‘Be still’, said the Psalmist, ‘and know that I am God.’ Stillness and silence are qualities we often claim we value. But, both in congregational worship and in our private prayer, we often find ourselves uneasy with them. Yet in the confusion of our world, we listen in vain for that still, small voice which is God, the God within.

A Benedictine monk, Laurence Freeman is the Director of the World Community of Christian Meditation, (wccm.org), which is a global movement to revive and develop a tradition of silent prayer which can be traced back to at least the fourth century. The work, today, is driven by ordinary people who are hungry for a spiritual way that can promote radical healing and change. It offers a genuine alternative, both for Christians who want to breathe fresh life into the old narratives and structures of the Church, and for post-Christians who are unfulfilled by the values of a consumerist secular society and who seek a more meaningful relationship with truth.

At this time, Laurence Freeman is on a teaching tour of Northern England and he will visit St Andrew’s Church Hall, Fabian Road, Teesville, TS6 9BA (opposite Eston Town Hall) on Sunday 14th September at 2.00 pm when he will be speaking on the theme ‘The Hunger for Depth and Meaning – Being Free of our Addictions’. He will also introduce the way of meditation and there will be a period of practice, followed by questions and discussion. All are welcome and no need to book; there is no charge but donations to cover costs will be welcomed.

For more information, contact Sarah Kirkup, The Cherry Tree, Brough Sowerby, CA17 4EG, tel (01768) 341258, e-mail info@cmcumbria.co.uk or Terry Doyle on 07971 105082.

Fr Laurence Freeman OSB

Director of the World Community for Christian Meditation

Amid the hubbub of contending voices, both within and without the Church, it is hard to find the stillness and simplicity of the God which Elijah experienced. Silent prayer, meditation, has not only been a feature of the great eastern religions but it is also a tradition to be found in the Christian Church at least as early as the fourth century. It is a way of prayer which was recovered in the late twentieth century by Fr John Main, and his work has been continued by Fr Laurence, so that now individuals and groups are practising silent prayer throughout the world.

Fr Laurence teaches that meditation, being with God, is a basis for a deeper understanding of ourselves and our fellow men and women, and leads to a better understanding of our relationships with one another.

Meditation also provides common ground upon which all faiths can build closer relationships. Thus, Fr Laurence has several times broken new ground in public dialogues with the Dalai Lama, and more recently in York, at a pioneering conference entitled ‘Prayer as Meeting’ at which Muslims and Christians shared prayer and ideas about the contemplative path.

At this time, Laurence Freeman is on a teaching tour of Northern England, and he will visit St Andrew’s Church Hall, Fabian Road, Teesville, TS6 9BA (opposite Eston Town Hall) on 14th September at 2.00 pm when he will be speaking on the theme ‘The Hunger for Depth and Meaning – Being Free of our Addictions’. He will also introduce the way of meditation and there will be a period of practice, followed by questions and discussion. All are welcome and no need to book; there is no charge but donations to cover costs will be welcomed.