WCCM

The School of Meditation

CHRISTIAN MEDITATION

SIX WEEK INTRODUCTORY COURSE

WCCM

The School of Meditation

INTRODUCTION

“In meditation we leave behind our limitations and learn to be open to the limitless being of God.”1 John Main

This is a step by step guide for presenting a six week Introduction to Christian

Meditation in a weekly group. It is based on the book A Pearl of Great Price.

In A Pearl of Great Price I shared the wisdom of a community that has been teaching

meditation for many years. The weekly meditation group remains the simplest

building block of this learning process and of the community it creates. I think it is

still important reading for anyone who wishes to pass on the gift of Christian

Meditation.

This guide follows and expands on the outline in Appendix 1 of the Pearl for a six

week introductory course. It also provides all the necessary materials you will need

for running this course, including instructions, templates and audio talks - all ready

for use. The aim here is not just to put words into your mouth but to give the

confidence necessary to speak from your own experience and from within the

tradition and the community.

All of us who have sincerely welcomed the gift of Christian Meditation in our own

lives, even relatively recently, have what is necessary to share it with others. Just

keep it simple. Like any gift from the Spirit, meditation needs by its nature to be

shared.2

Each time you do share this gift with others who are looking for it you will deepen

your own understanding of it. It is a mystery we never reach the bottom of. Everyone

who leads a group will also tell you that they receive far more from it than they give.

1

2

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The School of Meditation

The vision of seeing people touched and blessed by this gift of meditation is indeed a

kind of vision of God. You are also helping to give our world a better future.

To put this into practice we only have to be humble enough to let go of our

self-conscious fear. This fear usually arises from a feeling of personal

inadequacy. Of course, we are all inadequate on our own; but none of us is

without access to resources beyond ourselves. We don’t start a new

meditation group entirely out of our own resources. We don’t teach in

isolation because we belong to a tradition and the community expresses

that. We have a community and a great tradition to support and help us.

This short course describes a simple and straightforward way of planting a

seed for a better way of living, a better way of seeing and a better world.

Laurence Freeman OSB

Word Made Flesh page 26

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The School of Meditation

CHAPTER 1

ABOUT THE SIX WEEK COURSE

We have only to begin the journey and to remain faithful to our

beginning (John Main)

The course follows the outline in A Pearl of Great Price and which has been

followed by members of the community around the world for many years. 3 It has

proved successful and helpful in all kinds of contexts. Here we are expanding on

this outline so as to make it even easier and simpler to use.

The themes for each of the six weeks take the participants on a gradual journey

of understanding both the practice and tradition of Christian Meditation. Our

guiding principle comes from the early tradition that told us ‘experience is the

teacher’. The course is designed to create the best conditions and support for

people to learn from their own experience.

The course can be presented as a special series at an existing weekly meditation

group to which newcomers are encouraged to attend. But it can also be

presented as a stand-alone series with the intention of helping a new ongoing

weekly group to start.

Each session follows the format of a weekly meditation group and lasts for about

one hour. This simple format has been adopted by the Community since the first

meditation groups were formed by John Main. The focal point of the session is

the period of meditation. The preparation, teaching and sharing should simply

support this. Fr John observed

3 A Pearl of Great Price page 74

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The School of Meditation

They came above all simply to meditate …… the period of

silence had a greater influence than the talk before hand or the

discussion period afterwards.4

Group leaders will already be familiar with this format. If a new group is formed

after the course the format for the weekly meditation group is already familiar.

The group comprises:

A personal welcome and introductions A Talk A Meditation session A time for sharing & questions

The themes of the Course are:

Week 1 – What is Meditation? Week 2 – John Main Week 3 – The Roots of our Tradition Week 4 – The Wheel of Prayer Week 5 – Leaving Self Behind Week 6 – The Fruits of Meditation

The talks can be presented in a number of ways:

There is a recorded audio talk for each week that can be downloaded from the

website, or the leader can give a talk her/himself using the notes provided in this

booklet. You can vary this – giving a talk yourself one week and playing the

recorded talk another - to suit your own comfort level and the needs of the

participants.

The notes provided for the weekly talks can be used as hand-outs at the end of

each session or emailed to the members.

