Meditatio Newsletter July 2019 www.wccm.org 1

www.wccm.org Registered Charity No. 327173 - I N T E R N AT I O N A L E D I T I O N , Vol 43 No 2; July 2019 Feast of Peace and Unity New Podcast Blessing of Phase 1 of renovation of Bonnevaux was Contemplative an illustration of the vision of life at the WCCM new home Revolution

There is a new way for you to listen to talks, interviews and dialogue from the WCCM collection. It is called Contemplative Revolution, a weekly podcast. You can download and listen to the programs using different audio apps. Visit and subscribe to this podcast here: http://podcast.wccm.org

Mgr Pascal Wintzer blessing Bonnevaux (top) and the music concert with the choir

9 News 10 News 12 Resources

Laurence Freeman Updates on WCCM New pocket books and The visits Korea for the developments in the Caribbean Roots of Christian Mysticism

This issue This first time and South Africa online course 2 www.wccm.org Meditatio Newsletter July 2019

A letter from Laurence Freeman, OSB

If you look at one of the photos told us that mistakes, failure and ac- To help understand the need for of the beautiful blessing of Bon- cidents are all eventually part of the a universal understanding of con- nevaux last month you will see the single great blessing that is life. templation, we have launched a new large group of community, friends Shortly before the blessing of the WCCM podcast – called “Contempla- and neighbours packed into the long first phase of our renovation of Bon- tive Revolution”. We have called it this cloister. They were listening to one nevaux, the Guiding Board had de- because contemplative Christianity is of our principal speakers of the day cided on ‘Contemplative Christianity’ unachievable unless it is held in the speaking about the vision of this new as the WCCM theme for the coming gentle grip of the continuous revolu- centre of peace that is to become no year. We felt that this to be an impor- tion of the gospel’s wisdom and val- less a centre for peace. Those in the tant reminder, not just for the Church ues. The podcast offers regularly up- front row are looking up at a single but for the world. Christianity fulfils dated teachings from the many gifted point immediately above the speak- er’s head. Not in inspiration, though, as much as in fear. The speaker had been placed immediately under a nest of swallows in the vaulted ceiling where some newly fledged arrivals were being cared for by their parents. They were showing activity during the talk and those of us in the front began to fear that the birds above the speaker might decide to drop down a message or two of their own. They did not. And so this part of the benediction of Bonnevaux passed smoothly to the next. But if the em- barrassing event had happened what would have been lost? Would it have spoiled everything or just shown us its mission in a world of many faiths teachers with whom our community that the best prepared plans remain to unite people in the universal truth. is blessed. I urge you to sign up for it vulnerable to the unexpected? It Part of this truth is that love, peace, because it will help stimulate and en- helped us in that moment, however, joy and forgiveness are not just rich the hope and vision in you that to remember what blessing means. dreams or occasional lucky moments we need to share with the world. Blessing does not come down from in life. They are essential elements Revolutions come and go. They above as much as it is transmitted of human nature that Christ taught seek the highest goals of human per- from one to another by our genuine by word and example. It means that, fection and then begin to splutter, presence to each other and our col- however peaceless and divided we lose height and crash. Most political lective faith in the project. We are may be, individually or collectively, revolutions in history reverted to the blessed through our friendship and our true nature can ‘become God’, as very forms they once rejected. It is a hope to realise what Bonnevaux can the early Christian teachers daringly sadly frequent outcome of idealism become. The best benedictions are said. We can always rise from our self- that we are all familiar with at a per- horizontal. If a message from the made ruins. Like Bonnevaux, we too sonal level, in relationships or in our bird-nest had fallen it would not have can be renovated. commitment. How many of us have spoiled the blessing. But we would Before I was me not seen ourselves fall short of the have been reminded of how the hu- I was God in God generous selflessness of our initial man entwines with the natural world And can be again enthusiasm? We gave ourselves with- and our well-made plans with the ran- If I die to my me out counting the cost. Then little by domness of the universe. We would (The Cherubinic Pilgrim, Angelus Sile- little….. compromise, excuses, com- have smiled because it would have nius, transl. Anrew Harvey) plaints, the demand for reward or Meditatio Newsletter July 2019 www.wccm.org 3

