Jacq on ...

After achieving the Methodist study on Discipleship, (which took me six months including  reading a large part of the bible), I felt I needed to improve my conscious contact with GOD through prayer and meditation.
 
I had heard a lot about meditation but felt my spaghetti-thoughts in my  head would never be still long enough. Not so! After 12 years I can stay in the presence of GOD with my thoughts in the right place for 40 minutes or more daily - in the quiet of my home, even on a train and particularly when walking and staying in the moment with GOD.
 
Of course, I needed support. Literature, primarily the bible, daily readings and study plans have all helped - as well as retreats and quiet days. I went twice to Douai Abbey. They are part of the Methodist retreat network and hold two quiet weekends a year.
 
Meditation was adapted from Buddhism by Christian monks.  So for anyone starting out I would recommend the book ‘Finding your hidden treasure – the way of silent prayer’ by Benignus O’Rourke OSA. It is a short reading and will show you the way into silent mediation. It is based on the writings of St. Augustine.
 
Now I regularly attend Shallowford House in Stone, which has quiet days and some led quiet days. The grounds are just beautiful and are like a garden of Eden with peacocks, llamas, shire horses, chickens and goldfish. You have the use of a beautiful Edwardian house with its library, lounges, wonderful chapel and prayer room.  On request, it includes communion as Rev. Alison is resident. They also provide lunch. Even in lock down I have been there. Of course we had to wear masks in communal areas but there are never more than a few people present.
 
At these retreats or quiet days it shows you how to control your breathing, sit comfortably and be open to GOD. ‘To reach the place where CHRIST awaits us we need to be prepared for long periods of silence and quiet, long enough for our doubts to dissolve, our cares to lose their urgent pressures, our uncertainty to give way to trust. To wait in silence for as long as it takes us to be taken eventually to the still centre, where we find the mind has become quiet, and the heart is at peace. And in the stillness we find GOD.’
- from ‘Hidden Treasure’
 
In the beginning I thought I would never have the patience, but now meditation is the most important part of my day. I look forward to it.  As I light my candle, I have that warm feeling that only the Lord can give me - the greatest love of all. It right sizes any problems and puts me in a place of serene, tranquil peace. I now even take a small journal on holiday with me to write my thoughts from my daily readings and phone bible.
 
So how did I get started? First five minutes very quickly became ten and so forth. This for me includes:
· Lighting a candle
· Position comfortable with eyes closed, if that helps or stare at your focal point, a candle or art form
· BREATHING is very important – deep breathing and relaxation
· Music - mostly sacred
· Journaling daily to keep record of thoughts or inspirational reading quotes.
· Art – you can look at a painting and decide where God is in the painting and where you are - or see the beauty in a landscape
 
There is no right or wrong way. GOD is pleased with our efforts . You will quickly feel the presence of the Holy Spirit with you. I find it has become the most essential part of my day. Why not try yourself?