In mid-July, the Bristol Centring Prayer group invited members of the WCCM to share an afternoon of meditation and Qi Gong.
We met at the Frenchay Quaker Meeting House to explore the theme of Gravity, Grace, and Gratitude.
Whilst the specific method of meditation practice differs for each group, we prayed and sat together in shared silence.
Between our sits we walked slowly and mindfully in a circle around the Meeting House’s beautiful garden, surrounded by trees and bird song.
We then took part in a led practice of Qi Gong, the ancient Chinese art of working with life energy and cultivating stillness in motion.
The gentle and repetitive movements of Qi Gong help to calm the nervous system, strengthen immunity, exercise the joints and muscles, and stimulate the imagination.
Several people remarked that the inner stillness of this practice complemented our meditation.
Throughout the day, as we sat indoors or moved gently in and through the natural space of the garden, I became aware of the interconnected character of our theme.
I felt so grateful for the grace that runs continually through our gravity-bound bodies and for our opportunity to practice together. Gravity is one of the organizing principles of the physical, incarnated universe, and gratitude for the grace of creation seemed to flow amongst us all.
The afternoon concluded with a short period of prayer and sharing, where people expressed gratitude for the afternoon’s practice and WCCM members thanked the Bristol Centring Prayer Group for graciously inviting us to practice with them.
Peter Jaeger
Peter will be a leading a short Qi Gong workshop at the WCCM Southwest 2025 retreat at Ammerdown 19 – 21 September ‘Waking up to Who We Are: From Separation to Union’ given by Chris Collingwood, Canon Emeritus of York.