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 Scenes from Surrey Scenes from Guildford, Surrey Waterfall and pool at Rydal Hall

Retreats and Events in Surrey - 2010

There are several events alread arranged for this year. More will be added as they are organised.

Those who are new to meditation or interested in joining a group can find out more here

You can download details of this years events here (PDF) or here (Word)

Saturday 6 February - On Beginning Meditation

Time: 11.30 am – 3.00 pm

Leader: by Briji Waterfield

Theme: Meditation starts a journey to the centre of our being in stillness, silence and simplicity where we uncover our true identity.  It allows us to root our lives in the spiritual reality of God.  A day to find out more about Christian Meditation as taught by John Main OSB who revived this ancient tradition of contemplative prayer in the Church and made it available to all.  There will be time for meditation and discussion.

Domestics: Please bring a packed lunch.

Cost: Suggested donation £8 

Location: At The House of Prayer, 35 Seymour Road, East Molesey, Surrey KT8 0PB

Booking: To book please call Jean on 01932 852134.


Saturday 13th March - Meditation with Children

Time: 11.00 am – 3.00 pm

Leader: Christine Hill

Theme: Following on from our last exciting action day, there will be a further session for parents, teachers, grandparents et al to discuss how best to promote meditation for children at home and at school.  An information gathering small group will share their findings on this.  Please come.

Location: 11 Molesey Park Road, West Molesey, Surrey KT8 2LB

Domestics: Please bring a packed lunch.

More information: from Gretta on 01932 845482.

Cost: No cost -donation only.


Saturday 25 September - Deepening Your Meditation

Time: 10.00 am – 4.00 pm

Leader: Fr Robin Burgess

Theme: Beyond Desire: A day to explore meditation as the way of going beyond our personal desire so that we can enter "the inner room." There we discover the Spirit of God within and come to harmony between our true self and God's dream for us. The day will include two periods of meditation, reflection on Scripture and time for sharing.

Location: The House of Prayer, 35 Seymour Road, East Molesey KT8 0PB (See the map below)

Domestics: Please bring a packed lunch.

Cost: £15

Booking: please call Gretta on 01932 845482.

All welcome


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Roots of Christian Mysticism

A spiritual journey of discovery - A short introduction to the roots of contemplative prayer.

Monthly talks on Wednesday evenings at 7.30 pm

Location: All these events will be held at St Joseph’s Church, St Margaret’s Drive, Epsom, Surrey KT18 7JQ

Cost: Suggested donation £5

Further information from Colette Stowe on 01372 729212


Finding out more about meditation in Surrey

If you would like to find out more about the activities and groups in Surrey of The World Community for Christian Meditation, UK please contact the Regional Co-ordinator, Briji Waterfield on 020 8941 8788 Mobile 07980 581351 or email briji.waterfield@gmail.com Christian Meditation Trust (UK) Registered Charity No. 1101900


WCCM Birds

Updated: 21-01-2010