Dom John Main

Dom John Main - the founder of the modern Christian Meditation movement. John Main rediscovered the authentic practice of mantra-based christian meditation by studying the ancient works of John Cassian.

WCCM website

Visit - the World Community for Christian Meditation website.

‘Maranatha’ is an Aramaic word from the time of Jesus, meaning 'Come Lord'. It can be found in Revelation 22.20 (the penultimate verse in the New Testament) and has been used as a prayer word since earliest days of Christianity. When meditating, use it simply as a focus for your attention, without thinking about the meaning of it.

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Bere Island: The birth place of Laurence Freeman's mother and a place to which he has returned from time to time for periods of prayer and solitude. In his book “Jesus, the Teacher Within”, Laurence uses his rediscovery of the island as an allegory of the search for personal identity and the gradual separation of reality and illusion we all need to make in order to grow spiritually.

Scenes from Guildford: The historic town of Guildford is located between the rolling North Downs and the winding River Wey. It has an interesting past that hails back to Saxon times.

Hove: scenes from the sea front.

Laurence Freeman: a Benedictine monk and priest of the Congregation of Monte Oliveto, and director of WCCM. He is also the founder and director of the John Main Center for Meditation and Inter-religious Dialogue at Georgetown University, and author of many books and articles for the Tablet particularly, and a member of the Board of Medio Media.

Central London, viewed from Greenwich Observatory. Can there be space for quiet contemplation in a city like this? Well yes actually! Saint Marks Church in Islington, hosts the London Christian Meditation Centre. Cockfosters Retreat Centre also offers a range of meditation retreats throughout the year, and further meditation events take place at St Peter’s Centre for Meditation and Peace, at Vauxhall, and at Westminster Cathedral

Views, from Loweswater Village Hall. Usually, once a year in the summer, the Cumbrian Christian Meditation group meet here. The hall provides one of the most panoramic views in the Lake District looking up the valley that holds Crummock Water and Buttermere, to Great Gable, which is wreathed in cloud on this occasion.

The Newsletter is released quarterly and is the main source of information for many many members of the Community. In it you will find sections covering news of the Community's leaders, forthcoming retreats and events and a message from Father Laurence Freeman. Contact Saint Mark's Church if you want to receive it. There are details at the foot of this webpage.

North Staffordshire includes the City of Stoke-on-Trent and Newcastle-under-Lyme and their surrounding areas. There are currently three groups in the area: May Bank (Newcastle), Longton (Stoke) and Stone.

Benedictines: John Main, the founder of the World Community for Christian Meditation, and Laurence Freeman, the Community's current leader; a sketch of the Christian Meditation Retreat Centre at Cockfosters and one of the corridors at the monastery of Monte Oliveto.

The Open Gate: a retreat house run by the Community of Aidan and Hilda on Lindisfarne, Northumberland. Courses and retreats on many aspects of christian spirituality are provided each year.

Oxford: Britain's oldest university town.

Portsmouth Catholic Cathedral was built in 1882 and is situated close to the City centre and the home of the Royal Navy.

Waterfall, in the grounds of Rydal Hall, near Ambleside. Meetings organised by the Cumbrian Christian Meditation group often take place here. The mountains of the Lake District make an inspiring backdrop to the grounds of the hall and remind us that although the path of meditation can sometimes appear rather steep and craggy, there is a way to the summit.

Autumn Colours, in the grounds of Rydal Hall, near Ambleside. Meetings organised by the Cumbrian Christian Meditation group often take place here. The mountains of the Lake District make an inspiring backdrop to the grounds of the hall and remind us that although the path of meditation can sometimes appear rather steep and craggy, there is a way to the summit.

Shrewsbury: typical half timbered houses in the town and plate glass windows in the cathedral

Lindisfarne Slakes, in the fading light of a late February afternoon. The tranquility of the sea and sky on this day, might remind us of our quest for tranquility of mind and spirit during meditation.

Staffordshire Moorlands at the southwestern end of the Pennines, provides an opportunity for solitude. The Staffordshire Peak District is distinctly quieter than its more famous Derbyshire neighbour!

