Greetings Everyone,
Recently I arranged a weekend away for myself and students with the purpose to be immersed in meditation, contemplation and stillness. Our venue once again was The Ignatius Centre in Kew which provides the perfect space to do just that. There is really nothing like the experience of time away from routine activities and demands to support our Spiritual life and help our well being in so many ways. In fact it is essential to revitalize energy and to be able to connect with our true Self…….. that still quiet place within.
By turning to the Self, the mind becomes infused with peace….imagine a still lake free from ripples and waves. This feeling of stillness and silence is very refreshing for the body, mind and soul.
Relaxation plays a vital part in the process. Apart from having our personal space to just ‘be’, and our sessions of group meditation, we practiced Yoga Nidra and mindful breathing techniques which help to stabilize the mind and train us to be present. These are essential tools that take us toward deep meditation.
The Labyrinth is always a very special experience, either for prayer or meditation. The walk into the centre is about releasing. In the Centre it is about receiving and the walk from the centre to the threshold is about returning. Saying that, there are no hard and fast rules when experiencing the Labyrinth. It is to do what feels natural. Walk with an open mind and an open heart. The Labyrinth is a metaphor for life. Experiencing the twists and turns and remaining at peace. We even experienced a Labyrinth walk by candlelight on Saturday evening.
At the outset of our retreat I wanted to define Meditation, Contemplation and Silence as I think although one could experience them as the same, it is helpful to be aware of each one individually. So I would like to share those definitions with you now.
I hope you will enjoy reading this and may even consider joining me on the next retreat I have planned on 28th, 29th and 30th September. Be in touch if you would like to inquire.
Love to everyone…….
Joanne. xx
MEDITATION –
There are many kinds of Meditation. In reality they all do the same thing – quieten the mind and help us to experience inner peace. The path toward Meditation and Self-Realisation requires stilling the whirlpools of the mind ‘That we may find our own True Nature’.
There is nothing to attain….We are there already….pure, radiant, peaceful….This is our true nature.
The still mind is the seat of wisdom and insight. The place of inner knowing, of inner truth. Meditation shines the light upon this inner wisdom and insight.
Meditation is not a passive thing as in entering into some empty void. It is actually about seeing the truth of how things are and being at peace.
Making any real progress with it is highly likely to change our life irrevocably.
The longer you meditate, the longer you persevere through the difficulties and false starts, then the clearer it becomes to you, that you have to continue, if you are to lead your life in a meaningful and profound way. Fr John Maine.
CONTEMPLATION
Contemplation is to quiet the superficial mind so that the deep mind can kick in. The mind that knows that everything in this universe is connected to everything else. The deep mind that is drenched with Bodhisattva consciousness or the realisation that in this interconnected world we are held absolutely responsible for loving and valuing and cherishing all parts of it. Cynthia Bourgeault
Contemplation is the action of looking thoughtfully at something for a long time.
When we rest in SILENCE in the presence of peace, we can allow what we have heard and felt to be absorbed into our being.
Silence is the time to rest in love and grace.
Silence is the ground in which inspiration takes root.
