<p> A CHRISTIAN MEDITATION GROUP WORKSHOP</p><p>( SECOND SESSION)</p><p>ON STARTING A GROUP</p><p>BY PAUL HARRIS </p><p>A) HOW WOULD ONE CHOOSE THE BEST LOCATION, AND MEETING TIME FOR A GROUP?</p><p>SOME POINTS FOR DISCUSSION </p><p>. Parish, home, institution, church, place of work etc. . As quiet a location as possible. . Upright, comfortable chairs. . Parking. . Geographic location. . Choice of turning lights off during the meditation period. . No rental payments if possible. . Available on bus routes. . Choose a suitable time for the group meeting bearing in mind the . availability of a location.</p><p>B) HOW WOULD ONE APPROACH THE PASTOR OF A CHURCH REGARDING THE START UP OF A NEW GROUP?</p><p>SOME POINTS FOR DISCUSSION</p><p>. Pre reading of the booklet: A Pearl of Great Price: Share the Gift of Meditation by Starting a Group . Appointment with a pastor to discuss a new group . Resource material on the teaching .A one page fact sheet with an outline of the teaching and the role of the group . A list of any other groups in your local area</p><p>C) HOW WILL THE WEEKLY MEETING BE PUBLICIZED?</p><p>SOME POINTS FOR DISCUSSION</p><p>. Sunday church bulletin. Pulpit announcements. . Posters on church notice boards in all area churches. . Letters to pastors of all churches in the area announcing a new group. . Community media notices, including, newspapers, radio and TV. . Shopping centre notices. . Public libraries. . Health food stores. . School newsletters. . How will notices be phrased.</p><p>D) WHAT RESOURCES ARE AVAILABLE TO ASSIST A LEADER IN STARTING A GROUP?</p><p>SOME POINTS FOR DISCUSSION</p><p>. Attend an introductory course on the teaching if available in your area. . Discussion with local area coordinator. . Discussion with other experienced group leaders in the area. . The booklet: “A Pearl of Great Price: Share the Gift of Meditation by Starting a group.</p><p>E) WHAT OTHER MATERIAL RESOURCES ARE REQUIRED FOR STARTING A GROUP?</p><p>SOME POINTS FOR DISCUSSION . A wide variety of 300 pre recorded talks on the teaching by John Main, Laurence Freeman, and other teachers, available on tape/CD. Talks can be borrowed from other group leaders, area coordinator, or purchased? . Tape/CD player? . Candle. . Meditation period timer. . Hand outs for newcomers on the teaching. . Books for sale or loan. . Current issues of local, country, or International Christian Meditation newsletters. . List of over 20 Christian Meditation websites. . Coffee/Tea, biscuits and a social period after the meeting? Optional.</p><p>F) WHAT ARE THE IMPORTANT QUALITIES IN A GROUP LEADER?</p><p>POINTS FOR DISCUSSION</p><p>. A group leader is not required to be a “guru” or “expert” but simply someone who says “yes” to the desire to share the teaching with others. . The only quality necessary is the personal commitment to the teaching and the daily practice. . Sometimes a Christian Meditation group is a collective effort with various members sharing leadership in the regular group meetings.</p>