Keep it simple. Keep words to the minimum necessary. Let the

experience teach people and always keep the silence central to the

time together - and the rest will fall into place.4 Monastery Without Walls page 6

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The School of Meditation

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The School of Meditation

CHAPTER 2

PROMOTING THE COURSE

“The journey to our own heart is a journey into every heart.”5 (John Main)

We don’t need to sell meditation or market it. On the other hand it is a light to be

placed on a lamp stand, so let people know when the course is starting and

meeting each week and make it welcoming.

Notices, flyers and short talks can be used to promote the course in your parish

or local community. Below you will find some examples to help you choose the

best way of advertising it. (The areas highlighted in yellow are where you insert

your own details. Electronic copies are available on the School of Meditation

web pages at wccm.org.)

5 Monastery Without Walls page 151

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1: A Notice Board Poster

It can be placed in suitable locations around the parish and/or local community.

Australian Christian

Meditation Community Qld

INTRODUCTION TO

CHRISTIAN MEDITATION

YOU ARE INVITED TO A SIX WEEK COURSE

AT

ST LUKE’S, 2 SMITH ROAD, APPLECROSS

This course provides an opportunity for those interested in finding out about Christian Meditation to experience the practice in a small group, to learn about its origins and to discover its relevance as a form of prayer for the contemporary world.

Thursday evenings insert dates

7:30 – 8:30 pm St Luke’s For more information contact Jennifer Jones

Email jennifer@service.com or phone 0400 609 999

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The School of Meditation

2: An Advertisement for a newsletter or parish news sheet,

INTRODUCTION TO CHRISTIAN MEDITATION

“Be still and know that I am God”A six week course will be held at St Luke’s,2 Smith Road, Applecrosson Thursday eveningsdatesat 7:30 – 8.30 pmThis course provides an opportunity for those interested in finding out about Christian Meditation to experience the practice in a small group, to learn about its origins, and to discover its relevance as a form of prayer for the contemporary world.

For more information contact Jennifer JonesEmail jennifer@service.comor phone 0400 609 999

3: A Flyer for general distribution

INTRODUCTION TO CHRISTIAN MEDITATION

“Be still and know that I am God”Meditation is an ancient form of prayer. Its aim is to bring the distracted mind to silence and stillness, and rest in the presence of God. Even in our modern busy lives this is possible.

We invite you to come along and try this form of prayer which is simple and peaceful.

The introductory course provides an opportunity to experience the practice of Christian Meditation in a small group, to learn about its origins, and to discover its relevance as a form of prayer for the contemporary world.

Thursday evenings date / month /year7:30 to 8.30 pm St Luke’s2 Smith Road, Applecross

Admission is free, for more information: Contact Jennifer Jones Email jennifer@service.com or phone 0400 609 999

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The School of Meditation

4: Notes for a short talk promoting the course

The following notes provide an outline for a short talk about the course that might

be given after Sunday worship or during Community Notices:

Have you ever thought about meditation? You have probably heard of it just

as a way of de-stressing or lowering your blood-pressure. But meditation is

also an ancient form of contemplative prayer. It is found throughout the ages

of the Christian tradition and today it is widely recognised as a form of prayer

that is relevant and much needed for modern people. More and more schools

teach it to young children. You can begin at any age.

It is a prayer of silence, stillness and attention. It is often referred to as the

prayer of the heart. In meditation we allow the mind and body to become still

and silent so we can be in the presence of ‘Christ in us’. We learn in this way

to become less distracted and more present to God and ourselves and to

those we live and work with. Meditation is simple.

It’s also very peaceful and transformative. Of course, it doesn’t replace other

forms of prayer. On the contrary it can help to deepen your experience of all

other prayer practices.

Each week for the next six weeks we will be holding an introductory group. If

you can’t come to all come to what you can. In this course you will learn about

the tradition of Christian meditation, and above all you will learn by experience

how to practice it. Each session will consist of a talk, a meditation period

together and a time for questions and discussion. Some books and CDs will

be available. The session will last about one hour.

