Christian Meditation Groups: What do we do when we get there?

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)

HAT DO WE DO WHEN WE GET THERE?

Keep it simple. Keep words to a minimum. Let it be what it is – a meditation

group, not a discussion group or a therapy group or a prayer group of another

sort. The most important part of the group is the period of meditation. Always

keep the silence central and the rest will fall into place. Here are a few practical

hints for how to ensure a contemplative environment and the most meaningful

experience for all.

The Preparation. As people arrive let them feel welcomed but also make it
gently clear that they are entering a sacred place and time. Ten minutes before
the start time put on some quiet music, light a candle, and gently ask people to
be stop talking. People generally need to be encouraged in this, because many
feel they might be unsociable by not chatting with others. At the start time turn
off the music and welcome people, especially newcomers.

The Teaching. An ideal way to give the teaching is to play one of the many taped
talks of John Main. These extraordinary teachings were originally given to
meditation groups very like the one you are now sitting in. The talk is not a
sermon or a lecture but a spiritual preparation for a time of contemplation.
Listening to the talk involves not just the mind but also the heart. It works by
placing you in the optimum frame of mind and attention for the time and work of
meditation. In this way the tapes never become repetitious, however many times
you may listen to them. But as there are about 200 of them, you have plenty of
time to do the rounds.

There are some talks that are specifically introductory (such as side A of the five

twenty-talk

Communitas

series) and some are for more experienced meditators

(such as side B of that series).

The Essential Teaching

, another set of John Main

tapes, is comprised of three introductory tapes, published in book form as

Word

into Silence.

The third of these tapes

Twelve Talks for Meditators

has proved

very popular for groups.

In the Beginning

is a series of introductory talks while

Being on the Way

is for more experienced meditators.

Door into Silence

and

Word Made Flesh

are also sets of both introductory and ongoing talks. There are

regularly published new series of short talks that can be used as well, now

available on CDs as well as tapes. If you need further advice on what tapes or

CDs to choose, you can consult your regional or national coordinator or Medio

Media.

In fact, any of these talks will nourish and inspire. There are also useful taped

talks by other teachers in the same tradition. For more established groups you

might adapt some of the longer retreat or seminar sets that have been published,

playing a different part of a talk for a number of weeks. The leader of the group

should choose the tape beforehand and spend a moment or two introducing its

theme to the group before playing it. Of course the group leader or other

member could also give a talk from time to time if they feel confident in doing

so. And teachings can be read aloud by the group leaders or another group

member, either from the texts themselves or from the weekly reading posted on

www.wccm.org, which also contains a brief reading underscoring the main

teaching to be read following the meditation.

The Meditation. After the teaching there should be a moment of silence while
lights are turned down. The meditation period itself can be introduced by a
couple of minutes of suitable music, such as Margaret Rizza’s or a quiet classical
piece. The meditation period is normally 25 or 30 minutes. If the group is new to
meditation you could begin with 20 minutes and gradually build up from there.
The leader or other member of the group is responsible for timing the
meditation, and can signal the beginning and end of meditation with a soft ring
of a chime or prayer bowl. There are other ways to signal the end of meditation
without making everyone jump out of their skin when the alarm or buzzer goes
off at the end. You could use a quiet alarm or a pre-recorded tape of silence
with a short piece of music at the beginning and end. Preparing for the
meditation period as a time of deep stillness and quiet is an important part of
the job of the group’s leader but it involves everyone.

After Meditation. There may be a brief reading following the period of silence,
preferably repeating a key point in the previous teaching or echoing with a brief
passage from another source. The final part of the group is the sharing or
discussion session. It doesn’t matter if on some weeks people don’t feel like
talking. Then the group should be concluded quietly and people take their leave.
Often though, after a few minutes of sitting in silence, people like to share a
reflection or a question. The group leader can often steer the discussion gently
by referring to a key point or scripture reference made in the talk or sharing
some other related reflection. This should not be a time of debate or
controversy, nor should it be a time for analysis of personal problems and other
life issues. There are other venues better suited for this.

If there are questions the group leader shouldn’t feel obliged to have the

answer. Others in the group may have a good response, and, of course, all

questions need not be answered immediately after they are asked. Group leaders

can get back to members, either privately or at the next session, after further

reflection or after consulting Paul Harris’ book,

Frequently Asked Questions

. If a

question seems unanswerable, it probably is; don’t try to answer it. Allow space

for the mystery, too. In general, a brief time for sharing reflections helps grow a

sense of solidarity and appreciation for the many different gifts and perspectives

that help make a group a community.

K now the Essential Teaching

A PEARL OF GREAT PRICE

SHARING THE GIFT OF CHRISTIAN MEDITATION BY STARTING A GROUP

THE WORLD COMMUNITY FOR CHRISTIAN MEDITATION