recognition. ing reborn. The life we find when we is triggered by our lifestyle. Speed, Revolutions – in individuals or so- have lost our life is life indeed. Or, as stress, addiction, virtual reality and cieties - have complex causes. They a koan puts it: the dragon roars in a the sense of alienation block out the happen when the existing order of dead tree. contemplative experience. Without things begins to dismantle in several Passing through the paradox-por- it, life, reduced to merely material- places simultaneously. Fear and un- tal of reality, we discover that contra- istic dimension, bleeds meaning. In certainty begin to spread. In society dictions co-exist. We are set free from contrast, John Keats wrote that life is those in power become alienated the exclusively dualistic mind and a ‘perpetual allegory’. But how many from each other and people see the from the compulsive search for hap- today are educated to understand calibre of leadership declining. In piness in pleasure alone. We learn that this, to see how different dimensions ourselves, the values and disciplines joy and sorrow (as we label them) are reflect each other, bringing us deeper that give life harmony and meaning equally, sometimes simultaneously, into the mystery of all existence? I loosen. Injustice, imbalance and de- revelatory. Everything teaches. Noth- think he means that life is eternally ception multiply. Feelings of resent- ing is wasted. Seeing this impacts ev- new as it unfolds to us its limitless ment and shock ensue similar to what erything, as a revolution or an earth- connections. Beauty, for example, is a child feels when it is treated badly. quake does, including our meditation the revelation of the whole in a part. Conditions ripen for the coming of practice. We no longer bargain with We cannot help but love the beauti- false prophets. Voices of protest form meditation, threaten to leave if we ful. But love for one part expands to narratives and slogans that crowds don’t get what we want, panic when include each of its neighbours. To can understand. Disappointment and nothing happens or try to fill the des- love one thing leads to loving every- a sense of betrayal scratch out a feel- ert with fantasy oases. The motivation thing. With love, meaning grows, not ing of emptiness in the fear of a com- of our meditation changes. A wisdom through an ideology or by defining ing precipice. not just our own is born, almost shyly, ourselves against others but through Karl Marx had a vision compara- of interior renunciation. It now seems boundless felt connections. ble to that of Jesus: to realise the es- so obvious. By learning to let go of all Everything is meaningful in rela- sence of Man in a classless society. It the stages - the dream, the failure and tionship to something else. To have inspired the Communist revolution. the intermittent reward – the poverty entered upon a path of contempla- France and China entered their revo- we dreaded now carries a peace be- tive experience is to be going beyond lutions with high ideals. But quickly, yond our understanding. whatever we arrive at. It is to know the large vision contracts to short- the peace of ‘being on the way’ rath- term advantages and the silencing of er than the pressure of trying to get dissent. The dive upwards into higher The life we find when we have somewhere faster by competing with consciousness falters and, feeling that lost our life is life indeed others. we are losing our breath, we head The Greek word for this is epekta- downwards to the surface again. All sis. Gregory of Nyssa called it unceas- revolutions fail, including the gospel’s An entirely new class of experi- ing evolution in eternal happiness. St metanoia (the conversion of con- ence unfolds. We may have tasted it Paul used it too to describe the ‘always sciousness itself), if we don’t learn to briefly before but it is unfamiliar. If we something more’, ‘always going be- breathe underwater. This means that have a language and belief system to yond’, aspect of a life that can breathe learning that we are more than our help, they can help to find meaning inside the spiritual dimension. The thoughts, even our best ideas. Nor in this contemplative experience. If contemplative scientist understands are we limited by what we imagine. not – and many who learn to medi- it. As does the self-transcending art- Not only can we survive the stilling of tate today are suspicious of all belief ist or the parent who puts the needs thought and the silencing of mental – the experience itself will suffice. A of their family before their own ca- chatter; but we soar in all directions, contemplative Christianity can teach reer. It describes life as uncontainable losing nothing that we have lost. But the way to this experience and offer and self-renewing. Religious lead- to break into the contemplative clear an understanding of it but patiently ers often find it hard to understand sky, we have to have the realisation of and with self-restraint. when meaning becomes enshrined dying to self-consciousness and be- Our sense of global emergency in beliefs, ritual and structure and 4 www.wccm.org Meditatio Newsletter July 2019

separated from real experience. The Contemplative Christians know egotism is breached, even in part, by more one talks about what one has what grace means: to follow the contemplative experience, grace be- not experienced, the more unreal and teacher and go we know not where, to gins to work wonders. unconvincing it sounds. share what we have received, to give But grace is not just a feel good fac- A contemplative Christianity has what we think we don’t have. This de- tor in the spiritual life like a period of to learn to confess its own large ar- mands the opening of the eye of the meditation in which distractions fade eas of sinfulness before pointing out heart. At the blessing of Bonnevaux and peace rides high. It is not what splinters in others’ eyes. This is not one of our most generous donors to Bonhoeffer called ‘cheap grace’, which self-laceration but the humility pres- the project said that, when he first he called the ‘mortal enemy of our ent in every teaching of Jesus and in considered it, he felt, ‘this is more than church’, the kind of grace that we give his risen presence. Without this hu- we can handle’. Or rather, he said, this is to ourselves. Grace at low cost once mility – what quicker way to humility what his head told him. His heart said shaped a certain kind of Christianity. is there than a daily fidelity to a con- otherwise. Bonnevaux, he said, is first The conditions and institutions that templative practice? – the risk of the understood from the heart. allowed it to flourish are disappear- anti-Christ grows. ing. A time of radical disruption has It is strange that the notion of the begun without easy answers and big Anti-Christ appears so early in the Every religion today needs to demands for renunciation. It is the life of the Church, in the first letter be simplified, purified, restored first days of Contemplative Christian- of John (2:22). An angel of darkness to its contemplative core ity. One aspect of the contemplative dresses up as an angel of light. Nega- mind is the ability to live peacefully tion disguises itself as truth. The wolf without certainty. sneaks up in sheep’s clothing. This is Community, like a family or a good As always, what matters is not the shadow of Christianity itself that workplace or village, is a manifesta- changing external realities but learn- crucifies Christ, in the ways we are tion of love. The heart, which speaks ing how to deal wisely with them. The tempted by power, corruption and the language of love, has reasons that heart of Christian faith reminds us of hubris: anti-semitism, the Crusades reason cannot compute. Each day in this from the beginning – how Jesus including the Childrens’ Crusade, the community we engage, in every en- accepted his destiny and transformed Inquisition, wars of religion, cover-up counter, with a part of the universe’s the deepest dark to light. It is how of clerical abuse. infinite web of relationships. At times James, ‘the ‘brother of the Lord’, un- Christianity, of course, is not the we glimpse this big picture within the derstood the meaning of suffering: only religion in which dark forces can life of the community life, if it is try- My Christian brothers and sis- take over. Every religion today needs ing to be a community of love. But, ters, you should be happy when to be simplified, purified, restored at other times, we think how much you have all kinds of tests. You to its contemplative core. Each one easier it would be to live alone. Even know these prove your faith. It must take responsibility for this. In in community (or family or work), you helps you not to give up. Learn the meantime, religions do better not can stop expanding in the web of love well how to wait so you will be to criticise each other but to renew because your ego decides to seek a strong and complete and in themselves. safe, separate identity. This occupies a need of nothing. A good way to renew a contem- space where you can criticise others Like Simone Weil he sees mean- plative Christianity is to start a com- and protect yourself. The ego forever ing in suffering. She thought that the munity. Seeds of new community are seeks separateness (its ancient habit). ‘greatness of Christian faith is not that always trying to be born in spiritual The self, however, courageously seeks it seeks a supernatural remedy for suf- traditions. What is new has power to solitude as the means of true, loving fering but a spiritual use for it.’ inspire. In the World Community the relationship. If I cannot be myself as I Sustaining this insight requires a weekly meditation group has long am I cannot accept you as you are. considerable depth of peace, which been a way in which meditators have Egotism rejects grace. It refuses is the fruit of prayer, fellowship and seen the community that meditation the gifts that flow unpredictably and being responsibly engaged with creates and taken the risk to share it unconditionally from the universe the day-to-day tests of life. Then the with new people. Meditation groups into our wounded lives. It fears grace peace at the heart of the contem- can become too cosy. It is easier to re- and pollutes it by trying to control it plative revolution becomes our own ceive than to give. But at some point on the ego’s terms. Often it even in- contribution to the turbulent social these two aspects of grace call to be terprets grace as a threat and demo- revolution we are passing through. reconciled. nises it. But whenever the firewall of When the future seems disturbing we Meditatio Newsletter July 2019 www.wccm.org 5

