Contemplating the benefits of meditation

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This article was published 03/11/2022 (1088 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

There’s a lot to make people worry these days: rising inflation, a looming recession, climate change, homelessness and crime, and the war in Ukraine.

So, it might seem like a tall order to find inner peace.

“There’s so much that triggers us these days,” said Loraine MacKenzie Shepherd, minister at Westworth United Church.

To help her deal with the challenging news in the world today, MacKenzie Shepherd practises “centering prayer,” a way to let go of worrisome thoughts.

“I do it each morning and evening,” she said.

She takes 20 minutes to sit in silence while focusing on the Hebrew word “shalom,” or wholeness. “It helps stabilize me, helps me sleep better, puts me in touch with the divine spark,” she said.

Most Christians don’t know about such contemplative practises, thinking they must be from eastern religious traditions, she said.

“There is a strong history of contemplation in Christianity,” she said, referencing historical figures such as St. John of the Cross, Julian of Norwich, and Hildegard of Bingen. “A lot of wisdom has come out of that tradition.”

To help more Christians learn about the importance of contemplation, her church is teaming up with the Manitoba Buddhist Temple to offer a free four-week series titled Inner Peace, Earth Peace: Buddhist-Christian Spiritual Practices.

The series, which starts Monday, runs from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Westworth United Church.

Led by MacKenzie Shepherd and senseis Tanis Moore and Fredrich Ulrich of the Buddhist Temple, the series will explore the teachings of Buddhism and of Christian mystics and help participants find ways to incorporate contemplation into their lives.

The last session will include a joint interfaith blessing of a tree outside the church, similar to what the Buddhist Temple did with a tree outside its building in September.

“The ribbon we will be tying around the tree will remind us of our joint commitment to care for the environment,” MacKenzie Shepherd said.

For Moore, the series is an opportunity for Christians and Buddhists to get to know each other better and learn about their traditions.

“We can explore similarities between both groups and between Jesus and the Buddha,” she said, noting that both promoted compassion and service for others.

Members of both groups also “want to see peace in the world,” she said.

It will also be a chance to dispel the notion, held by some, that Christianity is about action but Buddhism, with its emphasis on contemplation, is about turning away from the world.

“Buddhists are also involved in social action,” said Moore, citing how Buddhists around the world protest against war and promote peace, protect the environment and are involved in services such as hospice.

MacKenzie Shepherd agreed.

“There’s a stereotype of Christians as doers and Buddhists as be-ers,” she said. “It’s not true. There is social action in Buddhism people don’t know about, and contemplation in the Christian tradition that is unknown.”

Added Moore: “If we want peace in the world, we first need to find inner peace. Contemplation is a way to do that. If you are at peace, you can share peace with the world. It’s harder to do if you are in inner turmoil.”

To register for the series, contact westworthminister@gmail.com or call 204-489-6974. Masks are strongly recommended.

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