Click to see U.S. News!
Welcome to the U.S. website of the World Community for Christian Meditation! Here you can find:
Local meditation groups, thoughout the US .
Basic information on meditation in the Christian tradition as recovered and passed on by John Main and Laurence Freeman.
News of events and retreats, our current newsletter, and links to our International Website.
The World Community for Christian Meditation, which is inclusive of all denominations, shares a commitment to the discipline of meditation inspired by the early Christian Desert Fathers and Mothers, and John Cassian in particular, which was taught and articulated by Fr. John Main, OSB (1926-1982). It transforms our lives in its twice daily practice and creates a community that constitutes a monastery without walls.
Our commitment is to share the teaching and practice of Christian meditation, leading to an ever-deepening union with the living Christ present within us all. As we incorporate a daily practice of meditation into our lives, we find we are then naturally turned outward into practical care for all members of the human family and experience from within an increasing respect for the interdependence of all creation. The worldwide activities and programs of WCCM, now led by Fr. John’s successor, Fr. Laurence Freeman, OSB can be viewed at www.wccm.org.
We believe that understanding the gift of meditation is truly gained in the experience and practice of meditation, more than in the reading or study about it, so we welcome you to visit a group near to you or find an introductory event to attend. Meditation creates community. If you live too far for personal contact, please delve deeply into the information on this site, as well as our International site. We have begun the practice of “virtual groups” to specifically address the need of isolated meditators, so check out that page and contact us for more information.
BE STILL AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD – Psalm 46:10
“The all important aim in Christian Meditation is to allow God’s mysterious and silent presence within us to become more and more not only a reality, but the reality which gives meaning, shape and purpose to everything we do, to everything we are….”
John Main, OSB
U.S. News
October 7 – 9, 2016 – Houston, TX
A Contemplative Retreat with Martin Laird OSA
Dominican Spirituality Center
Houston, Texas 77021
Fr. Martin Laird draws on the ancient wisdom of both the Christian East and West. He is the author of many articles and books, including Into the Silent Land and A Sunlit Absence: Silence, Awareness, and Contemplation.
US National Conference to follow, October 9-10, 2016
(same location): Dominican Spirituality Center
Houston, Texas
For more information, click here
Meditation with Children
Adults who practice Christian Meditation are inspired to share our way of prayer with others, including and especially with the children in their lives. From Florida to California, in Chicago and Phoenix, Houston and Virginia, children are learning how to meditate in the Christian tradition.
- Many meditating adults are teachers at private and parochial schools.
- Some volunteer at non-profits that serve families.
- Others are in the healthcare field at hospitals and other medical facilities. Some therapists and counselors teach Christian meditation to children.
- Christian summer camps introduce meditation to young campers.
- Religious education catechists from pre-school to high school are sharing the gift.
These dedicated adults see the value of Christian meditation in their own lives. They learned the practice on a retreat, at a seminar, in a local Christian meditation group. As the generosity of the Spirit expands in their hearts, they are moved to help children discover and experience this same Love that dwells within all of us. Children are very open to Christian meditation. They hunger for the silence and for relationship with God.
Perhaps you are in a position to teach Christian meditation to children, youth, or young adults. If you are interested in promoting the spiritual growth and mental health of the young people in your life, consider how you might share the gift with them. For more information, please contact us at mwc@wccm-usa.org.
See Meditation with Children.
School of Meditation
Been meditating for awhile in our tradition and want to gather with others in community to deepen your practice? Read why one meditator loves our Essential Teaching Weekends……and then check the schedule on our Events page for upcoming dates. For free materials with which to introduce meditation in your community, see the School of Meditation website, and click on Resources tab.
Curious about our oblate program?
Want to know more about our Monastery Without Walls? How does our Benedictine background inform our present multi-denominational sense of community? See our Oblates page….
In a 12 Step program?
and want to connect with others who are and who meditate? See resources at our Meditation and 11th Step Practice page. Read how Christian meditation as we practice it underpins our approach to the 11th Step in this article, published in the Meditatio series, Meditation and Mental Health
And those in prison sometimes find themselves challenged to new beginnings, by the gift that a meditation practice brings. And click here to explore the “Monastery without Walls, Behind Walls”
WCCM Flowers in the Caribbean!
Thanks to the generosity of donors from the US, Canada and around the world, Fr. Laurence recently traveled to the Caribbean to share the gift of Christian Meditation. In this inspiring report by Sr. Ruth Montrichard, children who experienced meditation for the first time tell their own stories. With renewed encouragement and support, Sr. Ruth outlines an impressive follow up plan for pilot programs in schools, introductory programs in parishes, training of teachers, six week courses, establishing a council and more. Sr. Ruth, our wonderful Coordinator in the Caribbean, is a dynamo! She has great vision and works tirelessly with her team to bring Christian Meditation to the islands.
To read her wonderful report, Click Here
