The Light of Consciousness

The gift of vision is the wonder of creation. We are empowered to see the reality within which we live and move and have our being. It is not a gift we can ever possess because it is one we are continuously receiving. In returning it, in letting go, we receive it again even more fully. That is why, the longer we have been meditating the more we do so without demands or expectations. Knowing that God has created us to share in being takes possession of us without our knowing it. Yet the light of consciousness we expand into is complete in ways that the ego’s dim self-consciousness never can be. [. . . .] -- John Main OSB

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Feel free to join us on Monday. -- Yes, we will be there on Memorial Day.

John Main on "Reality"

“What is the difference between reality and unreality? I think one way we can understand it is to see unreality as the product of desire. One thing we learn in meditation is to abandon desire, and we learn it because we know that our invitation is to live wholly in the present moment. Reality demands stillness and silence and presence. And that is the commitment that we make in meditating.” —John Main OSB

We hope you will be able to join us Mondays (7:00-7:45 p.m.).

Introductions were made...

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Last night, a couple of dozen people gathered at the St. Rose parish center for "An Introduction to Christian Meditation." Regular weekly group members were in attendance as well.

Greg Ryan led the evening which included a brief discussion of how the group began more than 30 years ago. A DVD titled "The Pilgrimage" narrated by Father Laurence Freeman, Director of The World Community for Christian Meditation presented the basics of John Main's life and teaching on the ancient practice of Christian meditation as passed down through the ages. The DVD included interviews with meditators from around the world who have made meditation the foundation of their daily lives. After some Q&A, refreshments were served. Books, Newsletters (pictured at the left) and hand-outs were made available to help reinforce the teaching.

Of course, as with every meditation meeting, the focus was on the actual meditation period together.

Greg mentioned that if there is enough interest, a Saturday morning meditation group could be started at St. Rose, in addition to the usual Monday evening group hosted by The First Presbyterian Church of Belmar. Contact Greg for more information.

Join us on May 18!

“An Introduction to Christian Meditation”
May 18, 2016
7:00-8:30 p.m.
St. Rose Parish Center
603 Seventh Avenue (Rear entrance)
Belmar, NJ 07719

Contact: Greg Ryan
Tel: 732-681-6238
Email: GJRyan@WCCM.org

Members of the public are cordially invited to “An Introduction to Christian Meditation” offered on Wednesday, May 18 (7:00-8:30 p.m.) at the St. Rose Parish Center; 603 Seventh Avenue; Belmar, NJ. Presenter and weekly meditation group leader, Greg Ryan (a Benedictine oblate), will recount the tradition and practice of this ancient way of silent, contemplative prayer. Today’s world presents challenges to every aspect of our relationships: family, work, and community. Meditation offers a way to finding balance and peace in the face of these challenges and a path to personal growth and well-being. The session will appeal to people from all walks of life and from all spiritual and religious backgrounds. The evening will include a period of meditation, Q&A and refreshments. All are welcome. Information: 732-681-6238 or GJRyan@WCCM.org.

History & Background (www.WCCM.org)

A Brief History of the Group:
The St. Rose weekly meditation group has been meeting Monday nights since 1981, following an introductory presentation on the ancient tradition and practice of Christian meditation given at our parish by Benedictine Father Laurence Freeman, Spiritual Director of The World Community for Christian Meditation. A few years later, since St. Rose had no meeting space at the time, the Belmar Council of Churches offered to host our ecumenical contemplative prayer group, and so our group has enjoyed the hospitality of the First Presbyterian Church of Belmar for more than 30 years now.

Group Leader:
Gregory Ryan, husband and father of two grown daughters and grandfather of two precious little angels, has been a meditator and a Benedictine Oblate member of The World Community for Christian Meditation (www.WCCM.org) for 35 years. Until recently, he was the general editor of the Christian Meditation International NEWSLETTER and Webmaster of www.WCCM.org. He is the editor of OUR HEARTS BURNED WITHIN US: Reading the New Testament with John Main (Medio Media), author of MY HAPPY HEART: Prayer of the Heart for Children, and composer of the companion CD, MY HAPPY HEART SINGS (Medio Media). Greg has published articles on Thomas Merton, John Main and “the new monasticism” in Praying, The Merton Seasonal, The Merton Annual, Sisters Today, Cistercian Studies Quarterly, and Monastic Studies. Most recently, with his wife Liz, he has co-authored a children’s book on Thomas Merton which will be published by Paraclete Press in the spring of 2017.