Meditation in Salisbury
Saturday 24th March 2007
A day of meditation will be led by David Monk in the
Reading Room at Stratford Sub-Castle.
For details call: Kay at 01722 325737,
Jo on 01722 335199 or Brenda at 02380 555333
All faiths and No faith welcome
A previous Day of Meditation led by David Monk was held in
Salisbury when about 30 people participated in
the several sessions interspersed with breaks and starting with an introduction to basic
meditation. The following session was entitled Healing breath and healing sound in which
breathing was used as a vehicle for meditation and the sounds traditionally used to promote
meditation were explored. After the shared lunch a series of short and gentle meditational
physical exercises led by Jo Simmons started the afternoon sessions. The next session consisted
of a talk by David Monk on Spirituality after which the participants shared and contributed to
discussions on their life experiences that they felt represented Spirituality. Healing our
wounded world (especially relevant at the time of war in Iraq) was addressed in the
following session which included forming the group into a circle of healing. At the end of our
day, a circle dance of peace was led by Brenda Knopf and, finally the Irish Blessing was sung.
Our time together was relaxing, refreshing and insightful. We took from this day a deeper
understanding of ourselves and others, and we felt that the Love at the heart of who we are was
released to help heal our broken and wounded world. An interpretation of the words of
St. Francis were read:
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is sadness, joy;
Where there is darkness, light.
May I not so much seek to be consoled, as to console;
Not so much to be understood, as to understand;
Not so much to be loved, as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive,
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
It is in dying that we are born again to eternal life.
David Monk who has written the
following:
"When meditation is practised regularly it has the effect of improving the quality of life.
Benefits such as greater clarity of thought, calmness in stressful situations, more energy for
living and increased sensitivity towards other beings, are just some of the results of regular
meditation. Meditation is also found to promote physical and mental healing: it is used
especially as a method of treatment for stress related illnesses.
Although the contemplative traditions of the world are the roots from which contemporary
meditational practices have evolved, meditation need have no connection with any particular
religious beliefs or persuasions. It can be practised without recourse to uncomfortable physical
postures or the inducement of hypnotic states. For many people mystique gathers around the word
meditation, but there is essentially no mystique about it; it is simply a mental discipline
which promotes inner stillness and helps to lay a solid base from which to live a more creative
and fulfilling life. No special knowledge is required to learn to meditate."