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- JOHN MAIN SEMINAR - 2007
In Oct over 200 meditators gathered in a beautiful part of Canada to celebrate John Main’s life
and teaching in this 25th Anniversary year. It was a joyous and memorable Seminar with
meditators from 17 countries-Brazil Singapore India Mexico, Portugal, New Zealand, US, Italy,
UK Philippines Germany, Curacao, Barbados, Venezuela and Australia and a large number of
Canadians. I arrived in Orford Quebec at dusk and when I awoke the following morning I looked
out at the breathtaking beauty of the surrounding countryside with the wonderful colors of a
Canadian Fall-autumn leaves “dripping gold.” It was a time to just sit and watch the leaves
rustle and dance in the crisp air. The richness of the countryside was matched by the richness
of the Seminar programme.
- The introduction to each major presentation was an inspiring series of reflections with music,
poetry and incredibly moving and beautiful photos compiled by Dr Bal Mount beginning with A
Celebration of our Global Community. Charles Taylor one of the world’s leading philosophers
opened the Seminar with “Christian Meditation and the Mutations of Contemporary Religious
Life”. Sarah Bachelard a young Australian priest and theologian presented “John Main’s
Contribution to Contemplative Theology today”. With Yvon Théroux ’s inspiring talk on “John
Main OSB: Prophete des temps nouveax” the non French speakers were introduced to the
intricacies of simultaneous translation . Dr Bal Mount a former JM Seminar presenter and
close friend of John Main gave a deeply moving presentation on “Journey to Personal and
Social Transformation” Peter Ng the Singapore Nat Coordinator and an international business
executive gave an inspiring personal presentation on “The Contemplative Executive – Leading
from the Heart”. Fr Laurence concluded the Seminar with “Living here and now: Spirituality in
a Global Village” in which the themes of the talks were summarized and interwoven with John
Main’s teaching. The talks were recorded and will be published at a later date.
The workshops focused on different aspects of the Community - Groups, Introducing
Meditation to Children and to Schools, the Roots Course, Addictions and a panel shared their
memories of Fr John. But the heart of the seminar was our meditation. 200 people came from
many part of the world as strangers but through our sharing and in the silence of our
meditation we became the community of love Fr John so often spoke about.
Polly Schofield mounted an archival display of Fr John’s letters and memorabilia and there
was a constant stream of people reading about the early days of the community and delighting
in the photos. Our thanks to Mark and Polly Schofield and their team for coordinating this
wonderful Seminar as a tribute to John Main.
Our final event will be an Anniversary Mass with Fr Laurence as celebrant on Dec 29th at 2.30
pm in Westminster Cathedral London. This will be followed by a reception afterwards in the
Cathedral Hall where Fr Laurence and others will share some of their memories of John Main.
If you, or any of your group are visiting London at that time we invite you to join the UK
Community and meditators from around the world at this joyful celebration. The Cathedral is in
Victoria Street SW1, 3 mins walk from Victoria station. If you are able to attend contact
uk@wccm.org
News: The Dec newsletter will be a special John Main Anniversary edition and will be out soon.
Date Claimer: The 2008 John Main Seminar will be held Aug 15-17 in the historic city of Mainz
Germany. The Seminar will be led by Cardinal Walter Kasper with the theme Unity: Local and
Global.
Advent is a time to reflect on our lives- to wait, to listen,to slow down despite the busyness
around us. As John Main says –It often seems as if we rush through life at such high speed
while in our heart there is the essential flame of being. Our rushing often brings it to the point
of extinction. But when we sit down to meditate, in stillness and simplicity, the flame begins to
burn brightly and steadily.
Advent blessings -- Pauline
| FROM THE HEART |