016
John Main Seminar 2016 Childhood, adulthood, old age, and Where the Light Comes in... death are stages we pass through in Led by Jean Vanier unique personal ways. Meditation 31 Aug - 4 Sep / Trosly, France allows the self to develop naturally, moving us by stages beyond the ego. The 2016 John Main Seminar will be held at the international home New Websites of L’Arche in France. Jean Vanier will speak on the theme Where the online through the webcast. In this MEDITATIOCENTRELONDON.ORG Light Comes in...” and co-lead the way you can watch all the talks live, Gives you information on all events pre-seminar retreat with Laurence send questions and comments and at the London Meditatio Centre. Freeman OSB. Because of the limit- meditate online together. ed accommodation and the partici- The sessions will be available on- MEDITATIO.CO.UK pants coming from both communi- line after transmission. For more Is the new website for Meditatio, ties, numbers were very restricted information about online partici- the outreach of WCCM, that seeks to and there is no more residential pation at the JMS 2016 contact bring universal spiritual wisdom to space. Most participants will join [email protected] the pressing issues of a secular world.
To order: contact the resource center nearest to you. Our centres are listed below
VISIT THE CHRISTIAN MEDITATION PAGE AT AMAZON: http://astore.amazon.com/w0575-20
UK and Europe CANADA: www.wccm-canada.ca www.goodnewsbooks.net email: [email protected] NEW ZEALAND: email: [email protected] Tel: +1-514-485-7928 www.christiansupplies.co.nz AUSTRALIA: Tel: +44 (0) 1582 571011 email: [email protected] [email protected] Tel: +61 2 9482 3468 ASIA Tel: 0508 988 988 USA: www.contemplative-life.org email: [email protected] (Within NZ Only) [email protected] Tel: +65 6469 7671 Tel:+1-520-882-0290 Canadian Christian Meditation Community SPRING 2016 VOL. 25 NO. 1 THE WORLD COMMUNITY FOR CHRISTIAN MEDITATION
Our 2015 Friends Appeal We are truly a World Community!
Fr Laurence and the Dalai Lama met this year in the USA: Friends for 40 years
It’s the time of year again for our Friends Appeal. The ways you can make a financial donation are This is when we ask you to contribute what you can detailed in the enclosed leaflet. Tax receipts will be to the global work of the WCCM – the World Commu- issued for donations. nity for Christian Meditation – in spreading our prac- Thanks to a generous designer and printer, WCCM tice to new communities of Christians, often in less has created a photo book called Light of the World advantaged countries, and particularly among the to share the vision and mission of the WCCM with least advantaged members of society. donors, volunteers and anyone who wants to find out As Fr Laurence has observed, “The WCCM needs more about our community. many kinds of support – including financial support If you’d like to receive an electronic copy of Light of – to continue our contemplative mission, and pass on the World, please email [email protected] the gift of meditation around the world, especially to and I’ll happily send you a copy. Many people have the most needy. said how helpful this book is when introducing others “Whatever kind of support you can give will have an to Christian meditation – so you may also wish to pass ongoing influence, and help more hearts to be opened. it on! The world needs hearts that are open, and minds that With love and gratitude, can pay selfless attention.” Elaine Mills, Friends Coordinator in Canada
IN THIS ISSUE
Letter from the Editor...... C2 Our World Community (photos)...... C4-C5-C6 Calendar of Events ...... C2 Silent meditation in Winnipeg...... C7 From the National Coordinator: We all need friends...... C3 Stillness in a High-Tech World...... C8 LETTER FROM THE EDItor A World Community of Love Most of us have experienced the extraordinary differ- Christian Meditation, and its ongoing efforts to invite ence between meditating by ourselves, and medi- people in every country to take up the practice, and tating in a group. experience the fruits, of Christian meditation. If we are meditating every day, then most of the time The Friends Appeal is the focus of this issue of your when we meditate, we will be alone. Alone newsletter. The money collected through with God, to be sure, where we experience this and similar appeals throughout the fruits of our meditation, the trans- the world is what helps the WCCM to formation of our lives, which keeps us continue and extend its mission. on our spiritual path. The WCCM is made up of small groups But meditating in a group feels like yours, multiplied many, many times, different. We feel a greater depth, rich- reaching out through silent prayer to ness, fullness to our experience, when we touch the hearts of others. meditate with two or three, or six or eight It is a group of groups. And just as meditating others. in a group magnifies the spiritual richness of our It’s hard to describe