The Art of Meditation & Centering Prayer

 Fr. Robert Daniel introduced the art of meditation and Centering Prayer to about 20 parishioners who turned up for the monthly Holy Hour this evening from 8.00 - 9.00 pm.

Christian Meditation was pioneered by John Main and Lawrence Freeman taught Centering Prayer as a way of approaching God. It appears a simple way of praying but it can be the hardest thing to do in life.
Lawrence Freeman, a Benedictine Monk,  introduced 3 basic things we must have in meditation:
     (1) Attentiveness 
     (2) Mindfulness 
     (3) Awareness - to allow presence of God to come into our lives

The Art of Meditation:   How to practise the art of meditation.
     (1) Close your eyes. Be comfortable. Feel free to adopt any posture or position.
     (2) It is best to sit with your back straight. Not too relaxed as the mind will wonder away. Attentiveness.
     (3) Begin with a mantra. The early Christians used to pray in Aramaic this Mantra : "Maranatha" which              translated in English, "Come Lord Jesus"
     With eyes closed, keep repeating this mantra and allow the word to vibrated in mind, heart and body.
      If the mind wanders, bring back the word/mantra "Come Lord Jesus"

The basis of Centering Prayer is to come back to the center whenever our mind wanders by repeating the mantra, "Come Lord Jesus".  Don't worry about your mind wandering (it's only natural to be distracted during meditation). What's more important is  you return to the center every time you wander. It's simple but hard to do.  It is a challenge to us to allow God to come into our lives.

Be slow in Meditation. Mindfulness means that we are aware of  and we feel our physical movements, pain etc, but we deliberately slow down our movements/reactions until we are able to reach a point of nothingness a state of total 'silence' within us i.e. when we experience the 'Presence of God" - when God will make Himself present to us.

Fr. Robert encouraged all  to practice the art of Meditation, starting with at least 10 minutes daily. We will feel the effects of meditation in our lives and will able to overcome worries, tension and stress. Most important, we will come closer to God as we get to know our true selves. As St. Augustine said, "Know Thyself".