In-Person Gatherings on Saturday 26 November 2022
Next Saturday, 26 November, we have two in-person gatherings – one in Dublin and the other in Cork. All interested in meditation are invited to both.
In particular, we encourage all who have participated in our weekly groups to come along to meet like-minded individuals and fellow meditators.
We will also reflect on how we can work together to create a more contemplative society.
The Cork Meet-Up will take place in the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart Hall on Western Road, Cork from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. followed by Mass for those who wish to avail of it.
Fr Donagh O’Shea will facilitate the day which will comprise short talks and times for meditation.
Participants bring their own lunch and the organisers will provide tea, coffee and biscuits. A donation of €10 is suggested.
The Dublin Meet-Up takes place in Balally Parish Centre. It will begin at 11 a.m. (Tea and coffee available from 10:45) and will conclude at 12:30.
Mgr Dermot Lane will speak to the theme ‘Theology, Spirituality, Contemplation‘ for 20 minutes, followed by an opportunity to engage with the topic and time for meditation.
There is no charge for this event.
Click here for directions by car or Luas.
We continue to encourage groups to return to in-person weekly meetings. We acknowledge that things may have changed for group leaders over that time and that it will not be possible for all groups to resume. But we urge group leaders (or other members where the former group leader is no longer available) to make contact with group members to explore what may be possible.
We know that some of the information on our website is not up to date and we will be very appreciative if you can let us know where a group has ceased or remains an online only group. Between now and Christmas Stella Gannon, Maria Gavin or Mannix Lynch may be in touch by phone or email to make enquiries.
Online Meditation at 7:30 p.m. on every Thursday & Sunday evening, Irish time.
BIG LESSON
by Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer
Today it feels so simple:
we are here to take care of each other.
How could we ever forget?
As if soil could forget
it is here to feed the trees.
As if trees could forget
they are here to feed the soil.
How could anything
ever get in the way of generosity?
How could we ever greet each other
with any words besides,
‘How can I help you?’
As if light could forget
it is here to help illuminate.
As if dark could forget
it is here to help us heal.
Noel Keating reflects on this contemplative verse
This simple, insightful poem reminds me of that phrase beloved of Dam Rass, the American Buddhist teacher who wrote: ‘All we are doing all the time is walking each other home.’ At the heart of Jesus’ teaching is that we are called to love God and love our neighbour who is ourself. As the poem says. ‘We are here to take care of each other. How could we ever forget?’ But we know from the state of the world that we do forget and we know from our own experience that our judgement is so often clouded by our egoic desires for power, prestige and possessions. Our generosity is limited by our fear that there isn’t enough to go around and that fear is a result of our insatiable desire to have more and more.
May our twice-daily meditation heighten our awareness and deepen our understanding of who we are at the deepest level of our being and may that help us to always greet each other, as our poem suggests, with no words besides ‘How can I help you?’ In every situation in which we find ourselves over the coming week, before we act, may we be prompted by our heightened awareness of the ever-present Spirit within to silently ask ‘What is the most loving response I can make in this situation, right now?’
Remember - Desert Days continue in Balally Parish Centre every Tuesday beginning at 10 a.m.
All who are interested in meditation are invited to participate. There is no need to book, just come along as suits you. The day begins at 10 a.m.; meditation starts at 10:30 a.m. Light lunch at 12:30 p.m. If you are unable to attend in person, the morning prayer and meditation will be available on the parish webcam here. The Contemplative Mass begins at 7:30 p.m. and Caroline Stratton will give an introductory talk on meditation at the end of the mass .
The John Main Seminar 2022 continues this weekend. If you wish to attend online, you can register by clicking here.
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