Christian meditation sessions have been run in Katikati for about 10 years. Lorna Gee first introduced it to Katikati. She recruited Christian meditation initially to help her husband, who had stressful job, relax.
The New Zealand Community for Christian Meditation has been going for about 80 years and is part of an international movement.
A typical session may include a few minutes silence, followed by listening to a talk (often by original founder the late John Main), some discussion and then meditation.
A gong strikes three times and a mantra starts. They repeat “prayer word’' ma-ra-na-tha which is Aramaic for Come Lord Come.
The meditation continues for 25 minutes.
When Lorna first taught Ray the practice he wasn’t sure he could meditate that long twice a day.
“It takes discipline but we find the time goes incredibly quickly. For us it’s a way of life and it brings inner peace, kindness, happiness, love, compassion for others ... it brings more of these things into our life,’’ Ray says.
Ray says the prayer word is like a tool to help keep thoughts at bay.
“There’s no sermon, we are simply sitting quietly in the presence of God. However it is good for you. It feeds the soul, you do get the usual benefits of meditation.’’
The Details
What: Christian Meditation Katikati
Where: St Peter’s Anglican Church on Beach Rd
When: Wednesdays at 3.45am.
Inquiries: Phone Raymond 549 5329.