need this interior depth to deal with reality into the false consolations of ate monotony and boredom such as the immediate issues of life without fundamentalism. The dangerous one every addiction eventually produces. losing sight of the guiding principles is to absolutise ‘us and them’. When The cure is not to increase the dosage needed for the long journey ahead. states shut their hearts to a refugee or multiply the ways of self-distrac- Community is the daily school of bal- crisis, when leaders play the race card tion. It is to find a therapeutic repeti- ancing the short and the long-term to enflame the prejudiced. When re- tion that is energised by the rhythm vision. One of the greatest masters of ligious people invoke God to exclude of life. It is this inter-weaving that re- this wisdom in the Christian tradition gay or divorced people from their fel- news the blessed immediacy of our is St Benedict. lowship. In these reactions, we reject relationship to reality. For Benedict the rhythm of daily the amazing contemplative gift that We are told to pursue happiness life holds the secret of remaining transforms humanity through seeing and fulfilment. But we can only pur- tuned into reality (‘obedient’), steady ourselves in others and others in our- sue them by waiting for them. It is in (‘stable’) and continuously growing selves. This gift is the vision of God. stillness that the most real contact (‘conversion of life’). Respecting the Other-centred attention is the fac- happens. Only contact with the great synergy of body, mind and spirit is the ulty that opens access to the web of communion ‘delivers us from evil’. By meaning of the daily management of reality, in which everything is con- breaking the cycle of fear (it doesn’t time and tasks. Time to read, time to nected, and which we call God. The matter whether the swallows drop work, time to pray. It is as simple as that. Contemporary lifestyles show, however, that we feel it to be elusive and unsustainable. Yet, like a daily meditator in any walk of life, Bene- dict understood that the best way to achieve a natural, healthy rhythm of life, interiorly and externally, is to pri- oritise the times of prayer. It is when we see, as John Main said, that the ‘times of meditation are the most im- portant times of your day’, that the contemplative revolution has swept us up into itself and we become this new kind of revolutionary and force for peaceful change. We become what Christians should always be, worldwide web of the internet is as- their message on the speaker), of de- practioners rather than preachers tounding but only a miniscule reflec- sire and anger and by dissolving the Contemplation is a life-choice that tion of the great communion revealed fixed patterns of our self-defeat, we doesn’t provide answers. But nor does by the contemplative vision of reality. are sent back to live, not fight life. We it demand blind allegiance to an ideol- In this great communion, if we are find the meaning of good work. The ogy, as does the major alternative to- awake and present, we are taught by inevitable disappointments, fears and day, fundamentalism, with its false and the simplest things: a walk by your- sorrows of life dissolve into a new divisive simplicities. Instead, it requires self around the lake, an evening with hope and joy. a sustained vulnerability of mind and community and guests, the rhythm And, in each moment of defeat, it heart, permitting us to be penetrated of meditation and prayer during the summons up the certainty of a sec- by a new expression of reality. It re- waking hours of each day. ond chance, the liberation from the quires a detached approach to insti- In the year 2000 a million actual law of karma by a love that can nei- tutions and structures and an interior suicides were recorded and there ther leave us nor punish us: because discipline supported by the love and were twenty million attempts. For it is a perpetual beginning. forgiveness of your fellow-pilgrims. these - and for many others harming Contemplation is the antidote to themselves in our global culture – life With much love, Laurence Freeman fundamentalism in all its forms. Wo- became, as it did for Hamlet as he ven into daily life, a contemplative considered the same option, ‘weary, practice sets off an alarm bell when stale, flat and unprofitable’. At the the tendency is triggered to run from core of this mental state is a desper- Laurence Freeman OSB 6 www.wccm.org Meditatio Newsletter July 2019

Bonnevaux

Blessing A day to treasure in our hearts The blessing of Phase 1 of Renovation brought together a group representing different aspects of the WCCM

Laurence Freeman: “We are all here to bless”

Part of the ceremony was held in the Abbaye’s cloister An illustration of the vision of life at Bonnevaux. This is how we can syn- thesize the gathering for the Blessing of Phase 1 of renovation, on the 15 June. The historic day had participants from a local and global level. The It is a very special moment in the Archbishop of Poitiers, Mgr Pascal Wintzer did the official blessing. The group life of our Community and for the Bon- included the of Ligugé Dom Christophe Bettwy, WCCM members of nevaux Community. A blessing is not Poitiers, the French Community, coordinators and members of other nation- only something that comes externally, al communities. Friends from local Zen Soto and Tibetan Buddhists groups it comes from within. I think we are all were also present, as well as neighbours and friends. here to bless this place of prayer, this place of hospitality, this place of heal- A chance to ing. Your presence here is an integral part of this blessing. It gives us all get to know great pleasure to see the diversity of Bonnevaux our friends and guests today. We have religious , priests, lay people, The day provided an op- we have many forms of Christian faith portunity for people from far and we are delighted we can welcome away or nearby to see differ- friends from other faiths with us today. ent aspects of Bonnevaux: Bonnevaux is committed to the service the renovated Abbaye, the of peace and there is no peace without work in progress, the natu- unity. The power of unity is that people ral environment. The House who are very different from each other and Garden tours were led can live together in friendship. People in English and French to in- of different beliefs, but sharing a deep clude everyone present. common faith in humanity. Meditatio Newsletter July 2019 www.wccm.org 7