this difference, let alone experience, the WCCM works to magnify the effective- explain it, but most of us have experienced it for ness of our silent prayer. ourselves. It’s why we find so much spiritual refresh- The photos in this issue (taken from the WCCM group ment in group retreats – such as the one in Vancouver, on Flickr) document this work of global magnification. and the one in Winnipeg, reported on in this issue. The Friends Appeal is a way to connect, in a tangible It is also the basis for what John Main called a way, these groups around the world with your own “community of love” – of men, women and children weekly meditation group, and to blend the silence and – drawn together in silence and stillness, grounding stillness of your own meditation, with theirs. ourselves on the solid rock of reality, and spreading If you can contribute financially to the Friends outwards, individually and collectively, in an infinite Appeal, we hope you will. No gift is too small. expansion of spirit. Love & Peace, And this is the basis for the World Community for Jeff Ewener
Calgary Calendar of Events Toronto Monthly Christian Meditation “drop in” sessions at June 3–5, 2016: The Gospel of Mercy, A refresher in the FCJ Christian Life Centre, 219 – 19th Avenue SW, basic Christianity, four meditative talks by priest, Calgary. theologian & author James Alison. jamesalison.co.uk Thursdays, September 1, October 6, November 3 St John’s Convent, 223 Cummer Avenue, Toronto, and December 1, 2016: 7 to 8 pm. 4 p.m. Friday to after-lunch Sunday. Contact: Nina Introduction to Christian Meditation: Wednesday, Honoridez: [email protected] October 12, 2016, 7 to 9 pm. We can accommodate about 30 residential and Silent Christian Meditation Retreat Day: Saturday, 25 commuter participants. December 3, 2016, 9 am to 4 pm. Residential: $295 single, or $275 (each) double – To register: phone: 403-228-4215, fax: 403-228-9459 2 nights accommodation, 6 meals, health breaks, use of all facilities. Montreal Commuter: $240 – includes all of above except accom- June 3–5, 2016: Silent retreat at Rougemont. Make modation & breakfast. cheques to: Meditation Retreats, send to Magda Jass: Donations over and above fees can enable us to offer 4540 Wilson Ave, Montreal QC H4A 2V4. Include your a few scholarship spaces. Donations of $20 or more name, email and phone number. are eligible for a tax receipt. C2 From the National Coordinator We all need Friends. It can’t be done alone! The saying that “we all need friends” applies as translate materials into other languages, and train much to organizations as to individuals. Our Cana- new instructors. Your money also helps support dian community of Christian meditators can help programs that assist churches, organizations, commu- share the gift and nurture the practice of meditation nity groups, prisons, and those working with the in communities around the globe. While it does not marginalized in our own society. cost anything to meditate, it does cost money to create materials, to travel and to teach meditation in various parts of our world. Your financial support helps spread the Your Canadian Friends program provides essential practice in emerging and established support to the World Community for Christian Medi- tation (WCCM) in its global mission. meditation communities, particularly The WCCM is a community of faith, composed of among the poor and marginalized. people of different backgrounds and beliefs. Thou- sands of people in more than 100 countries are How can I become a Friend? You can send in your connected by their daily meditation. And the fastest individual contribution to the Friends program and growing segment of meditators are children. In over mention the program to others in your meditation 25 countries, an estimated 100,000 children now prac- group. tise meditation. One can only marvel at what this will No donation is too small! All donations are gratefully do for Christian meditation in the future! accepted. Your financial support is greatly needed, and much appreciated. It costs nothing to meditate. But it costs The Canadian meditation community is a community money to create materials, travel and that is very active, vibrant and alive. For many of us, our meditation becomes the most important activity teach meditation around the world. in our lives. We know that when we meditate, we come to a special What does a Friend do? Friends support the global stillness at the centre of our being. This stillness is the activities of the World Community for Christian Medi- source of all our action, our movement towards God tation. Friend’s financial support helps in teaching through Christ who lives in us. and nurturing the practice in both emerging medi- tation communities and established communities, Awareness of what we have received compels us to particularly the poor and marginalized in society. want to share this gift with others wherever they may be in the world. The Friends program is a meaningful Where does the money go? As an example, it enables and tangible means to accomplish this important Fr. Lawrence to continue to travel and teach Christian Christ-centred activity. meditation in other parts of the world, countries such Blessings to you, as Ukraine, Mexico, Hong Kong and Belgium. Jack Murta Your money goes to publish teaching materials, to National Coordinator
