Meditation in Salisbury
Saturday 14th March 2009
A day of meditation will be led by Richard Bolber in
St. George's Church Hall, Lower Street, West Harnham, Salisbury, SP2 8EY
Richard is familiar
to those who have participated in previous Meditation Days in Salisbury and retreats of the
Meditation Fellowship which have been led by David Monk.
For details call: Kay at 01722 325737,
Jo on 01722 335199 or Brenda at 02380 555333
All faiths and No faith welcome
In the previous Days of Meditation led by David Monk in
Salisbury the several sessions were interspersed with breaks starting with an introduction to basic
meditation.
Following sessions addressed
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;
Spirituality after which participants shared and contributed to
discussions on their life experiences that they felt represented Spirituality;
Healing our wounded world(especially relevant in times of war in Iraq and Afganistan);
Meditational physical exercises - a series of short and gentle exercises;
Circle dances
for peace.
A lunch is shared between the morning and afternoon sessions.
Our times together have been relaxing, refreshing and insightful. We took from these days 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 was read on one of these occasions:
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."