Bonnevaux

Monseigneur Pascal Wintzer: Blessing of the Abbaye “We need access to silence”

Abbot of Ligugé Christophe Bettwy blessing the icon of the Trinity Fr Laurence gave a short intro- side the Abbaye. This was followed duction to meditation followed by a by the installation of the blessed It is easier to talk about meditation few minutes of practice. Then it was sacrament also in the prayer chapel. than it is to meditate. In the turmoil of the moment for Mgr Pascal Wintzer Then Mgr Wintzer continued the ordinary life, we need silence. In times to lead the blessing throughout the blessing to the external parts of the of war, in times of quiet and in our internal and external parts of the Abbaye and all the guests gathered daily life, we need times of silence. In Abbaye. The Abbot of Ligugé Chris- at the back of the building, in front of a violent world, the inner silence will tophe Bettwy led the blessing and the image of Our Lady of Bonnevaux bring us to peace, we need to have ac- the installation of the icon of the - Queen of Peace - this image was cess to silence and to peace. Trinity in the small prayer chapel in- blessed by the Archbishop. A message from Support & Gratitude Monte Oliveto The Mayor of Marçay, San- Dom Ugo de’ Sangro represented dra Girard, has been a voice of the mother house of Fr Laurence, support to Bonnevaux since Monte Oliveto Maggiore. He read a the beginning. She thanked message sent by the Abbot Dom Di- the Community for a project ego Rosa: I hope to come soon to visit that respects the history and Bonnevaux. I am very pleased that nature of the place and once this former Abbaye is starting again more emphasized she will as a Centre of Christian Meditation keep supporting Bonnevaux as and peace, as a Centre for France, for much as possible. Thanks and Europe, the entire world and a Centre gratitude were also expressed for the renewal of the contemplative to the renovation team at the life in the church. (...) I feel very close end of Phase 1: Bernard Ruel to Bonnevaux and the whole Olivetan (Architect from France), Kailas congregation feels an affinity to this Moorthy (representing DP Ar- foundation. We hope it can live and chitects) and Wolfgang Hasne bear many fruits. (Project Manager). 8 www.wccm.org Meditatio Newsletter July 2019

Bonnevaux

Peter Ng: “This rose is not only about Patricia but about all members of our Community who made Bonnevaux possible” our Community, over the last 50 years, who have passed on but have laid the foundation of Bonnevaux today. I think Patricia would like me to say that this is not only about Patricia, but about all members of our Community through- out the world, who have contributed to the growth of our Community and made Bonnevaux possible today. Music Concert and Salve Regina A music concert in the Abbaye’s entry hall, organized by the resident Photo: Peter NG planting an English rose in memory of Patricia Ng community, gave the final special Another symbolic and moving mo- My family is very honoured that touch for this day of blessing, after ment of the day was the planting of the the Community at Bonnevaux asked which everyone went again outside to roses. Dom Ugo did the planting of a me to plant this rose in memory of my sing “Salve Regina” in front of the im- French rose and Peter Ng (National Coor- late wife Patricia Ng. We are planting age of Our Lady. dinator of Singapore) planted an English this rose not only in memory of her ONLINE: Watch videos on the Bless- rose in memory of his wife Patricia Ng: but also in memory of all members of ing: http://tiny.cc/BnvxBless

Angelene Chan (DP Architects CEO) on building from the 12 century, that was an , and restoring it over the Bonnevaux: “It is truly a project of love” years to what was originally built for. It is a project of passion, of love - I think First impression Why did I get involved? maybe because a lot of this is done When we first saw Bonnevaux, My office is all the way in Singapore; through voluntary work, and you can when I came upon the land, I found it is a long way. But when I saw the place see that everyone involved in it is tru- that it was truly magical. It had ev- and I knew what the place was going to ly passionate. It is not a commercial erything that we wanted: a beautiful be for, I could see it is almost like creat- project, and there is a bond out of the chapel, an abbey (what was an ab- ing heaven on earth. So I asked myself: belief that this will be a place that ev- bey on the 12th Century), all the sur- “How could I not be involved?” It is so eryone will enjoy, everyone needs, and rounding buildings and the land, the beautiful, and it is especially for people that everyone will grow to love. rolling plans, the hills, the lakes, the who will come from all over the world to stream. Although there was a lot of meditate. A place of retreat, of restora- ONLINE: watch the full video with restoration work that we had to do, we tion. For me, I felt deeply that I had to be Angelene: http://tiny.cc/AngBvx all felt that it was something that we involved. could achieve and we should achieve, A unique project To know more on because the whole place, as I said, is Bonnevaux visit This project is unique because I magical and has everything that we www.bonnevauxwccm.org wanted. don’t think we have ever worked in a Meditatio Newsletter July 2019 www.wccm.org 9

News

Laurence Freeman visits Korea for the first time By Sr. Enosh Cho, OSB

Father Laurence Freeman visited Korea from May 13th to 24th. He was invited by the Korean Benedictine Association to introduce Christian Meditation to the Korean Benedic- tines and Oblates. In particular, the conference of the Korean Benedic- tines, held at the Tutzing on May 16th and 17th, was very meaningful in that Christian Meditation was officially introduced in Korea for the first time. Learning and practicing Christian Meditation together, Benedictine monks and sisters who attended the conference were able to discover or recover the Fr Laurence with kindergarten children essential aspects of the monasticism - silence, simplicity, and stillness - tian Meditation which is deeply seeds of pure prayer were sowed and to rekindle our desire to devote rooted in the monastic tradition and into the contemplative soil which ourselves to the journey to the pu- the wisdom of desert Fathers. Father already cultivated in the heart and rity of heart and inner growth. Laurence also had a chance to meet nature of Korean people. Father Lau- Through the conferences given to with children in a kindergarten run by rence recommended that we have the Oblates of Abbey and Olivetan Sisters. He introduced medi- a somewhat longer time of silence Olivetan of Gosung and tation to the children and had a time after reading the Scripture during Yangju, Father Laurence quenched of prayer with them. We were pleased the Divine Office and we have been the spiritual thirst of many faith- to see that even six-year-old children following it in our community. This ful. The talks for the Tutzing and could easily get into meditation. little change keeps reminding us of Olivetan Benedictine sisters’ com- Father Laurence’s visit to Korea the most important things for our munities awakened us to re-opened was as experience for which will al- monastic lives - centered on Christ our eyes to the precious gift of Chris- ways be grateful – a time that the and the poverty of the heart!