This group is part of The World Community for Christian Meditation that was founded

by John Main, the Benedictine monk who did so much to recover this tradition of

prayer for people like us. He once wrote:

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The School of Meditation

When we meditate we are still, body soul and spirit, entirely open to the

presence of God, and knowing that presence to be pure love, pure

gentleness, pure forgiveness. In that presence we become who we truly are:

created by God, redeemed by the love of Jesus, temples of the Holy Spirit. In

that experience, we are made utterly free, free to be ourselves, free to love

ourselves, our neighbour and God.”

Meditation takes us into the heart of Christian faith. We hope this introduction to

Christian meditation will enrich the lives of many of you and of the parish as a whole.

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CHAPTER 3PREPARATION AND FORMAT OF EACH SESSION

Our way is simplicity and fidelity.6 John Main

For each session of the Course create a sense of the sacred - time and space - that also makes people feel welcome. You could light a candle, put out an icon and have some quiet music playing before the session commences. Invite a few other meditators to come along to support you and to greet any latecomers. As people arrive welcome them and invite them to sit quietly until it is time to begin.

Have a few introductory books and CDs to display and sell. Have details of the website (wccm.org) including the Weekly Readings and Weekly Teachings on a simple handout.

For each session follow the format of a weekly meditation group.

o About 1 hour in duration.o Welcome, introductions.o Talk (20 minutes maximum).o Meditation (20 minutes for the first 3 weeks and then extend to 25). You

can use the Time Peace CD set or another kind of timer and chime to time the period of meditation.

o After the music, start the meditation with the opening prayer (see below)o End the meditation with a short period of music.o Invite sharing and questions.o Finish with the Community Prayer.

At each session Explain the format of the session. Emphasise the simplicity of meditation. Go over the basic instructions on: How to Meditate” (see below). Briefly review the contents of the previous week. Recommend additional reading linked to the theme of the week (this is

provided in the chapter for each week). Offer new handouts each week such as the local, national and world

community flyers.

6 Monastery Without Walls page 151

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Explain that the goal is to integrate meditation into daily life but that it will take time to get to a twice-daily practice.

Give the web address of The World Community for Christian Meditation (wccm.org) and suggest they look at the Weekly Readings on the web page or subscribe through the website.

Questions should be encouraged during the closing part of each session. These can be answered by the leader of the session or the other meditators who are supporting the leader. At the close of each session mention the theme for the following week.

Each week repeat the essential teaching on how to meditate. It never fails to help people deepen their practice and understanding.

How to Meditate

Sit still, with your back straight, close your eyes lightly. Place your hands on your knees or on your lap. Let go of any tension and movement in your body so that you feel relaxed but alert. Breathe normally.

Silently, interiorly begin to say your prayer word or mantra. The word we recommend is a sacred Christian word, in Aramaic (the language Jesus spoke): Maranatha. St Paul ends the first letter to the Corinthians with this prayer that means ‘Come Lord’. But in meditation we do think of its meaning because we lay aside all thoughts.

Say the word clearly in your mind and heart and listen to the word as you say it in four equal syllables: Ma ra na tha. Say it gently and continuously; silently repeating it from beginning to end of the meditation.

When thoughts or images of any kind arise, these are distractions. Let them go. Keep returning to the word. Even if you find you have stopped and you are following a thought or daydream, let it go and start saying the word again. Don’t evaluate yourself. Say the word faithfully, with attention, with love, in total simplicity.

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Prayer before meditation

Heavenly Father, open our hearts to the silent presence of the Spirit of

your Son. Lead us into that mysterious silence where your love is

revealed to all who call. Maranatha. Come, Lord Jesus'.

At the end of the first session – and after each session if you think it is appropriate – the

group can recite together the prayer of The World Community for Christian Meditation. It

can build the group’s sense of its own meaning and of community.

May this Community be a true spiritual home for the seeker, a friend for the

lonely, a guide for the confused.

May those who pray here be strengthened by the Holy Spirit to serve all

who come, and to receive them as Christ Himself.

In the silence of this place may all the suffering, violence, and confusion of

the world encounter the Power that will console, renew and uplift the human

spirit.

May this silence be a power to open the hearts of men and women to the

vision of God, and so to each other, in love and peace, justice and human

dignity.

May the beauty of the Divine life, fill this Community and the hearts of all

who pray here, with joyful hope.

May all who come here weighed down by the problems of humanity leave

giving thanks for the wonder of human life.

We make this prayer through Christ our Lord. AMEN."