Breathe in, breathe out

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 07/05/2016 (3764 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Consider taking 20 minutes to sit up straight, breathe and calm your mind.

Can’t quite manage that the first time out? You’re not alone, says a Winnipeg minister who leads a weekly meditation group.

“It’s a loving, forgiving practice. You get lots of practice starting again,” says Rev. Phil Barnett, a retired Anglican priest who heads up an hour-long Tuesday afternoon group at St. Paul’s Anglican Church.

The group meditation session in the small side chapel at the Fort Garry church includes a brief introduction to meditation for any newcomers, a recorded inspirational talk, a group prayer and a short discussion period. The 20 minutes of meditation are bracketed by a gong and some music.

“The idea for us during meditation is to be quiet inside, an inner silence,” Barnett explains at the beginning of the hour.

“And the inner silence allows us to be closer to God.”

The St. Paul’s group — one of several meeting regularly in Winnipeg — is affiliated with national and international Christian meditation communities, dubbed the “monastery without walls.”

Like meditation in other traditions, practitioners are encouraged to sit up straight, close their eyes and repeat a mantra for 20 minutes. The mantra suggested in the Christian meditation community is “Maranatha,” an Aramaic word meaning “Come, Lord.”

“You say your word and focus on it and let everything in your life fade away,” explains Jack Murta, the Ottawa-based national co-ordinator of Canadian Christian Meditation Community.

The former Progressive Conservative MP for the Manitoba riding of Lisgar discovered meditation a decade ago when he decided to dig deeper into his Christian faith.

Now a Roman Catholic, Murta leads two meditation groups in Ottawa, as well as co-ordinating weekly prayer groups for MPs on Parliament Hill and the annual National Prayer Breakfast, scheduled for May 19.

Since meditation is common to many faith traditions, the practice of sitting quietly together can promote understanding between faith traditions, says Murta.

“Meditation is a way of being present to God. If you and I are of completely different faiths, we can sit shoulder to shoulder meditating, and we’ve eliminated the politics of religion,” he says.

It might also eliminate the politics of politics, adds the 18-year veteran of Parliament Hill, who regrets he didn’t discover meditation while still in office.

“I can’t think of any area of activity meditation would help more than political life, considering the pressures (politicians) are subjected to.”

Murta and the 10 other members of the national council of CCMC will gather for planning sessions in Winnipeg next weekend and also to meet local meditators in a group session and shared meal.

“The benefit of group meditation is there is a dynamic, a sense of closeness where you come together,” explains Murta, who leads a weekly group at an Ottawa homeless shelter.

“We support each other even though we are not talking, just sitting together.”

For Winnipegger Susan Piper, attending a weekly meeting helps her stay focused and gets her away from outside distractions.

“I also think it helps you realize how many thoughts are bombarding your mind,” explains Piper, who finds it easier to meditate in a group setting.

“I found I can let things go more than I’m used to.”

And for those who find taking 20 minutes of silence nearly impossible, Murta has some advice: just do it.

“The most important thing is to do it, just to sit down and try not to be perfect,” says Murta.

brenda@suderman.com

The Free Press is committed to covering faith in Manitoba through our Religion in the News project. This reporting continues because readers like you step forward to fund it.

Donate now to support our reporting on religion.
Your donation is eligible for a charitable tax receipt. BECOME A FAITH JOURNALISM SUPPORTER