Guiding Board meeting announces the WCCM Theme 2019-2020: Contemplative Christianity The Guiding Board meeting this year was held near Bonnevaux shortly before the Easter Retreat. One of the key decisions of the Board was se- lecting the Community’s theme of reflection and teaching for the com- ing year as “Contemplative Christianity”. National Communities are encouraged to use this to focus and unify their annual programmes. ONLINE: watch GB members reflecting on the theme: http://tiny.cc/thm1920 10 www.wccm.org Meditatio Newsletter July 2019

News

WCCM Mission to St. Vincent and the Grenadines, West Indies By Sr. Ruth Montrichard

At the request of Bishop Gerard County CSSp, himself a meditator, a team from WCCM Caribbean visited St. Vincent for a week in June with funding provided from the “Emerg- ing Communities fund” of WCCM. At the beginning of the visit the team met with the Bishop and a newly appointed team for Chris- tian Meditation in the diocese and mapped out the programme which included: * Giving talks at six parish Masses Centre the other Islands of the Caribbean. on Saturday and Sunday * Giving three Radio Interviews. The visit inspired the Bishop to * Revisiting one primary and The Bishop highly praised the encourage each parish to host a three secondary schools where the team who conducted the sessions meditation group, the schools to practice of Christian Meditation with a great deal of confidence. continue their practice on a daily ba- continues They had previously attended Essen- sis, and those in the Prison Ministry * Visiting and reintroducing Chris- tial Teaching Weekends, John Main to be faithful to the practice. tian Meditation in the male prison Seminars, and Retreats with the Additionally, the Bishop has asked * Introducing Christian Medita- help of funding from the USA and Fr. Laurence Freeman to address the tion to teenaged girls in a home for Australia. Attending these events Caribbean Bishops at their annual abused teens in no small way prepared them for meeting in 2020. This will surely an- * Giving talks to the priests, dea- the task, and helped set up a team chor Christian Meditation firmly in cons and their wives at the Pastoral model that could be replicated in the Caribbean. Project to bring meditation to rural schools in South Africa is in progress In South Africa WCCM is work- This was the second workshop ing in partnership with The Catho- as part of this ongoing project in lic Institute of Education (CIE) to South Africa. bring Christian Meditation to rural A third workshop took place in schools. On 30 April, a three-hour Polokwane in the north of the coun- workshop was held at Mthatha try on 24 May. 11 schools attended, and 44 teachers from 8 schools at- sending one or two representatives tended. Two of these schools are in of their teaching staffs. Some trav- the town itself and the remainder elled between 200-300 kilometres are rural, at various distances from (return trip) to be at the workshop Mthatha. A group of six teachers which began mid-morning and travelled 150 km from Cofimvaba to ended with a late lunch at 14:00. be at the workshop, and a principal Follow-up visits to interested from a deep rural school some 100 schools in areas already visited are km away in Maclear also attended. planned for the second semester. Meditatio Newsletter July 2019 www.wccm.org 11

In Focus

Maciej Zurawski, Scotland tation. It seems that these images they don’t have time to meditate. captured all of human experience, On the other hand, people some- from heaven to hell, from darkness time underestimate my age by to light, from despair to hope. about 15-19 years or so. Can time In hindsight, I came to real- stand still? One translation of the ize that if we are afraid to face our Golden Sequence, the prayer to the darkness, and instead embrace the Holy Spirit, reads “Free us from the distractions that the world is trying tyranny of time”. to offer us constantly, we never re- The secular world is by its nature ally discover our inner treasure, our anti-meditative. It wants us to live vocation, or God’s redemptive light by illusion, addiction and disease. resting within us. The discipline of meditation, on I also experienced that every mo- the other hand, leads us to truth, ment God is still creating me, and freedom and holistic health. that meditation brings me in touch Now back to the fire. During that As I will explain, it all started with with an inner, deeply hidden, life- retreat when everything started, I a fire. I started meditation about 19 giving well. I made a commitment experienced for the very first time years ago at an eight-day silent re- to always stay in touch with that in- the presence of the Holy Spirit treat, the so-called Spiritual Exercis- ner well of life, since I had decided in a physical way like a fire going es. We meditated several hours per that there is nothing more impor- through my body, purifying and day in a beautiful natural setting. It tant. This retreat was a sudden, life- bringing to life, but not burning. was a time when all illusions of the changing experience, and I have Meditation is as much about the ego would painfully fall apart, one been meditating every day since body as about the spirit, and that by one, and I could go deeper and then, both in good times and in bad experience has been with me, even deeper and discover the astonish- times. At the retreat we meditated though we do not seek any experi- ing spiritual reality within. It was in silence, but together, exactly as ence at all in meditation, but rather like discovering a new continent – a we do in WCCM. I find that medi- simplicity. I have been helping to promised land. tating in a group is still an extraor- lead a WCCM meditation group in It certainly helped having a spiri- dinary experience, and the Spirit Edinburgh for many years. In my tual director to interpret all move- often leads us in unexpected direc- work as a software developer, I ments of the spirit and the endless tions – the Spirit is fully of serendip- have also been developing mobile stream of images that were gener- ity and surprises. apps for religion, spirituality and ated in my mind during the medi- Sometime people tell me that healing.

