Fresh Air & Meditation
Dear friends and members of St. Matt's,
Tonight at 7pm, we'll begin a series together exploring the practice of Christian Meditation. Many of you will likely have explored meditation at some point in your life, probably with some connection to eastern religions. Meditation has been proven to change our brains - to have positive effects on our health and wellbeing. It can reduce anxiety, increase happiness, and lead to a greater sense of groundedness in our day-to-day lives. When we explore meditation in our own tradition, we are invited into the ancient practice of many who went before us. And we are invited to know the nearer presence of God which is, in fact, always in and around us. James Finley, who wrote the book that will ground our series, defines meditation as our ability to experience our own oneness with God.
Whether you've read the book or not, whether you've ever tried to meditate or not, or if you fancy yourself rather the guru, join us tonight for the beginning of this conversation. Throughout the series, we'll explore some of the practical pieces of this kind of contemplative prayer as well as some of the people who have shared their experiences with us. They include some really interesting names: Bernard of Clairvaux, Teresa of Avila, Therese of Lisieux, St. Benedict, Julian of Norwich, and St. Francis of Assisi. Together, we often refer to them (and a few others!) as the mystics. Their experience and their writing calls us further into the mystical presence of God.
In conversations with many of you, I hear similar themes of anxiety and frustration. Many of you are longing for a break - for some (both real and metaphorical) fresh air. Often for me, that fresh air comes from my own practice of prayer and meditation. And I know when I say that, for some people that sounds so unattainable - but it's not. There are simple, accessible steps you can take to begin to practice and to have that fresh air for yourself. In this time of anxiety and confusion, of unrest and frustration, as the world swirls around us for a whole host of reasons, I really can't think of a better time to find some space for yourself and for God. I can't imagine a better time to take on a practice of prayer and meditation that will strengthen your relationship with, love of, and connection to God and your neighbor. A steady practice of meditation helps us create internally a space to which we can retreat even in the midst of chaos, a space that enlivens us as it awakens us to God's presence. Curious? Confused? Excited? Not sure that's possible? Come and join the conversation.
Faithfully,
--Marissa +
Tags: Welcome from the Rector