Learning to Meditate – led by Fr Laurence
In life the easiest time to learn to meditate is in early childhood. But the right time to learn is always now. For this introductory retreat you just have to bring an open mind and childlike heart. And be ready to be surprised at discovering what this simplicity really means in practice. The sessions include teaching on what meditation is (and is not), on reconnecting with the Christian contemplative tradition and with the community that meditation creates. It is a step to exploring in a first-hand the mystery of Christ and why meditation teaches us that faith is not the same as belief.
- Practical advice on posture and timing
- Developing and sustaining a daily practice
- Discovering how meditation creates community
- The liberating difference between mere technique and spiritual discipline
The retreat balances teaching, regular meditation together, time in quiet and the opportunity for personal meetings. In meditation we are always beginners.
This event takes place at Bonnevaux and offers an opportunity to discover the rich cultural and historical French and European heritage of the 12th-century Abbaye de Bonnevaux, as well as to explore the varied and natural beauty of the land which we cultivate as a model of ecological responsibility.
This retreat is both for the beginning and ongoing meditators. There will be four periods of meditation a day to accommodate your level of practice. Mornings will be in silence through breakfast and lunch, with the afternoon opening to times of rest and solitude and a convivial dinner where you can get to know your neighbour.