The first annual retreat of Christian meditation to be held in Ixtapa, Mexico
Released on = December 31, 2005, 7:30 am
Press Release Author = Meditacion Cristiana
Industry = Education
Press Release Summary = Get ready for an intense spiritual and physical renewal. The
first annual retreat of Christian Meditation is coming to Ixtapa, Mexico!
Press Release Body = The First Annual Retreat Of Christian Meditation To Be Held In
Ixtapa, Mexico
Get ready for an intense spiritual and physical renewal. The first annual retreat of
Christian Meditation is coming to Ixtapa, Mexico in February 2006!
Ixtapa, Mexico, 3 January 2006: From the 17 to the 20 of February 2006, people will
gather to attend the first annual retreat of Christian Meditation at its first
annual retreat in Ixtapa, Mexico. Led by Father Laurence Freeman OSB, a great friend
of the Dalai Lama and a powerful voice for peace within Christianity, the Community
will hold its first annual retreat in Ixtapa, Mexico, where the beauty of nature
meets with the simplicity of the people inhabiting it. Hosted by the Villas Paraíso
hotel, participants will have a chance to peacefully meditate and attend the various
conferences held by Father Freeman. Find all the information in
www.meditacioncristiana.com
Since 1982, Fr. Laurence has been the head of The World Community for Christian
Meditation (WCCM), traveling throughout the world to promote this way of life, and
peace and unity between different faiths. Benedictine Catholics raised him, but he
tried working for the United Nations, journalism, and even banking, before stumbling
on this inner peace within a Christian tradition.
"People should be taught meditation to maintain inner balance and peace", he says,
adding that "It may present a face of Christianity they had never seen before and
which leads them to recognize something they had previously ignored".
Mother Teresa, who suggested two hours of silent prayer to her apostolic sisters,
was known for saying that "silence is God speaking to us".
Origins of Christian meditation
This way of being with God through meditation has deep roots. Early Christian monks
began meditating when they read the Bible slowly. This was called "divine reading",
or lectio divina. This sometimes turned into a wordless love for God, which was
called contemplation.
Dom John Main, the founder of the Christian meditation movement, learned mantra
meditation from Swami Satyananda, a Hindu monk in Malaysia. Fr. John chose the
Arameic word "Maranatha", which means "Come Lord" as his focus in meditation. Jesus
used this word in prayer. In meditation, it is easy and simple. Twice a day, the
practitioners free half an hour of their time to simply "be with God".
John Main passed away in 1982, and his friend Laurence Freeman succeeded him,
founding the WCCM.
This Retreat is not only a gathering point for aficionados of Christian meditation,
it is also an introduction to the peaceful meditation that many people around have
adopted. The breakfast and lunch will be in utter silence, but people will be able
to chat at dinnertime. Though communication is not to be denied, "It is vital to
rediscover the value of silence", concludes Fr. Laurence.
For further information and registration, please contact: Lucia Gayon, organizer.
Tel. +52 (755) 55-3-01-20 and +52 (755) 55-3-01-34. Email:
pax@meditacioncristiana.com Websites: http://www.meditacioncristiana.com and
http://www.wccm.org
Web Site = http://www.meditacioncristiana.com/eventsixtapa.html
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