Christian meditation group
“Be still and know that I am God.”
The Christian Meditation Group which usually meets fortnightly on Mondays from 7.30-8.30pm is meditating weekly and separately but ‘together’ in spirit, throughout this period.
One of us will provide a short passage beforehand to lead us into the silence –then we’ll meditate in our own homes for 20 –25 minutes. We warmly welcome anyone who would value this opportunity for a half hour of stillness in the presence of God. (Contact information can be access through the Church email during this time, please get in touch if you’re interested.)
Introduction to meditation
Sit down.
Sit still and upright.
Close your eyes lightly.
Sit relaxed but alert.
Silently, interiorly, begin to say a single word: we recommend the prayer phrase ‘Maranatha’ (MA–RA-NA–THA) – Come Lor d Jesus
Recite it as four syllables of equal length.
Listen to it as you say it, gently but continuously.
Do not think of anything, spiritual or otherwise.
If thoughts and images come, these are distractions at the time of meditation, so keep returning to simply saying the word.
Meditate each Monday evening at 7.30pm for between 20 and 30 minutes.
About Christian meditation
A Benedictine Monk called John Main opened the first Christian Meditation Centre in London in 1975. His aim was to recover the tradition of silent, contemplative prayer from the teachings of the early Christian fathers and mothers. Early Christians called meditation ‘pure prayer’, coming to stillness of spirit and body through, and being in, the presence of God. His work was continued after his death by Father Laurence Freeman.
Our meetings open with a recording by Father Laurence or other meditator, followed by 25 minutes of silent meditation. We finish with a short time of reflection together, around 8.30pm.
The Christian Meditation Group meets fortnightly from 7.30pm-8.45pm on a Monday evening. The group meets at the home of a member. We are part of a network of groups meeting under the umbrella of The World Community for Christian Meditation, which provides resources and arranges workshops and retreats.
If you feel drawn to this kind of contemplative prayer and would value the support of a group to share your pilgrimage, please do join us.