Scenes from Surrey famous for its gardens and picturesque villages, and also an area where WCCM UK is very active, with a good number of groups and local events

Painted Ceiling, in one of the corridors of the Vatican Museum, leading to the Sistine Chapel.

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Scenes from Bere Island John Main, Laurence Freeman, Cockfosters, Monte Oliveto Waterfall and pool at Rydal Hall Ceiling paintings in the Vatican Museum WCCM Doves Autumn colours at Rydal Hall Views from Loweswater Village Hall Lindisfarne Slakes Views from Loweswater Village Hall The WCCM UK Newsletter John Main, Laurence Freeman, Cockfosters, Monte Oliveto

The 2011 UK Annual Conference

The international John Main Seminar takes the place of the UK conference in 2010 so there is no separate UK conference this year. The dates for the UK conference in 2011 are June 10th to 12th. It will be held at Swanwick conference centre near Derby and the speaker will be Patrick Woodhouse. Details will be posted here when they are ready.

To give you some idea of the types of events and nature of the UK conference, details of the 2009 conference are show below.

The 2009 UK Annual Conference

Friday 12th June - Sunday 14th June 2009

University of Stirling, Scotland

LEADING THE MIND INTO THE HEART
the path of Christian Meditation

You can download full details of the conference, a booking form and travel instructions in Microsoft Word format here and in PDF format here.

Chalice

Research in neuroscience has shown how meditation can effect brain waves positively, both calming and invigorating the mind.  Those involved in holistic therapy have also noted the healing effect meditation has on the whole person, body, mind and spirit.  In this Conference we will be looking at how meditation integrates us by drawing the mind into the heart where thought and feeling meet.  By centring mind and body in the depths of the spirit we become whole.  By learning selfless attention we learn how to purify the intentions of our heart so that the fruits of meditation are to think wisely, to live fully and love deeply.

Speakers

Gretchen Stevens

Gretchen is Director of the Centre for Complementary Care in West Cumbria, where she has practised healing by gentle touch for 19 years, with remarkable results. She says, “A discipline of silence, meditation and prayer lies at the heart of the work. Healing follows as a natural consequence”. Gretchen spoke at the 2002 conference and was very well received.

Stefan Reynolds                             

Stefan is an Oblate of The World Community for Christian Meditation. He learnt meditation with Bede Griffiths in India and over the years has worked with Mother Theresa, and at L'Arche, and has run his own restaurant in London. He is currently working on a PhD in English Medieval Mysticism and is regularly asked to teach on meditation and the mystics.

Shanida Natajara

Dr Nataraja trained as a neuroscientist and is the author of ‘The Blissful Brain’, a book which presents the scientific rationale for the integration of meditation in our everyday lives. Shanida has practised mindfulness meditation for many years, and has received basic instruction in Christian mantra meditation, Tai Chi, Chi Gung and yoga. She presented an excellent evening on ‘The Blissful Brain’ at the London Centre earlier this year.

Music

‘CAIM’ - a capella Celtic singing duo, Jacynth Hamill from N. Ireland and Heather Innes from Scotland will enrich the weekend. (www.cluniemusic.com)

Workshops

Among the choices will be Yoga, Tai Chi, Simple Massage, The Blissful Brain,
Hitting the Wall, Learning to Meditate, Meditation Surgery, From Garden of Eden to Kingdom of Heaven…..

Further Information & Enquiries

Contact: Jacqueline Russell

Tel: 01296 488450

University of Stirling

It is very good to be holding the Conference in Scotland for the first time. Stirling is “the gateway to the Highlands”. The University claims to occupy the most picturesque campus in Europe, set in parkland overlooked by the Ochil Hills and the Wallace (Braveheart) monument. It is 2 miles outside Stirling.  If you are a long way from Stirling you may want to work out travel arrangements or consider extending your stay in Scotland before you decide to book, so there is an information sheet enclosed.

Stirling University

 

Accommodation

Participants will stay on campus in a student hall of residence.  You can choose between single ensuite rooms or a single room in a cluster of seven with shared facitilites. There are no double/twin rooms.  Some level access rooms are available, but there are no lifts in the accommodation. Campus is mostly flat, with a few moderate inclines, and is wheelchair friendly. Walking times from accommodation to conference meeting rooms are max. 7/10 minutes and the path takes you across the loch.

