PIGEONS REACT TO THE CAT (Letters to 'NZ Catholic' re my critique of Christian Meditation)

ALTHOUGH THERE WERE NO COMMENTS on my November NZ Catholic column on Christian Meditation on this blog, with NZC readers it would seem something of a cat set among pigeons. To receive seven letters on the same topic (all taking exception) is to say the least, unusual for NZC and I’m told there was a eighth – unpublished - describing me as ‘superior and mocking’.

If the cap fits, I have to wear it, and my thanks go to all these correspondents. Here are their contributions:

MEDITATION

As a member of a Christian Meditation group, I respond to Julia du Fresne's article title 'Avoid the meaningless' (NZ Catholic, Nov 17-30).

First, we do not regard the mantra we are encouraged to say as 'meaningless'. It is from Corinthians 1, 16-22. St Paul used Jesus' language, Aramaic, meaning 'Come O Lord', or 'Come Lord Jesus'.

Second, Julia's concern that CM is Carmelite spirituality without the hard bits: that is, you get to experience the incredible sweetness of the Love of God without the 'hard yards' of earning it; that you need to acquire attributes and virtues before the rewards of being loved by God. I am not a theologian or an expert on Church history. Perhaps others more knowledgeable will respond to Julia on these issues. However I know the love of God can never be earned but is pure gift.

The group I belong to is made up of, what some would say, traditional Catholics. Most of us attend Mass daily. We meditate together once a week after Mass, and have done so for a few years. We do not 'measure' our progress any more than Julia would dig up new plants to see how the roots are getting on. We trust the Lord is working in and through us.

We all felt the need for a deeper prayer life and feel blessed that such a need is being met in our parish through CM.

Yolande MacLeod,

Papakura

I was distressed to read Julia du Fresne’s somewhat acerbic dismissal of the practice of Christian Meditation (NZ Catholic, Nov 17). 

Certainly, the Carmelite tradition is ancient and praiseworthy, but it does not appeal to everyone, myself included. Personally, I prefer the more simple approach of the Benedictine tradition, into which the current practice, which is promoted by Benedictine priest Laurence Freeman, fits. 

The point is that anything that helps a person open his/her heart and life to God is laudable and to be encouraged. In terms of our relationship with God, every person is an individual. 

                                                                                Kilian V de Lacy, 

Waitangirua, Wellington.

 

How sad that Julia du Fresne, one of your regular contributors, joined meditation ‘to support people wanting deeper prayer’. 

Had she gone along to let God within her, have the time to change her and bring her to her total potential, she might still be meditating and encouraging others to give it a go. 

Jacqui Driscoll, 

Orewa
 

AND  IN THE DECEMBER ISSUE:
 

I read Julia du Fresne’s critical description of Christian meditation with disappointment, mostly because she seems to have missed the point of the discipline altogether.
 

Meditation is not about the repetition of a word. Rather, the repetition of a word is a tool to help the human mind avoid distraction so that attentiveness to God’s presence within can be achieved. 

Months before I’d even heard of CM, I had discerned that wordy prayers were somewhat pointlless, given that God already knew my every thought, word and deed. Thankfully, my desire for a way to attend in prayer was answered by the introduction of CM into my parish. I have no expectations at all – it’s not about me. That is the point. It’s not about getting God’s attention but giving God my attention.

If the rather fanciful concept of Hindu monks developing meditation alongside the Desert Fathers and Mothers is just too bizarre, I suggest Julia goes back in the Christian tradition to a man named Jesus, who is frequently reported to have withdrawn to ramain alert and in prayer.

It would be a terrible shame if Julia’s opinion turned even one person away from a form of prayer that focuses solely upon our Creator God, heals wounded souls and brings Jesus’ own brand of love into homes and communities. 

Damian Robertson,
Manurewa, Auckland

How sad that Julia du Fresne, one of your regular contributors, joined meditation ‘to support people wanting deeper prayer’. 

Had she gone along to let God within her, have the time to change her and bring her to her total potential, she might still be meditating and encouraging others to give it a go. 

Jacqui Driscoll, 

Orewa.

Julia du Fresne might like to choose a word which is sacred to her, and when sitting quietly just allow that word to gently draw her thoughts back from their roaming into her past, or leaping forward in plans and ideas for her future. 

Nothing more than that simple and gentle returning to her chosen prayer word is needed to assist her in ‘leaving self behind’. If she has some beautiful experience during meditation, by all means enjoy it, but don’t try to grasp and possess it.  

In giving herself to God in this way morning and evening for 30 minutes she will find it is not during meditation that she receives the fruits of this discipline but, in time, this way of prayer will enrich her whole life. (A deepening understanding and joy in other ways of prayer; for example, praying the Scriptures, is just one of the many fruits you will discover.) 

And should Julia choose to attend a meditation group, she will find that it is the shared silent prayer that strengthens fidelity to this daily prayer practice. 

This is an ancient Christian way of prayer. It is Christ centred. 

May the love and peace of Christ be with Julia always. 

Raewyn Blair, 

Athenree, Katikati.

Damian Robertson's letter about John Main's mantra method of meditation (NZ Catholic, Dec 2013) cites the Gospel where Jesus 'withdrew to remain alert and to pray'. But that passage (Luke 5:16) makes no reference to Jesus using a mantra, which rather spoils her point.

Let people use whatever prayer method helps their spiritual life, but the repetition of a mantra is not, in itself, prayer.

Further, Teresa of Avila teaches that distraction is not the main enemy of prayer, and if it is unwanted, distraction does not impair prayer in any way. The claimed function of the mantra is to eliminate distractions so that prayer can begin.

Main's theory (from his book 'The Moment of Christ') is that repetition of the mantra frees the person to function in the 'realm of infinity', but Christians do not need to 'strive to enter the realm of infinity' because through the indwelling of the Holy Trinity, we are already in the immediate presence of God.

'Any one who loves me will keep my word, and my Father will love him and we shall come to him and make our home with him' (John 14;23).

Patrick Cronin

Nelson