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INDONESIA
FROM THE HEART
    Dear Friends,

    I like to share some of my experiences with you, during my joining in the
    Christian Meditation group in the city of Surabaya, East Java, Indonesia.

     I began to join this group of Christian Meditation since March 2007, so just
    6 months ago. Until   now  I am still thankful to the Lord who make it
    possible for me to be guided in silent prayer and contemplative prayer by
    Carmelite Priests.

    Why am I attracted to Christian Meditation? Yes, I like silent prayer. So,
    with the existence of this Christian Meditation group in Surabaya, I feel
    very blessed.

    Then, what am I looking for by joining this group of Christian Meditation?  
    Not inner-power, not healing, not holiness, or such kind. What I am looking
    for is only one, and that is God Himself.

    In the beginning, I had stumbled over the word ‘MANTRA’. The word
    ‘MANTRA’ in my country, according to me, has a negative connotation that
    has something to do with fortune-tellers, sorcery, witchcraft. And I don’t
    like this. But after a while, I learned that it is allowed to change it with other
    words, such as ‘Holy Word’, or ‘Prayer Word’. Now I don’t bother about it
    anymore. What is in a name? You are free to call it Mantra, or Holy Word or
    Prayer Word, all that, is not important. That’s only a name. Why should I
    stumble over a name!

    Then I began to practice, twice a day for 30 minutes, in the morning and in
    the evening. Sit down very quietly, with your spine as upright as possible,
    get yourself quite comfortable to be able to sit as still as you can for 30
    minutes, close your eyes and say the word very gently: Ma-ra-na-tha.
    Listen to it, don’t think about anything, you may not even think about holy
    things. I thought this is silly and stupid.

    But my dear friends, then, slowly, I understand, that all this has a meaning.
    It’s true, I have to be silly and stupid, to be able to be humble. And by being
    faithful, and by only depending on God who is great, gradually I realise that
    it was my pride, I always want to understand, I always want to know,
    because I consider myself not silly and not stupid. Here, I learn that with
    this practice, I am training myself to become humble.

    By practicing morning and evening, I want it or not, I feel a desire, a longing
    to meet God. A desire to sit peacefully with the Lord and to say the mantra.
    That desire comes up eventhough I am still not practicing it regularly  
    twice a day.

    Every Thursday evening my community is practicing together in the
    convent of the Sisters of The Holy Spirit. This is for me a Luminous Point.
    Here I am getting energy. We support each other, we share our
    experiences. Moreover, before every  practice we always get a teaching,
    which enrich me spiritually. Teachings about simplicity, humility, purity of
    the heart, etc.

    One day I was on vacation for 3 weeks. I had a full schedule, there was no
    time to meditate, the situation was also not supporting, at night I was
    already very tired, I felt asleep at once. I surely missed the meditation, I
    longed for it.

    From this experience I make the conclusion that our weekly gathering to
    meditate together is very important for me. Without it, I can not survive, I
    will be drifting away and maybe finally I will leave my community. I imagine
    myself as a piece of charcoal, when being in the fireplace where other
    charcoals are flaming, I will be warmed, even become flaming myself.
    When I am alone, out of the fireplace, gradually I will die.

    I also find out that Silence finally is God Himself.  When I meditate alone at
    home, I am with my Lord. I feel like I am surrounded by my Lord because
    silence is surrounding me.

    What about the fruits of the Spirit?
    I am sure that the fruits of the Spirit gradually will be affected to me.
    There is a saying: ‘They that touch pitch will be defiled’.

    So, if I meditate twice a day, to be with the Lord, I am sure that gradually I
    will become like Him.
    This is my prayer.

    Meditator : Th.Maudy Sidharta.