Christian Meditation Groups - Everyone is a Contemplative

A PEARL OF GREAT PRICE
Laurence Freeman, OSB

Again the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for
fine pearls; when he finds one of great value he goes and
sells everything he owns and buys it. (Matthew 13:45)

N OUTLINE FOR A SIX-WEEK INTRODUCTORY CHRISTIAN MEDITATION GROUP

The following outline is meant to help you – as a group leader – to introduce

meditation to newcomers to your group over a six-week period. It will help you

help others to get going and to persevere long enough to break through into

their own understanding. It may be used continuously or periodically during the

year or as a refresher for more experienced meditators.

At the Beginning:

Be especially welcoming to newcomers who may be finding the silence of the

group a little strange. Whenever possible meet personally with them and explain

the basics of how to meditate and tell them they can raise any questions with

you personally as well as in the group. It may help to suggest that they ‘check

in’ with you monthly at first. Help them understand that the importance of the

weekly meeting is to strengthen their daily practice and help them come to

deeper understanding of the way of meditation. Remind them that it will take

time for a regular practice to get established in their daily life and not to give

up. If they do, they should just start again. Explain the general structure of the

group and the centrality of the meditation period together. Help them to sign up

for (and contribute to the cost of the International Newsletter. Share a little of

your own journey when this seems helpful.

Each week:

Emphasize the simplicity of meditation.
Review the basic ‘how to meditate’.
Explain the theme of the week and a short summary of the tape you will
listen to.
Recommend specific reading.
Have the basic introductory books and tapes available for sale or loan. All
are available from Medio Media at (www.mediomedia.org)
Offer handouts such as the basic local, national and World Community
fliers.
Have printouts available of the Weekly Readings from the Web page
(www.wccm.org).
Encourage questions afterwards which you and other members can
respond to.

General:

lease

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next outline

A PEARL OF GREAT PRICE

THE WORLD COMMUNITY FOR CHRISTIAN MEDITATION

SHARING THE GIFT OF CHRISTIAN MEDITATION BY STARTING A GROUP