The Second School for Teachers of Christian Meditation was held in Burlington, Vermont on August 17-19, 2007. There were four leaders from the World Community of Christian Meditation and seven candidate teachers principally from the New England and New York area. Gene Bebeau opened with a presentation on the dynamics of Christian meditation and the community it creates. He stressed the importance for prayerful people of sharing with one another their contemplative journey. He gave a second presentation on the spiritual and psychological stages of a person’s growth in prayer. Peter DeMarco discussed the essential teachings of John Main’s contemplative path. Ken Poppe gave a talk on the historical roots of the Christian mystical tradition giving the students an insight into the different important leaders who were instrumental in articulating this tradition through the ages. Patti Gulick gave a practical presentation on the dynamics to set up a weekly meditation group in the John Main tradition. In all, the weekend gave the candidate teachers a good foundation in understanding the John Main contemplative path and its historical roots and practical advice in setting up a prayer group that meets on a regular basis. It is hoped that they will return to their communities and be able to set up meditation groups in their areas.
The weekend conference was held at the Rocky Point School situated on the shore of Lake Champlain in Burlington - a large and majestic lake with beautiful vistas into the Adirondack Mountains. The closing prayer and sending forth ceremony was held in a lakeside chapel - a beautiful setting to terminate the weekend school and to animate the candidate teachers to go out in their new mission.

Robert Trabold

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Hi Ken and Gene,
Well, here I am back in my office and still I feel like I have not yet landed. That was one of the best retreat/workshop experiences I have ever attended and I have attended loads of them over the years. I will be sending on the evaluation but I didn't want to let the day go without thanking you both for such a life shaking experience. I am deeply moved and I am not sure what to do with it but I'm sure the Spirit will lead the way.

With deep thanks
Dennis McCann

It was a great blessing that I attended the workshop in Vermont. I did enjoy your presentation very much.

Love and prayers
Fr. Bose