Desert Fathers and Mothers of Third Century

John Cassian (360 AD-435 AD): This way of stilling the mind and leaving aside all thoughts has been passed down from the earliest of the desert monks who themselves had received it from the apostolic fathers. Just as this was handed down to us by a few of the oldest fathers who were left, so also do we pass it on …to those who truly desire it.”

In response to Jesus words: “when you pray go into your room, shut the door and pray to your father who is there in secret,” Cassian suggests, when we “withdraw our hearts completely from the clatter of every thought and concern and disclose our prayer to the Lord in secret, we pray with the door shut. With closed lips and in total silence we pray to the searcher, not of voices but of hearts.�

A Monastery Without Walls

John Main, Benedictine Monk (1926-1982) founded WCCM (1975)

The all- important aim in Christian Meditation is to allow God’s mysterious presence within us to become more and more not only a reality but the reality which gives meaning shape and purpose to everything we do, to everything we are…

Laurence Freeman, Benedictine Monk, Director WCCM Fr. Main’s successor

With the spiritual guidance of John Main’s writings, we meditate once per week as a group.

The ideal individual practice for adults is twice a day for 20-30 minutes. The group creates community and is a source of teaching and support for our individual practice.

A connection to others, the feeling we are all one

Patience

Peace

Ability to let minor annoyances go

Ability to see God in the world, in myself, everyone I meet and in nature

Ability to trust and recognize goodness and kindness, and the desire to show that to all

Ability to forgive

Creating a Healthy Environment:

Tobacco-free

Walking Trails, Exercise Buddies, Extensive Gym Offerings

Good Nutrition, Healthful Food Options, Organic Vegetable Gardens, Farmers Market on Campus

Campus Ministries

Alcohol-free Social Activities

Stress Management Workshops

Students Requested More Mental Health Services

I saw a tremendous need and I knew how meditation was changing me.

I wanted that for my students.

I wanted them to know their own core of goodness, to know they were loved, to feel we are all one.

I wanted them to be healthy and well in the world.

So I sponsored trainers from WCCM to speak to our campus ministries and counselors.

Now the health center offers group meditation everyday at noon.

Among children 3-17 yrs.:

9.8% (6 million) ADHD

9.4% (5.8 million) Anxiety

8.9% (5.5 million) Behavior Problems

4.4% (2.7 million) Depression

36.7 % of 12-17 year-olds reported having persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness

30-40 % of incoming freshmen are being treated medically

Primary Reason for College Students Across the Country to Use Health Services

Our children are being introduced to God

We already pray in school, attend Mass and learn about the religious traditions of our faith

We have the perfect context to introduce Christian Meditation as a form of prayer

Now with my grandchildren in 5^th and 3^rd grades, I want them to learn this form of prayer

As children we learn prayers.

Mediation is a prayer practice that involves sitting still in silence with God for a period of time each day.

Typically, when meditation is practiced at school the children will meditate for the same number of minutes as their age.

First they learn to sit quietly and breathe with a relaxing breath

They sit in a prayer circle on the floor or in chairs. They may have a candle (battery operated), a small statue, a cross, some flowers in the center to denote this is a special prayer time.

There can be an opening prayer which ends with their prayer phrase Ma-Ra-Na-Tha which means “Come Lord” in Aramaic

Our minds are busy wanderers (perhaps use a visual like the “glitter jar.”)

We return to Ma-Ra-Na-Tha

We are quiet and safe in the place within us where the Holy Spirit resides.

We mediate until the timer chimes, and we return to our desks.

“It helps you let go of all the drama.”

“You can just feel relaxed and not be angry or sad or worried about something.”

“It gives you energy and confidence.”

“After mediation it’s easier to focus on our afternoon work.”

“It helps me think more clearly and make better choices.”

“When we open our hearts to God, He fills us with His love.”

“You feel the goodness deep inside.”

“You become closer to God.”

“You become a kinder person.”

Love

Joy

Peace

Patience

Kindness

Goodness

Faithfulness

Gentleness

Self-Control

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