Meditation in the Media
Father Laurence Freeman Meets the Dalai Lama
In June 2012 Father Laurence met the Dalai Lama. You can see a short video clip of their discussion on YouTube here and read a much fuller account on the main WCCM site here
From Worth Abbey website.
The team responsible for the documentary The Monastery have filmed another production, 'The Big Silence', which was transmitted in October 2010, in which three women and two men explored silence and prayer in their busy lives. Worth Abbey is not the exclusive setting for this series; the participants experienced an eight day silent Ignatian retreat at St Beuno's Jesuit Retreat and Spirituality Centre in North Wales. They then explore silence and prayer in their everyday busy lives.
The programmes are now finished but there are still comments and reflections on it and the need for silence in general on the BBC website here.
Visit www.johnmain.org where you can listen to 10 talks by John Main, himself.
MP3 Audio Downloads
Be patient - these are large files and will take several minutes to download. You can then open them with any MP3 player, e.g. Windows Media Player, iTunes, etc., or save them onto your iPod!
Meditatio Podcasts for 2013
Meditatio Podcasts for 2012
Radio Wales 09/01/2010 - All things considered
Roy Jenkins talks to Liz Watson about the benefits of meditation. You can listen to the interview here.
Radio Shropshire 03/01/2010
Jon Kille and Les Glaze talk to Mike George on the subject of Christian Meditation on the Mike George Sunday Breakfast. You can listen to the interview here.
Aylesbury Event 21/10/2009
You can download MP3 audio files of Father Lawrence's recent talks at Aylesbury below. You will need to download both files to listen to the whole event.
Cobham Event 14/06/2009
What on earth does “spirit” mean?
The evening was hosted by the Elmbridge Multi-Faith Forum, at Sacred Heart Church, Cobham, Surrery. You can download a PDF report on the multi-faith evening evening event led by Fr Laurence Freeman OSB in Cobham here.
You can also download MP3 audio files of the event below. Some of the files are quite large, so be prepared to wait while they download:
- Introduction (7.64MB)
- Father Laurence's Talk (53.05MB)
- Questions and Answers (17.47MB)
- Closing Speech (9.90MB)
June 14 2009, Laurence's interview BBC Southern Counties Radio
Some older recordings
In the following four broadcasts Fr Laurence outlines various aspects of Christian Meditation in response to interviewer's questions:
- Sunday 29 March 2009, Radio Sussex
- Sunday 22 March 2009, Radio Oxford
- Sunday 22 March 2009, Radio Shropshire
- Sunday 22 March 2009, Radio Berkshire
Sunday Feature, Radio 3, Sunday 22nd February 2009 - Dr Rowan Williams, the Archbishop of Canterbury, explores the realms of silence, its spiritual qualities and significance in human life. In conversation with people of different backgrounds and experience, the Archbishop reveals the elusive state of silence, with its risks, fears and rewards. Featuring Evelyn Glennie, Sara Maitland, the Chief Rabbi, Sir Jonathan Sacks, and Zen Buddhist John Crook.
Beyond Belief, BBC Radio 4, 3rd January, 2008 - a discussion about meditation with Liz Watson, David Midgeley, Dr Susan Blackmore and Ernie Rea
Leading Edge, BBC Radio 4, December 2007 - a short clip about the benefits of meditation
Brother Martin from Shantivarnam - a talk in London
BBC Radio South Counties - An interview with Laurence Freeman
Fr Laurence's Talk at Guildford Cathedral - Meditation as a meeting place - BBC Radio South Counties
BBC Radio Four - An episode of Sunday Worship on Radio 4 transmitted on 2nd November 2008, looking at the life of Thomas Merton
Into Great Silence
Scenes from the film are shown below. You can download Laurence Freeman's review of the film here

Updated: 01-03-2011