Christian meditation

On the first and third Sundays of the month we hold a simple, Christian meditation.

We sit in in a circle in the chancel (immediately in front of the altar). After a few short prayers, led by a lay member of the church, we spend 20 minutes in silence.

It is a lovely way to spend time in the presence of God, and it is very peaceful, with the silence rarely broken by anything other than birdsong.

You're very welcome just to come for the meditation or to stay on for outdoor church and breakfast.

Scroll down for some FAQs about meditation and a short video showing what to expect.

FAQs about Christian meditation

I've never meditated before. Does that matter?

It doesn't matter a bit. You don't have to do anything special other than sitting in silence, and there will be some brief instructions at the beginning suggesting a word to repeat in your mind or something to focus on.

Is it ever outdoors?

No, we always meet at the front of the church. It's only after meditation ends that we head outdoors for breakfast and outdoor church.

Is it OK if I leave straight after the meditation?

Absolutely! Some people just join us for meditation and then leave; some stay on to have a bit of breakfast (outdoors); still others stay on for Outdoor Church. It's completely up to you and what works best for you.

Is it hard sitting still for 20 minutes?

It might take a bit of getting used to if you've never done it before, but we always make it clear that it's absolutely find to cough, swallow, open your eyes and move around a bit if you need to. We are not statues!

I find it really hard to clear my mind - does it matter?

Not at all! Many of us have days (sometimes every time) when our minds race and won't settle. Some find focusing on a short Bible passage which we read at the beginning is a help; others use rosary beads or internally say a mantram. There are no rules. We believe God is just delighted that we are there spending time with Him.

What's the difference between Christian meditation and mindfulness / Eastern meditation?

Good question! There are many parallels between the two - we may well silently repeat a mantram (typically, maranatha - an Aramaic word meaning, "Come, Lord" or "the Lord comes"), and we try to free our mind from distractions and intrusive thoughts - but there are also some differences.

As theologian Peter Toon puts it, Eastern meditation, "is an inner journey to find the center of one’s being" whereas Christian meditation is "the concentration of the mind/heart upon an external Revelation".

Essentially we are seeking to rest in the presence of God.

There's a great explanation of Christian meditation here.