Meditation Opportunities
Thursday evenings at 1st Presbyterian
We will meet for meditation on all Thursdays in June and July 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. 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.
June Retreat Day
Saturday, June 28, 2014
8:30 am -3:00 pm
In the Fellowship Hall
A Day of Zen Sitting
Our June retreat day will have a focus on Zen meditation. We will have an hour and a half silent meditation in the morning, a two-hour talk and discussion time, a lunch break, and conclude with another hour and a half period of silent meditation. Come join us as we learn from Zen practice how to deepen our silence and bring more love and peace into the world. Please bring a sack lunch. Coffee, tea and refreshments will be provided. A freewill offering will be available. All are welcome.
Upcoming Events
Ongoing Hei’s Tai Chi class at Oldemeyer
Center (Tu/Thur at 10:30 am)
July 26 MMG Retreat Day 8:30 – 1:00 pm
Fr. Keating video: “The Gift of Life”
No MMG retreat day in August
Summary of Last Month’s Retreat
For our May reteat day we were introduced to two experiential body-based spiritual exercises. Tina guided us through a practice of foot massage in which we were each able to experience being the giver and receiver. From her experience as a physical therapist, Tina taught us a brief anatomy of the foot, demonstrated the technique, and then with a wonderful set of guidelines set us off to practice our massage on each other. We were encouraged to do this practice with the intention of connecting with our partner to help them relax and experience pleasure. I must admit I was a little hesitant on how this would be for me. However, I was pleasantly surprised how the actual experience as giver was so enjoyable. It was a good reminder to me that my thoughts about an experience are not the experience. I had to wait until I actually was engaged in the body-based practice to know what it would be like for me. And likewise, the experience of receiving a foot massage was equally pleasant and relaxing. I appreciate Tina sharing her expertise with us and helping us to incorporate our bodies in our spiritual growth.
With a continued focus on the foot, John Larson shared his practice of reflexology with us. Reflexology is a science that deals with the principle that there are reflex areas in the feet and hands which correspond to all of the glands, organs and parts of the body. Reflexology is a unique method of using the thumb and fingers on these reflex areas. We all had a chance to have John work on our feet. I was much impressed by the amount of relaxation this practice brought to my entire body. It was a treat to have John share his love of reflexology with us.
In closing,
A Prayer for Washing Feet
Jesus
Is it really you
kneeling before me
with that bowl of water
In your hands?
I’d feel more comfortable
If we could trade places
I wouldn’t mind kneeling before you,
but you before me?
I can’t let you love me that much.
Your piercing eyes
suddenly
heal my pride.
I’m able to accept
your gift of love
and I’m blessed.
O Gift Giving God
I blush
with the memory
of gifts I’ve refused
because they weren’t given
my way.
Macrina Wiederkehr
Monterey Meditation Group 