Fees and Bursaries

Conference fees are shown below:

The Community has set aside some funds to help meditators who could not otherwise afford to come to the Conference (such as the unwaged). Bursaries covering up to 75% of the Conference fees are available. Apply early as the funding is limited. To apply, contact Roger Layet, 3 Linemere Close, Backwell, Somerset BS48 3PX.

Tel: 01275 463727

You may be asked to provide a reference.

Booking You Place!

This year, we are not allowing online booking. You will need to download the conference details and booking form, print out the booking form, complete it and use normal postal services and send a cheque.

Payment is by cheque payable to: ‘Christian Meditation Trust (UK)’ (Please do not make cheque out to WCCM). Send a deposit of £50 for residents, or £30 for non-residents, with the Booking Form. This is non-refundable after 1st May 2009. The full amount is due by 1st May 2009. Please return your completed form with cheque to: UK Conference 2009, Jacqueline Russell, 15 Helford Close, Aylesbury, Bucks. HP21 8BG.

You can download full details of the conference, a booking form and travel instructions in Microsoft Word format here and in PDF format here.

Personal Requirements

As far as possible we will attempt to meet any particular dietary requirements (e.g. vegetarian) and make allowances for any special needs (e.g. level access room)

FULL TRAVEL INFORMATION

By Road

The campus is located on the A9 between Stirling and Bridge of Allan. If travelling from the south, via the M80/M9, or from the North via the A9, take the Bridge of Allan turn-off at the Keir roundabout (junction 11). The campus is located 2.5 miles away (go through Bridge of Allan). Park initially in Cottrell car park, leave your luggage and walk to Queens Court (signed) – about 150 yards – and go into the Andrew Miller building and up stairs to register. You will be directed to another car park nearer to the accommodation after registration.

By Rail

Stirling is connected to Glasgow Queen Street (3 trains/hour, journey time 25- 40 minutes) and Edinburgh Haymarket and Edinburgh Waverley (2 trains/hour, journey time 50 minutes). Trains from the south to Glasgow arrive into Glasgow Central: it is a walk of a few hundred yards from Central to Queen Street. Trains from the south to Edinburgh stop at both Haymarket and Waverley: for Stirling, it is better to change at Haymarket.

By Air

Glasgow and Edinburgh airports are the obvious routes. In Glasgow, the airport bus takes you to various city centre stops. You need Glasgow Queen Street station, not Glasgow Central. Buses run every 10 minutes, journey time about 20 minutes, return fare £6.50. In Edinburgh, the airport bus calls at Haymarket en route to Waverley, its terminus. Every 10 minutes, journey time 20/25 minutes, fare £5 return. If coming this way, we recommend that you alight at Haymarket: this is advertised as the airport link station and will save you time. The driver usually announces when he is arriving at the Haymarket bus stop. From Stirling Station, either take a taxi (2 mile journey) or walk a hundred yards or so to Murray Place where you can catch any one of buses 50, 53,54, 58, 62 or 63 – all of which will set you down at Queens Court just outside the Andrew Miller building. Go in and up the stairs to register.

A note for disabled participants: if you come by car, drive straight to Queens Court where there are disabled setting down spaces. After entering the Andrew Miller building, look for the lift to avoid the stairs.

Eco-reminder: please consider the environmental impact of your travel choice. The main airlines flying to Scotland offer easy to use carbon offset schemes.

More Information

For more info about travel, facilities for the less able, or other queries, but not for booking, please contact Margaret McLaughlin 0141 569 7767 or email Roger Layet.

Extending You Stay

If you are interested in staying longer at Stirling, the University would be pleased to give you more information, or to send you its Visitors Guide brochure, which includes a list of local attractions such as Stirling Castle, Bannockburn battle site and the Falkirk Wheel.

Contact holidays@stir.ac.uk or 01786 467142 or Commercial Operations Department, University of Stirling, Stirling, Scotland FK9 4LA. Website www.holidays.stir.ac.uk

 

WCCM Birds

Updated: 01-01-2009