Resources

John Main: Biography

Stefan Reynolds

The continuity and adaptability of the mystical tradition can be seen in the case of John Main. Drawing on the teaching on prayer of the early desert fathers he took monastic spirituality beyond its traditional boundaries. He showed that ‘pure prayer’ beyond thought and image was a universal calling, the birthright of all Christians and a normal flowering of baptismal grace.......

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for the full article.

‘The School’ and the vital role of the Christian meditation group

Paul Harris and Kim Nataraja

‘The School’ has always acknowledged the very vital role of the weekly Christian Meditation group meeting that is actually the primary delivery system for the ‘Essential Teaching’. The whole purpose of 'The School' is, in fact, to support the group leaders in this essential work, along with meditators who want to deepen their own journey in our tradition.

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Conferences IX & X - On prayer
John Cassian


The aim of prayer is to be continuous. The Way is purity of heart:
"The end of every monk and the perfection of his heart incline him to constant and uninterrupted perseverance in prayer......

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for the full article.

Word into Silence
John Main


The idea underlying the discipline of meditation in John Main's view is the Christian vision of life...

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These articles are also available as a single PDF document. Click here to download.

Password Protected Resources

Here you will find resources which will help you share the gift of meditation with others. This area is password protected, as it is specifically meant for groupleaders and those who will give talks to newcomers.

Do contact Kim Nataraja if you would like to be given the password.

Click here
to access the protected area.

Dancing With Your Shadow

By Kim Nataraja
NOW AVAILABLE at Medio Media.

An insightful and revealing book about
meditation and accepting in joy and
fearless love all the aspects of the Self
and integrating them into a harmonious,
cooperative whole – thus becoming part of the Dance of the Universe..

Click here for more information.

The Blissful Brain

By Shanida Nataraja

NOW AVAILABLE: Gaia Books Ltd at £7.99 (ISBN-13: 978-1856752916)

In her new book, Dr Shanida Nataraja explores the extraordinary research that shows practices such as meditation, tai chi and yoga are not only helpful in reducing stress; they may actually be crucial for good health and optimal brain functioning.

Click here for more information.

Useful Web Resources

Here you will find a collection of useful websites, including the web pages of the World Community, MedioMedia, Friends in Meditation, Meditation with Children and Christian Meditation Group.

Click here to view these links.

The Roots of Christian Mysticism

"The key to a Christian conception of studies is the realization that prayer consists of attention." Simone Weil

"The 'Roots of Christian Mysticism has started its third run this September at the London Christan Meditation Centre at St Mark's Myddelton Square. To read a provisional talk schedule for the year, please click here. For a recommended reading list for the course, please click here.

Click here for an index of the first half-term of the course.

Click here for an index of the second half-term of the course.

Click here for an index of the third half-term of the course.

Click here for an index of the fourth half-term of the course.

Summary of Stefan Reynold's "John Main" talk, The London Christian Meditation Centre, St Mark's, Clerkenwell, 02 May 2006.

Summary of Liz Watson's "Etty Hillesum" talk, The London Christian Meditation Centre, St Mark's, Clerkenwell, 16 May 2006.

Summary of Muriel Maufroy's "Rumi and Sufism" talk, The London Christian Meditation Centre, St Mark's, Clerkenwell, 23 May 2006.

Summary of Rebecca Brewin''s "Simone Weil" talk, The London Christian Meditation Centre, St Mark's, Clerkenwell, 06 June 2006.

Summary of Reverend Graeme Watson's "Brother Lawrence of the Resurrection" talk, The London Christian Meditation Centre, St Mark's, Clerkenwell, 02 May 2006.

Summary of Andrew Louth's "The Jesus Prayer" talk, The London Christian Meditation Centre, St Mark's, Clerkenwell, 20 June 2006.

 

Letters from the International School

Welcome to this series of 'Letters from the International School'. The aim of these letters - as it is of the 'School' of the World Community for Christian Meditation in general - is to support and nurture all meditators, but especially those of you who feel called to share the precious gift of meditation with others. These letters will cover therefore the essential teaching of our Community. To read more, please click here.