1 www.wccm.org

Meditatio Newsletter July 2019

Registered Charity No. 327173 - I N T E R N AT I O N A L E D I T I O N , Vol 43 No 2; July 2019

www.wccm.org New Podcast Contemplative Meditatio Newsletter is published four Editor: Leonardo Corrêa Feast of peace and Unity Revolution Blessing of Phase 1 of renovation of Bonnevaux was an illustration of the vision of life at the WCCN new home times a year by the International Office of ([email protected]) The World Community for Christian Graphic Design: Gerson Laureano

There is a new way for you to listen to talks, interviews and dialogue from the WCCM collection. It is called Meditation, St Marks, Myddelton Square Would you like to contribute to the Contemplative Revolution, a weekly podcast. You can download and listen to the programs using different audio apps. Visit and subscribe to this podcast here: London EC1R 1XX, London, UK. Meditatio Newsletter? Our next http://podcast.wccm.org

Mgr Pascal Wintzer blessing Bonnevaux (top) and the music concert with the choir Tel: +44 (0) 20 7278 2070 deadline is 10 September. Resources News 12 News 10 9 New pocket books and The Updates on WCCM Roots of Christian Mysticism Laurence Freeman developments on the Caribbean online course visits Korea for the and South Africa

This issue This first time 12 www.wccm.org Meditatio Newsletter July 2019

Resources & Events

New Pocket Book Series Pilgrimages in 2020 29 Jan – 15 Feb: Christian Ashrams and St. Thomas Churches. More info: http://tiny.cc/indiap2020 7 – 15 Feb: A Contemplative Journey to the Holy Land led by Laurence Freeman. More info: http://tiny.cc/HolyLand2020 Meditatio Series

The Transformative Awakening Experience of Meditation By John Main By Kim Nataraja Prayer is a self-transcending process In leaving thoughts and images behind which enables us to know ourselves as and applying attention to the word we tran- the presence of the living Christ in our scend the ego and enter the Presence of God. world.

The Cloud of Unknowing Images of Meditation By Graeme Watson By Liz Watson The teaching of the 14th century spiri- Seeing the hidden teaching in ordi- The latest Meditatio CD Series. tual classic is presented here in a lively and nary things - bikes, flowers, clouds - to Listen to or download the tracks: contemporary way. en-hance our practice of meditation. http://tiny.cc/Med2019B Order a copy of the CD: Order now at Medio Media: http://tiny.cc/bklts2019 http://tiny.cc/2019BHoliness The Roots of Christian Mysticism online course The Roots of Christian Mysticism - our online course - is now complete. All three terms are now available! The course explores the mystical tradition from Jesus to John Main and is not to be missed. The online course is now also available for groups to use - at discounted rates. Many people have asked for www.theschoolofmeditation.org this feature - groups can meet to study and reflect together on the mystics. For more information contact the administrator Tina: @theschoolofmeditationwccm E: [email protected] T: +442072782070 @the.school.of.meditation Please sign up and encourage others to do so as well.

To order: contact the resource centre nearest to you. Our centres are listed below VISIT WCCM’s ONLINE BOOKSTORE: https://mediomedia.com/ USA ASIA www.contemplative-life.org email: [email protected] NEW ZEALAND UK and EUROPE email:[email protected] Tel: +65 6469 7671 www.christiansupplies.co.nz www.goodnewsbooks.co.uk Tel: +1-520-882-0290 email: email: [email protected] [email protected] CANADA AUSTRALIA Tel: 0508 988 988 Tel: +44 (0) 1582 571011 www.wccm-canada.ca [email protected] (Within NZ Only) [email protected] Tel: +61 2 9482 3468 Tel: +1-514-485-7928 Chrıstıan Medıtatıon Newsletter of the Canadian Christian Meditation Community

Antigonish group reaches a milestone Sole Carbone (meditation teacher), Yvonne Macor and Dr. Adela Sandness contributed to the celebration.

SUMMER 2019 ISSUE

Bracebridge Meditation Day...... C2 Joys and challenges of being a group leader...... C6 Poem: Meditation...... C3 Seaway Area Taizé Service...... C7 Antigonish Group Marks 25 Years...... C4 Order form...... C7 Oblate Retreat...... C5 Sharing the gift with spiritual care providers...... C8 Bracebridge Meditation Day Experiencing a Mantle of Peace

Participants enjoyed a beautiful day of silence, deep prayer and peace.

“Awaiting the peace that passes understanding” was Madelaine had been invited to broaden out the the name of a very successful meditation day held mantra in meditation so she mentioned how other in Bracebridge, Ontario on March 30. Over thirty great traditions focus (for example on the breath). people attended, including three wonderful musi- She also gave suggestions for other possible mantras. cians who added much to Madelaine explained that those this day of silence and deep who practice using a mantra prayer. Barbara Nangle, leader as taught by John Main, call it of their Christian meditation Christian meditation because group, was assisted by another “we believe there is a continual Anglican priest, Gail Marie flow of love in the heart from Henderson, to offer us a day the Christ within.” People are unique in its scope. then leaving thought behind The day was organized into and learning to “be present.” “Seven Prayer Movements” She went on to emphasize how which were preceded by indi- essential this is in our world viduals briefly sharing their today. meditative journey, each one, of Quite naturally, the day closed course, being unique. Following with listening to one of the this, we sat in silence for ten or meditation group’s meditation fifteen minutes with the quiet CDs and a final period of medi- Taize chant “Come and fill our tation. There were no ques- hearts with your peace” being tions from participants after played in the background. Barbara’s invitation. A real Musicians enriched the experience. At noon, a very good lunch was mantle of peace was evident shared in total silence followed by one’s choice of a in the room and many partici- walk, browsing through the books, a visit to their medi- pants left then, so the photo shows only part of this tation room or St. Thomas Anglican Church above. We happy group. reconvened in Browning Hall at one p.m. at which Madelaine Mageau point, Madelaine Mageau, coordinator for part of Deep River, ON Ontario groups, spoke on “The mantra in meditation.”

C2 Meditation I rest my tongue On the floor of my mouth; I soften and lean back in the centre of my throat.

The mantra is not spoken by me. Exertion to speak Softens into gentleness, The Gentleness that encompasses All that is.

I receive: Wildness—Life being itself. My posture of endurance Spreads Into curious attunement, Encompassing what is.

