Meditation and Movement at SJA Ongoing Mondays from 7-8:30

Note: The Meditation Series discontinued in 2003

The SJA Movement / Meditation group continues to gather Monday evenings in the Parish Center from 7:00 to 8:30 pm.

This loose, growing and informal group has been gathering since September 24, 2001 to practice group prayer and meditation that is based on the old Christian tradition of Centering Prayer.

The group begins with a welcoming and introduction for new attendees. While certain methods or processes are explained, participants are reminded that there are no “Right” ways to meditate and pray.

Next comes a few simple movements and breathing exercises designed to “shake off” the stress and worries of the day and make it easier to relax and become centered. Participants sit down when they are ready and begin their prayer / meditation.

The silent centering prayer period lasts about 20 minutes. When the time is expired, participants are asked to slowly come back to the presence of the group. This is followed by a relaxed and comfortable sharing of techniques used and personal insights and experiences gained from the meditation.

The Centering Prayer movement seems to have started in Catholic monasteries, to reach out to those having to live in the real world. It has since spread to the point that there are far more non-Catholics involved in the movement than Catholics. It is a good meeting point for those who left the Christian church to explore Buddhism, Kundalini, TM, and such practices - trying to fill some void inside themselves that standard church on Sunday didn't touch.

Centering Prayer is a type of contemplative prayer - a Christian form of meditation that has been practiced for centuries. Basically, it is a way of offering ourselves to God, consenting to being changed by the Holy Spirit as God wills, and keeping quiet so God can get a word in edgewise.

In the words of Teresa Carrigan, “It is similar to many forms of meditation, but there are also differences. When a Christian refers to meditation in the context of prayer, normally what is meant is discursive meditation - an extremely active thinking about the scriptures, Jesus, or other religious pondering.”

“Centering Prayer is primarily a conscious relationship with God. We open ourselves wordlessly and consent to God’s presence and allow God to change us.”

Rik Murray has been attending the 11:00am service at SJA off and on for about 15 years. He loves to share this time with his mom, step-dad, sister and nephew. Rik is a regular member of the SJA Bible Study and also enjoys the Meditation Group.

The SJA Meditation group welcomes and respects the personal experiences and journeys of all who wish to participate. If you want to know more about the Christian tradition of Centering Prayer / Meditation, or experience a simple, silent, group meditation in the tradition of the Saints (Teresa of Avila/John of the Cross come to mind), please join us.

Nancy Lynch says, "Joy is being a wife, Mom of fourteen, eight with varying disabilities and living at home, Grandma of thirteen, and Great Grandma of three. Serenity is listening and watching the ocean, alone, at our home on Maui. Passion is friends, photography, reading, swimming and children. .