Index of letters

Letter 1: What is prayer?
Letter 2: What is meditation?
Letter 3: How did John Main learn about meditation?
Letter 4: Why do we start to meditate?
Letter 5: How do we prepare for meditation?
Letter 6: The universality of meditation
Letter 7: The practice (1)
Letter 8: The practice (2)
Letter 9: The practice (3)
Letter 10: The way of the mantra
Letter 11: Christian meditation can be done by anyone, anywhere
Letter 12: Importance of a weekly meditation group
Letter 13: Guidelines for preparing a talk for a group meeting
Letter 14: Labyrinth of Chartres
Letter 15: Introducing meditation to a mainly Christian audience
Letter 16: What makes our meditation Christian
Letter 17: Sample talks introducing meditation to a mainly Christian audience
Letter 18: Do we ever stop saying the mantra?
Letter 19: The fruits of meditation
Letter 20: Can I change my mantra?
Letter 21: The journey of meditation
Letter 22: The journey of meditation (2)
Letter 23: The problem of distractions
Letter 24: Quotes about the mantra in the Eastern and Western traditions of Christianity
Letter 25: The power of silence
Letter 26: Staying in the present moment
Letter 27: Why do we meditate?
Letter 28: The stages of the journey
Letter 29: The stages of the journey (2)
Letter 30: Entering the silence
Letter 31: Our interior senses
Letter 32: Its simple, but not easy
Letter 33: Meditation - a different way of learning
Letter 34: The roots of Christian mysticism: introduction

Coming soon

Letter 35: The mystical experience of Jesus
Letter 36: St Paul
Letter 37: Gnosticism
Letter 38: Clement of Alexandria
Letter 39: Gregory of Nyssa
Letter 40: Cassian
Letter 41: Benedict


 

Lectio Divina

In this exciting feature, every week a new passage will be posted that can be used for 'Lectio Divina'.

Please click here to read an introduction to the practice of Lectio Divina. Instructions for the use of these passages in a group setting are also available, as is the list of Lectio Divina for 2006.

Click here to read the passages for:

Lectio 1 - a reading from psalm 71
Lectio 2 - a reading from the gospel of Jesus by Luke
Lectio 3 - a reading from the gospel of Jesus by Luke
Lectio 4 - a reading from the gospel of Jesus by Luke
Lectio 5 - a reading from psalm 51
Lectio 6 - a reading from the gospel of Jesus by John
Lectio 7- a reading from the gospel by John 10:11-18
Lectio 8 - a reading from psalm 145
Lectio 9 - a reading from the gospel of Jesus by John
Lectio 10a reading from the gospel of Jesus by John
Lectio 11 - a reading from psalm 8
Lectio 12 - reading from a letter to the Corinthians
Lectio 13 - a reading from psalm 139
Lectio 14 - a reading from the gospel of Jesus by Luke
Lectio 15- a reading from the gospel of Jesus by Luke
Lectio 16- a reading from the gospel of Jesus by Luke
Lectio 17- a reading from the gospel of Jesus by Luke
Lectio 18 - a reading from the gospel of Jesus by Luke
Lectio 19- a reading from the letter to the Hebrews
Lectio 20 - a reading from psalm 40
Lectio 21- a reading from psalm 68
Lectio 22 - a reading from the gospel of Jesus by Luke
Lectio 23 - a reading from psalm 113
Lectio 24- a reading from psalm 146
Lectio 25 - a reading from psalm 146
Lectio 26 - a reading from a letter from Paul to the Corinthians
Lectio 27 - a reading from psalm 64
Lectio 28 - a reading from the gospel of Jesus by Luke
Lectio 29 - a reading from a letter from Paul to the Phillipians
Lectio 30 - a reading from psalm 98
Lectio 31 - a reading from the gospel of Jesus by Luke for the feast of Christ the King
Lectio 32 - a reading from the gospel of Jesus by Luke
Lectio 33 - a reading from the gospel of Jesus by Matthew
Lectio 34 - a reading from the gospel of Jesus by Luke
Lectio 35 - a reading from the gospel of Jesus by Matthew
Lectio 36 - a reading from the psalm 40
Lectio 37 - a reading from the gospel of Jesus by Matthew
Lectio 38 - a reading from the gospel of Jesus by Matthew
Lectio 39 - a reading from the gospel of Jesus by Matthew
Lectio 40 - a reading from the gospel of Jesus by Matthew
Lectio 41 - a reading from the gospel of Jesus by John
Lectio 42 - a reading from the psalm 23
Lectio 43 - a reading from Paul's letter to the Phillipians
Lectio 44 - a reading from the gospel of Jesus by John
Lectio 45 - a reading from the gospel of Jesus by Luke
Lectio 46 - a reading from the gospel of Jesus by Luke
Lectio 47 - a reading from the Acts of the Apostles
Lectio 48 - a reading from the Acts of the Apostles
Lectio 49 - a reading from the gospel of Jesus by Mark
Lectio 50 - a reading from the gospel of Jesus by John
Lectio 51 - a reading from the gospel of Jesus by Matthew
Lectio 52 - a reading from the gospel of Jesus by Matthew
Lectio 53 - a reading from the gospel of Jesus by Matthew
Lectio 54 - a reading from the gospel of Jesus by Matthew
Lectio 55 - a reading from psalm 145
Lectio 56 - a reading from the book of Exodus
Lectio 57 - a reading from psalm 86
Lectio 58 - a reading from the gospel of Jesus by Matthew

Please watch this space for further passages.

 

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