And Life comes out of hiding; Calming its bluster. Layers of Realness Undress. down, down, down

To naked, sparkling Oneness.

Joyce Hardman Ottawa, ON

Canadian Christian Meditation ­Community Editorial Team National Resource Centre Phil Barnett, Joseph Clarkson, Jack Murta, Mark Schofield, Jeff Ewener and Denise Connors P.O. Box 52, Station NDG Montreal, Quebec H4A 3P4 Send submissions to newsletter coordinator Carolyn Boerboom at [email protected]. 514-485-7928 échos du silence and the French version of Meditatio are [email protected] 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 and layout: www.katemcdo.com C3 Pathways to Meditation Celebrating 25 Years and the Influence of Beryl MacIntosh

A sense of unity and a desire to do more were created within the group.

Our Tuesday Meditation Group has had reason to Western tradition, by the time we were winding up, celebrate lately. For one, we are proud that our small there was a sense of unity amongst all of us and a group has been resilient as it has met in homes or desire to do more. church for twenty-five years. The fact that our late Our small group had viewed about two weeks before founder, Beryl MacIntosh, has instilled in us a desire all this a film that featured Laurence Freeman and to be open and welcoming to people of all traditions two other meditators. We did this to secure our is also reason to celebrate. Thanks to the narratives common foundation, especially since we had some coming from WCCM and CCMC, we’ve learned the newcomers. legacy of John Main and Laurence Freeman. Videos have shown the ease with which the Dalai Lama There is room for more of this coming together. We could converse and support the traditions we’ve been hope that another group will see this as an invita- taught through John Main and his followers. tion. Dr. Adela Sandness, Chair of the St. Francis Xavier Religion Department expressed a willingness So just recently we had an event called Pathways to work with a community based group for another to Meditation, where we encouraged other local such event. She teaches Mindfulness at St. FX and groups to come and share (Quaker, Buddhist, Thomas completed her PhD on Sanskrit and the ancient Merton’s Centering Prayer Group plus our own). We Indian traditions. Yvonne Macor from Halifax is the learned about the origins of Yoga over 2000 years ago Atlantic Canada chapter head of Meditate Canada. She and how it prepared the individual for meditating. shared about the ancient Hindu traditions. Sr. Phyllis We also learned more about Mindfulness and how it O’Donnell spoke about Mindfulness. contributes to the meditator’s life. We are thankful for the encouragement we had from There was a very good turnout for both the night some of our Atlantic Canadian fellow practitioners. for film and the day of presentations and Q and A. We hope to one day meet some of them. While many concepts were new for those of us in the Fran Wittgens Antigonish, NS

C4 JUNE 21-23, 2019 Oblate Retreat at the Cistercian Abbey in Rougemont, Quebec. “Be still and know that I am God.” (Psalms 46:10)

How difficult it is to ward off depletion in this world I tried to listen attentively (with the energy of my of ours! If attention is the energy of the soul, our soul) though my distracted mind kept flitting back daily lives in this mundane world seem to conspire and forth between where I sat and my busy life back to distract and dissipate this precious energy. It was home. Eventually, I experienced a great gift. As the in such a state of depletion that my husband and I hours passed, Father John’s inspiring words and arrived at the Cistercian Abbey for a retreat organized Polly’s comments penetrated more deeply into my by Magda Jass and given by Polly Schofield. consciousness. I felt the love of the retreat partici- Polly shared with us John Main’s inspiring words; pants. I breathed in the peace that seemed to emanate from his tapes, his unpublished writings, and her from the very walls of the abbey. I experienced the memories of him as a friend. These personal memo- richness of the monks’ liturgy. Slowly, the spinning ries of Father John brought him to life. At times, when wheels of my mind slowed. For brief moments, they hearing his beautiful voice on the tapes, he almost almost stopped. Enough to enjoy increasingly silent seemed to be in the room with us. meditations, in which the mantra could be sustained. The talks referred to ‘love’ so often, the word almost John Main taught that love and prayer are one. Not became a spoken mantra. Father John had once told dialogue but union with God. Not explained but expe- Polly that the only thing he was ever good at was rienced. I renewed my commitment to a balanced life loving. What deep simplicity and humility these with meditations serving as bookends to every day. I words demonstrate from a man who accomplished so hope this will go a long way to maintaining personal much in his brief fifty years on this earth. peace. He also spoke often of ‘silence’: of the silence of love I feel anew the wisdom of the psalm, “Be still and which is not static but an all encompassing supreme know that I am God.” energy – the vortex of energy that holds all life in exis- Thank you, Polly and Magda. I’ll be back for next tence. year’s retreat. Marguerite Alexander

The School of Meditation Essential Teaching Weekend (residential) Debert, Nova Scotia, October 25-27

An opportunity for meditators with some experience to connect with others on the path and deepen their understanding of the practice as taught by John Main. Gain an understanding of the stages of the spiritual journey, the roots of the tradition, answers to frequently asked questions and build your confidence to share the gift with others.

Debert Hospitality Centre, Debert NS (20 minutes from Truro)

Register by September 27 for the early bird rate: $250 (includes 2 nights single accommodation, 5 meals and snacks). After September 27: $290. Registration closes October 10.

