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CHINA
FROM THE HEART
    My journey to Christian Meditation took many years and many detours. In the early 80’s when I
    first debuted as a Chinese cookbook writer and chef, I was very successful and popular. Yet
    somehow within my soul, I felt so empty. It was also at this time that my psychologist told me that I
    had a “big black hole” in my soul. Yes, while I was a faithful Catholic, I felt that my prayer life
    lacked passion and fire. I longed for intimacy with my God. So for the next ten years, I studied and
    tried many things: Progoff’s INTENSIVE JOURNAL, A COURSE IN MIRACLES, Jampolsky’s
    ATTITUDINAL HEALING and more. I also read voraciously--Catholic, Christian, Buddhist and Hindu
    spiritual books. All helped in some way to prepare me for my future calling.

    In 1999, I joined seven other Catholics on a Journey of Faith to China, where we visited many
    seminaries and convents. It was then that I realized how hungry they were for God. I did not know
    then how I could help, but I knew within my heart that I wanted to and must.

    Then in 1994, I paid to take a course in TRANSCENDENTAL MEDITATION. With the prompting of the
    Holy Spirit, I dropped the mantra sound I was given and chose ABBA for my mantra. Yes, I realized
    that this was the peace I yearned within my soul. For in the silence I felt so affirmed and loved.
    Serendipidously, a good friend of mine sent me a copy of Fr. John’s GETHSEMANI TALKS. Wonder
    of wonders! I now felt that this was very Christian, but why was this great gift hidden from me and
    many others? All the priests and sisters I knew and spoke to never mentioned this form of silent
    prayer. Immediately I was determined and eager to share this gift with all my friends and
    acquaintances. I quickly organized a meditation group in my parish and recruited the help of our
    deacon and a Jesuit priest.

    But it was not until September 2000 when I met Fr. Laurence that my prayer life took a new turn.
    Fr. Laurence had come to Manresa Jesuit Retreat House, right after the 9/11 tragedies, to preach
    a 4-day retreat. When we met and talked at length, I knew that I had found my teacher. The rest is
    history. Since then, I have become one of the coordinators of the Midwest, USA, a Benedictine
    Oblate, the Coordinator of China. And I, together with Maria Pereira (Lisbon)and Ana Fonseca
    (Brazil), accompanied Fr. Laurence to visit China, Hong Kong and Taiwan in 2004.

    There Fr. Laurence introduced and spoke to hundreds of seminarians and sisters. I followed up
    with return visits to water the seeds planted by Fr. Laurence. Now, finally, the seedlings are taking
    root. In China, the first lay meditation group was formed in Beijing. In Hong Kong, there are now
    five groups and more are starting, thanks to the enthusiasm and hard work of a core of very
    dedicated meditators--Lina Lee, Anthony Ng, Joseph Chor, Kevin Lai, Agatha Hau, Mavis Lee, Sr.
    Necitas Derama, Stella and Albert Li Gigi and Anthony Tse, Fr. Ed Szendrey, MM, and of course, Fr.
    Sean Burke, MM, long-time coordinator of Hong Kong. In Taiwan, the first group was formed with
    the mothers of high school girls.

    As I write this, my heart is full of gratitude and peace. Not only has the hole in my soul been healed,
    but I have finally come home. I have found my mission, the purpose I was created for. I also find
    that the gifts, expertise and experience I have been given are all coming together to help me fulfill
    my mission. I now yearn to feed spiritual manna to the hungry and thirsty in Asia and the U.S. –
    wherever I am sent and called to serve.

    On the home front, my husband Albert became a meditator two years ago. And recently, my 93-
    year-old mother also started to meditate occasionally. While there are still ups and downs in my
    daily life, I no longer fear or worry, knowing that the Holy Spirit is with me, constantly helping me to
    cope, to accept and face reality. In the silence, I can come to terms with what is, knowing that all
    that matters is that Christ is within me, to help, guide and lead me from moment to moment, day to
    day.

    Maranatha

    Liz King
    January 2006