Meditation Opportunities 

Thursday evenings at 1^st Presbyterian  

We will meet for meditation on all Thursdays in September and October from 7:00 – 9:00 pm in the fellowship hall. Our format for the first hour is two 20-minute periods of sitting in silence with a 10 minute walking meditation in between.  For the second hour, we are watching videotapes of Fr. Thomas Keating’s “Spiritual Journey” series.  This series is produced by Contemplative Outreach, Ltd. and describes the method and background of Centering Prayer developed and taught by Thomas Keating, a Cistercian monk at St. Benedict’s Monastery in Snowmass, Colorado.

The topics the series covers are Developing Centering Prayer, Models of the Human Condition, Paradigms of the Spiritual Journey, and Contemplation the Divine Therapy.  

Tuesday evenings at Hei’s house

Hei has opened his house to those who would like to join him for meditation from 6:00pm – 6:30pm on Tuesdays. There will be no Tuesday evening meditation in September and it will begin again on Tuesday Oct. 1.   It is one half hour of sitting meditation.    Please call him at 899-4845 for directions and to let him know that you are coming so he can prepare a place for you.

September Retreat Day

          Saturday, Sept. 28, 2013   8:30 am – 1:00 pm                    

  In the Fellowship Hall

The Neuroscience of Happiness, Love, and Wisdom 

Joe Neary and Joseph Cotham will lead us in an exploration of recent advances in neuroscience that provide a better understanding of consciousness and meditative practices.  We will discuss, meditate, and engage in activities intended to broaden our spiritual horizons. You’ll participate in exercises drawn from “Buddha’s Brain: The Practical Neuroscience of Happiness, Love, and Wisdom” by the neuropsychologist, Rich Hansen and neurologist, Richard Mendius.

We will discuss recent discoveries in neuroscience that provide a more detailed explanation of the effect of mindfulness and meditation on the brain.  Additionally, we will share insights from The Emotional Life of Your Brain.

A freewill offering will be available. 

Upcoming Events   

Ongoing                                  Hei’s Tai Chi class at Oldemeyer

Center (Tu/Thur at 10:30 am)

No classes in September

October 12                              Garage Sale at Hei’s house

8am – 12 noon

Oct. 18/19                               MMG Weekend Retreat with

Ruben Habito

Friday 7 – 9 pm, Saturday 9 – 4 pm

Nov. 23                                    MMG Retreat 8:30 – 1:00 pm

Faithful Generations:  Effective

Ministry Across Generational Lines

In closing, 

My Lord God,

I have no idea where I am going.  I do not see the road ahead of me.  I cannot know for certain where it will end.  Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think that I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so.  But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you.  And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing.  I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire.  And I know that if I do this you will lead me by the right road, though I may know nothing about it.  Therefore I will trust you always though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death.  I will not fear, for you are ever with me, and you will never leave me to face my perils alone. 

Thomas Merton

Thoughts in Solitude