Group Meditation

Regular meetings for silent prayer

Pater Thomas Keating describes from his experience with the prayer of the collection that weekly meetings in small groups of up to 15 people for common practice and the exchange of experiences are well suited to support and deepen one's own practice. They help you to stay on the ball and possibly also to return to exercise if adverse circumstances have prevented you, be it due to illness, family or work. The group serves as a source of encouragement and problem solving.

Pater Thomas Keating suggests the following schedule for the weekly meetings:

"Frame: place chairs in a circle (or seat cushions).

The sequence:

1. Slow, meditative walk, silently behind each other in a circle, for about 10 minutes. Those who come later just join.

2. Short service or chant of 4-5 minutes.

3. Centering prayer. Choose one of the following options

• Sitting for 20 minutes
• Twice 20 minutes of sitting with a meditative walk in between
• Slow prayer for the Our Father through the leader or 2 minutes of silence, then return to ordinary thinking.

4. Lectio Divina followed by an exchange of experiences of 30-45 minutes. "

This process can of course be varied depending on the orientation of the group. The following procedure has proven itself in other groups:

1. Greeting
2. Relaxation exercises, body work or yoga approx. 5-10 minutes
3. 20-30 minutes Jesus prayer or other form of meditation.
4. Ritual of approx. 15 minutes, e.g. prayer or a short service
5. Being together over a cup of tea and informal exchange of experiences