Introduction:

As people, particularly of Western societies, we identify very strongly with our individual personalities and identities. Our thoughts, ideas, feelings, wishes, memories, plans, beliefs and hopes are who we say we are – they define us. And in some ways, and to a certain extent, that is correct. It would be very difficult to walk around in this world without all of those things. The problem that this understanding of who we are creates is that, because it is only part of the reality, it prevents us from experiencing the fullness of reality – our greater selves; God’s fullness within God’s creation. Perhaps an illustration will help.

Imagine oneself as an ocean: on the surface of the ocean things change. Some days the ocean is calm and breezy, some days it is languid, other days storms rage and the waves crash upon all and sundry. However, no matter how agitated or becalmed the surface of the ocean is, the depths are calm, peaceful, with deeper rolling movements. The human self is like the ocean: at our depths, where we are aware of our connection with that greater inner reality that Christians call God, we are calm, peaceful and full of vital energy and potential.

Meditation, mindfulness and contemplation help us to open ourselves to become aware of that deeper connection with God. This is not in an unworldly or other-worldly way, but right here is our everyday, mundane and yet potentially exciting, daily life. Being one with “the Altogether” leads to harmony and a feeling of fulfilment and direction not otherwise experienced.

Meditation/Mindfulness/Contemplation:

The main purpose of Concentration meditation is to train the mind. Our minds are very distracted and it is difficult to focus for long on one issue. By attempting, and learning how, to focus our minds on one point we learn how to be in control of our wayward thoughts, and we learn just how wayward and self-creating our minds are. While our lives will serve us good and bad, it is how we interpret and accommodate these events and circumstances that will determine our level of happiness. Our minds are responsible for how we deal with life events. The more control we have over our interpretations and obsessions, the happier we will be.

Sometimes in the contemplative literature the words ‘meditation’ and ‘contemplation’ are used differently from the way they are usually used today. ‘Meditation’ sometimes refers to sustained rational analysis of an issue; a kind of mulling over an issue. Sometimes ‘contemplation’ is used for this process. Today the word ‘meditation’ is used to denote silent, active focusing on a single point, while ‘contemplation’ is used to refer to a point of total stillness and silence that is reached sometimes during meditation or deep prayer; a point which seems to be beyond the active control of the person and through which a sense of deep peace and expansion may be felt.

Quiet Mornings:…Several times a year Quiet Mornings for reflection on a particular theme are held in the peaceful grounds of Holy Spirit Church. Three hours of sitting, wandering, thinking, praying, and being presented with new ways of looking at old issues, is a wonderful way to grow.