Info: 902-895-2934 or [email protected]

C5 Ottawa Area Christian Meditation Workshop Sharing the Joys and Challenges of Being a Group Leader

On a beautiful cold but sunny morning twenty Chris- • There is a core group in the Weekly Christian tian Meditators gathered for the workshop at the Meditation which share personal joys, well-appointed Emmanuel United Church Hall. The and pray for each others’ challenges group was comprised of long-time Christian Medita- • Peacefulness tors, many Christian Meditation Group Leaders, the National Co-ordinator, Jack Murta, who runs three • The weekly group meeting supports faith Christian Meditation Groups and former National • Spiritual community and having the privilege Co-ordinator Paul Harris. We also had Don Myrick to attend many weekly groups and get with us and he has been a Christian Meditator since to know many Christian Meditators the days of John Main and the Montreal Priory. • Like coming home to a second family In addition we had a fairly new Christian Meditator • Weekly group meeting helps to authenticate with us, who shared several very insightful, heartfelt faith in the practice of Christian Meditation comments with the group on her half dozen Christian Meditation weekly group sessions. We were all here • Meditation with children initiative to share and learn. In 2018, the Ottawa Area Chris- is a joy to hear about tian Meditation Group Leaders were sent a survey • It is a noisy world and the weekly group which each group completed. This workshop was in is a safe and sacred place with peace response to the survey responses and the many items that were raised. After our opening prayer each Christian Meditator Challenges as noted by was asked to mention their name, the Christian Meditation weekly group that each belongs to and to the assembled group: mention the joy and the challenge of being a group • It is hard to make people comfortable in a group leader. This exercise was very informative. Here in bullet form are the comments. • It is hard to get people to come – This was mentioned several times • Motivation is needed to start a weekly group Joys as noted by the • It is difficult to stay with the mantra sometimes assembled group: • When I meditate at home, there is more of the monkey mind that is difficult to overcome • Meditation session goes amazingly quickly • There are interruptions at the venue during • Cohesiveness of the group the meditation session which is annoying • Happy to attend and becoming more peaceful • Group leader sets up for the Christian Meditation • Traveling to and from the weekly meeting is weekly group meeting and no one else shows a wonderful time for sharing and laughter up. This was mentioned several times • More calm after the weekly session • Hard to find co-leaders to lead the group • Spiritual community open to God and sharing • Somehow have to spread the word that the weekly and it is important to attend every week meditation group is there in the worship community • Get energized from the weekly Christian • Sadness to close a group and not able to get a Meditation group meeting co-leader • Continuity of the weekly Christian Meditation • It is challenging to get over the hesitation in being brings together Christian Meditators a leader

Continued next page C6 Joys and Challenges continued

• There is loneliness and uncertainty in the tion group leader undertakes this special ministry to beginning for the weekly group leader provide mutual support and encouragement on this • Discipline is needed to meet weekly in a group spiritual path in faith. It was mentioned that numbers are not important. God will do the work once the • We should be fully aware of seniors in facilities, weekly Christian Meditation group is in place. Jesus who may have been Christian Meditators or would said to “feed my sheep”, not to count my sheep! be open to learning about Christian Meditation Barbara Chouinard The above sharing session was rich and provided much insight into the individual group leaders` respec- Ottawa Area Christian Meditation tive joys and challenges. The weekly Christian Medita- Co-ordinating Committee

Seaway Area TaizÉ Candlelight Service Calm and Restorative Time of Prayer On Sunday, June 2, a new venture in song, poetry and Soprano Mélanie Hartford-Walton, a graduate of silence took place at Wall St. United Church in McGill Master Program, led the Taize singing Brockville, Ontario. accompanying herself on guitar. Paul The Seaway Area Meditation Community Bullock, chair of the church board, also held a Taizé candlelight service at 4 p.m. led chants with his guitar. We had advertised this service, inviting Following each chant, Rev. Wendy interested guests from other churches. McLean, minister of Lynn United The fifty attendees expressed apprecia- Church (and faithful member of the tion for this calm and restorative time Christian Meditation Community of prayer. in Brockville) recited personal and meditative poems which she had Organizers found this to be an ideal composed. After these quiet expres- time to publicize Christian Meditation sions of faith, the community sat in as we placed Paul Harris’ display posters silent reflection or contemplation. in the church foyer and provided infor- mation about our group in the program Robin Lane designed for the evening. Brockville, ON

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 over $25)

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C7 Sharing the Gift with Spiritual Care Providers The Canadian Association for Spiritual Care/Associa- providers of spiritual care and psycho-spiritual tion Canadienne de soins spirituels (CASC/ACSS) held therapy in a variety of institutional and commu- their national conference in Fredericton on April nity settings such as health care, prisons and correc- 30 & May 1. The theme was Currents of Hope and tional facilities, parishes, and services for those with Change. The Canadian Christian Meditation Commu- developmental disabilities. CASC is concerned with a nity (CCMC) was represented by two New Brunswick holistic approach to health, well-being, and personal group leaders, Margaret Evans and Denise Connors, at development with a special focus on spiritual and reli- a CCMC booth. gious care. Within the World Community is Meditatio, a cluster Dozens of people visited our booth talking with us, of programs, publications and events that brings the and purchasing resource materials such as book- fruits and benefits of meditation to the wider world. lets on meditation and addiction and meditation and It is the outreach of The World Community for Chris- dying. Margaret is the Director of Spiritual Care at St. tian Meditation and seeks to bring universal spiritual Joseph’s Hospital in Saint John, NB and a member of wisdom and values to bear upon the pressing issues CASC and Denise is the CCMC Atlantic Region Coordi- of a secular world globally in the fields of Education, nator. They co-lead a weekly meditation group at the Health, Leadership, Social Justice, Science & Tech- hospital for staff, and community members. nology and InterFaith. In this spirit, the CCMC booth Our presence at the conference was a wonderful proved to be a wonderful opportunity to promote the opportunity to connect with spiritual care providers practice of contemplative prayer as taught by John and therapists, and to discuss the benefits of medita- Main and to share information about our community tion for health and wellbeing, both professional and with more than 150 conference delegates from across personal. Some were familiar with contemplative the country. prayer while for others it was new. Our hope is that CASC/ACSS is a national multi-faith organization, once back home, they will follow up by visiting the committed to the professional education, certifica- World Community for Christian Meditation website tion and support of people involved in spiritual care, and consider contacting their local group leaders. psycho-spiritual therapy, education and research. Denise Connors They provide educational programs for interested Saint John, New Brunswick persons who are preparing to become professional

Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: Publications Mail Agreement No. 40007931 Canadian Christian Meditation Community P.O. Box 52, Station NDG Montreal, Quebec H4A 3P4 Email: [email protected] Tel: 514-485-7928 www.wccm-canada.ca Past issues of the Newsletter can be found at: The Medio Media Canada Bookstore: www.mediomedia.ca

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