Meditation Opportunities

Thursday evenings at First Presbyterian  

We will meet for meditation on all Thursdays in October and November (except Thanksgiving Day) 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 doing a contemplative listening book reading.  We are currently reading short sections from a book by Pema Chodron, The Pocket Pema Chodron.                                                              

October Retreat Day 

Saturday, October 17, 2015

9:00 am -1:00 pm

In the Fellowship Hall

A Rising Tide of Silence

“A Rising Tide of Silence” is a reflective portrait of Father Thomas Keating, the spiritual teacher who introduced the method of Centering Prayer to the Christian community. There are many participants of Monterey Meditation Group who practice Centering Prayer. Some have even been on retreat at Snowmass, Colorado and have met Thomas Keating. This month we will be watching a new video documentary, “A Rising Tide of Silence”, produced by Father Keating’s nephew. The video incudes historical footage, biographical documentation, interviews and conversations with Father Keating himself. Please join us for a time of meditation and the chance to view the first half of the new documentary on Thomas Keating’s life.   Coffee, tea and refreshments will be provided.  A freewill offering will be available.

Upcoming Events

Ongoing                                Hei’s Tai Chi class at Oldemeyer

Center (Tu/Thur at 10:30 am)

In closing,

Prayer Before an Empty Tree

Jesus

You move through each season

with your magic wand

One by one

you have taken my leaves from me

I am the story of your emptiness

You have told me well.

The part of me that feels stripped

cries out to you,

“How can I give shade

with so much gone?”

Again I feel your magic wand

You speak to me of an inner shade

whose name is peace

the gift that comes from letting go.

Your story continues to be told in me.

Your story continues to unfold in me.

And suddenly,

when I look again

I realize that

what you have taken from me

has only made me free

to see.

I am your story of glory!

Macrina Wiederkehr