Canadian Christian Meditation Community Editorial Team National Resource Centre Phil Barnett, Joseph Clarkson, Jack Murta, P.O. Box 52, Station NDG Mark Schofield and Jeff Ewener Montreal, Quebec H4A 3P4 Send submissions to newsletter coordinator Jeff Ewener 514-485-7928 at [email protected]. [email protected] échos du silence and the French version of Meditatio are available from Méditation chrétienne du Québec, www.wccm-canada.ca 105 ch du Richelieu,bureau B, McMasterville, QC J3G 1T5, 450-446-4649. [email protected]. Page design: www.katemcdo.com C3 OUR WORLD
Uruguay: With Archbishop (now Cardinal) Daniel Fernando
Fr Laurence talks with Argentinian meditators
Our woman in China: Celina Chan, Coordinator WCCM China
Paraguay: Retreat in Asunción
Christian meditation group in Brazil sharing a meal together
St Vincent WI: Never too young to meditate All photos in this section: WCCM C4 COMMUNITY
Mexico, earlier this year: Become like little children
France: A meeting of WCCM Europe
Ukraine: Re-weaving the threads
Australia: A meeting of traditions
James Alison, priest, author, theologian with Fr Laurence Interfaith Dialogue: Many ways up the mountain C5 OUR WORLD COMMUNITY
Interfaith Dialogue: East meets West
Australia: Student Meditators, Townsville
Morocco: Ancient connections
Barbados: Student Meditators
Jean Vanier & Fr Laurence at L’Arche
Retreat in Singapore: Crossroads of Asia C6 LENT 2016 Silent Retreat Day in Winnipeg PHIL BARNETT PHIL Meditation in Winnipeg: L-R Rob Duncan, Diane Guilford, Joan Wilton, Jean Bailey
On a beautiful, sunny but cool spring day, eighteen for him. The second was from the excellent Trinity TV people gathered at St Paul’s Anglican Church for a series, about levels of consciousness. Lenten Silent Retreat Day. Both videos were played directly from the WCCM The format was a familiar one, similar to previous website (wccm.org). Advent and Lenten retreat days. There were two The retreat was held on the day before Palm Sunday periods of meditation, each one followed by a video, so it provided an excellent opportunity for us to then quiet time to spend in whatever way we chose. prepare for Holy Week. Participants shared that it had The videos were of Fr Laurence giving talks. The first been a very helpful and meaningful day and looked was from the Way of Peace dialogue with the Dalai forward to the next one! Lama, where Fr. Laurence talked about who Jesus was Phil Barnett Winnipeg
Canadian Christian Meditation Community P.O. Box 52, Station NDG. Montreal, QC. H4A 3P4 514-485-7928 [email protected] www.wccm-canada.ca I wish to: receive/renew the printed Newsletter – suggested annual contribution $15 receive the electronic version – suggested annual contribution $10 (A tax receipt will be issued for donations./contributions)
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TOTAL AMOUNT Card #: Expiry: / C7 VANCOUVER RETREAT Balancing Speed with Stillness LOUISE DUDAR LOUISE Technology and meditation. Note wccm-canada website on-screen. “Finding Balance: Silence and Stillness in a High Tech Luis invited us to counteract the enticement of our World”, a daylong meditation retreat, was held at St. digital world – to step out of the rushing river of Mary’s Catholic Church, Vancouver, B.C., on Saturday, technology, and onto the solid shore where we find January 30, 2016. Forty participants were in atten- balance in our lives, through Christian meditation in dance – seasoned meditators as well as people new to the joy of silent prayer. meditation. In Christian meditation we move from doing to being. Luis Zunino – webmaster of our national website In stillness and simplicity we find nourishment for wccm-canada.ca – led us through the day with a our spirit. detailed account of the growth of technology. We thank Luis and all the organizers for an excellent The speed of the changes are happening faster than day of learning – through the presentations, the medi- we can cope and it affects our lives. The distrac- tation sessions and the sharing in small group discus- tions are many as we browse through the internet or sions. make contact through social media, sometimes while Louise Dudar, driving or crossing the street. British Columbia Regional Coordinator The lure of technology is addicting – there is no doubt about it.
Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: Publications Mail Agreement No. 40007931 Canadian Christian Meditation Community P.O. Box 52, Station NDG Montreal, Quebec H4A 3P4
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