Embedded Files
During these times I think our school practice of Christian Meditation is very important as a prayer practice / source of wellbeing. Let us re-renew our practice this year so as to provide students with a time of routine and calm. Why we do it
The following link leads to a video filmed in our diocese, where our secondary students talk of the benefits found in meditating and a simple instruction on how to meditate in the Christian faith. Christian Meditation in the Lismore Diocese
This link, Learn about Christian Meditation is to the World Community of Christian Meditation (WCCM) and contains a video and simple instructions by Fr Laurence Freeman, the world director of Christian Meditation, which will assist tin understanding the prayer form and the requirements of Stillness, Silence and Simplicity.
The WCCM has created a free app to assist with the timing of Christian Meditation and includes other prayers that can be prayed before and after meditation. Christian Meditation App
As a guide, it is recommended that students meditate for 1 minute for each year of their age. A student, 10 years of age, could work up to a 10 minute meditation time. If in the classroom, they only meditate for 5 minutes, then 5 is sufficient.
The meditation time is always built up incrementally over a period of weeks and months. For example, a 10 minute meditation for 10 year olds, may take 4 weeks to achieve. Progress is slow and gentle with necessary attention given to being perfectly still and perfectly silent whilst repeating the mantra MA RA NA THA interiorly.
This simple prayer (left) is said by the students before the meditation begins.
Other traditional prayers learnt by the students in the classroom are important to continue. The majority of our traditional prayers are’ talking’ prayers because they involve us talking to God, Jesus, Mary or the Saints. Christian Meditation is different and belongs to a group of prayers we call ‘contemplative’, which requires us to be still, quiet or silent and may have very few words as we are listening rather than speaking, we simply are with God.
This illustrated summary card may be useful in understanding the process.
CSO Inservice 2022
Christian Meditation is an ancient prayer form dating back to the early Christian communities of the Third and Fourth Centuries and throughout history, many notable mystics practiced this prayer on a daily basis. Christian Meditation was introduced into modern society by John Main OSB, founder of the World Community of Christian Meditation (WCCM). Fr. John spoke of the aim of the prayer "being to allow God’s mysterious present to become a reality in our lives".
The Stillness, Silence, and Simplicity Contemplative Prayer Retreat will enable the participants to experience Christian Meditation as part of a group and to gain a deeper understanding of the historical context of this prayer as handed down through the centuries by the many mystics who taught and practiced it as part of their lives.
Introducing the retreatants to Labyrinths and Art Journalling broadens the experience of prayer and caters to a more diverse range of how people can pray in a contemplative manner. Having this practical experience grounded in the wisdom of modern-day contemplatives will deepen each retreatants understanding of oneself and of how important prayer is for our life journey.
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