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SPIDIR newsletter 67 |
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Newsletter
main page Contact the Newsletter Editor Contents of Issue 67 Winter/Spring 2006
Christian Meditation - what is it? Biddy Taylor (This article is based on the teaching of John Main and Laurence Freeman and information from the World Community of Christian Meditation – more details are given at the end of the article.)
A lot of people are concerned that this way of prayer isn't really Christian at all but just a fancy Eastern import. I think we must remember that meditation is a tradition rooted in the teachings of Jesus, the apostolic church and the Desert Fathers and Mothers. In the fourth century, John Cassian and his companion Germanus visited the monasteries located in the deserts of Egypt and found a practice of faith and a way of life so fresh and so consonant with the gospels that they remained there for ten years absorbing the teachings of the great elders, the abbas and the ammas. Greatest among those was Abba Isaac whose wisdom inspired John Cassian to write his famous Conferences and Institutes. Cassian's advice is that if we want to pray, to listen to God we must become quiet and still, by reciting a short scriptural verse, word or phrase over and over again. This is not a magical incantation, it is merely a tool against distraction: "a coat of mail, a strong shield", he says. John Main, a Benedictine monk in the 1960s, rediscovered this way of bringing the mind to rest in the heart and realised that in this simple and ancient tradition of prayer, modern people of all walks of life could find a spiritual daily discipline adaptable to their ordinary lives. It is important to realise that contemplative prayer is not the privilege of monks or nuns or special mystical types. It is a dimension of praying to which we are all called. Well, how does one meditate? It is very important to choose a quiet time and place where you are not likely to be distracted. Treat your meditation times as priority times and do not allow any interruptions. If possible, keep to the same place and time each day as this helps deepen the rhythm of prayer into your life. But remember "above all to be gentle with yourself” (Laurence Freeman). Don't fall into the trap of trying to rate your experience of meditation by using terms of failure or success. We are not trying to achieve anything, only creating a space for God to speak into our hearts. You can prepare for your time of meditation with some gentle stretching exercises, yoga, music or readings from the Bible or some other spiritual reading. Then sit down, still and upright with a straight back. Start silently and inwardly to say your chosen scriptural word or phrase - the mantra. “Mantra” is a Sanskrit term for what John Cassian calls 'a formula of prayer' and the author of the Cloud of Unknowing calls 'one little word'. The recommended word is MARANATHA. This is an Aramaic word meaning “Come, Lord” and one of the earliest recorded Christian prayers. Recite it as four syllables of equal length - MA RA NA THA. Listen to it as you say it, gently but continuously. Do not think or imagine anything, spiritual or otherwise. If thoughts and images come, these are distractions, so keep returning to simply saying the word. The aim is to try and meditate each morning and evening for between twenty and thirty minutes. Also try and meditate with a group each week as this helps to deepen your practice and provides support and encouragement. Many people get discouraged when they start meditating because of the problem of distractions, and give up very quickly. Don't be discouraged. All who have ever prayed, even the great masters of prayer, have experienced distractions. They are simply the effects of our constant mental activity, Saying your mantra is the most simple and effective way to deal with all these kinds of thoughts. Do not try to fight off the distractions, whether thoughts or feelings. Give all your attention to the mantra, gently and faithfully returning to it all the way through your meditation. Be humble, patient, faithful, and keep your sense of humour; but don't underestimate the perseverance you need, and the grace you will be given. I have found that meditating regularly has had a great effect on my life and I was delighted when a weekly meditation group was started in my area. I had been drawn to this kind of silent prayer for many years as I had found using lots of words and images in prayer very unsatisfactory and empty, but I was a bit uncertain about how to get started, I got to hear about the World Community of Christian Meditation, and the Centre at St Mark's, Myddelton Square, and I went to an excellent introductory workshop there. I rediscovered the writings of John Main, particularly his Word into Silence, and I got confidence to return to a way of prayer that I had been yearning to follow for many years. I can honestly say that It has changed my life. Suggested further reading: Word into Silence by John
Main If you would like to know more about Christian Meditation contact: The World Community for Christian Meditation, St Mark's, Myddelton Square, London, EC1R 1XX. Telephone 020 7278 2070. Email mail@wccm.org Website www.wccm.org |
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