Christian Meditation: Experiencing the Presence of GodEnter a Monastery Without Walls Christian Meditation introduces an ancient practice to a contemporary audience. James Finley, a former monk and student of Thomas Merton, presents the fundamentals of both understanding and practicing Christian meditation. He provides simple, helpful instructions, as well as explaining the deeper connection with the divine that meditation can bring. Above all, he makes clear that the aim of meditation is to allow us to experience divine contemplation -- the presence of God. |
Contents
| 1 | |
Learning to Meditate | 22 |
Meditative Experience | 42 |
A Ladder to Heaven | 72 |
A Monastery Without Walls | 101 |
The SelfTransforming Journey | 130 |
Entering the Mind of Christ | 175 |
Present Open and Awake | 203 |
Sit Still | 216 |
Sit Straight | 229 |
Slow Deep Natural Breathing | 242 |
Eyes Closed or Lowered Toward the Ground | 253 |
Walking Meditation | 266 |
Compassion | 278 |
Notes | 287 |
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Common terms and phrases
allow arises aspects attentiveness awake awakened become begin bodily breathing called Christ Christian clinging close comes completely consciousness contemplative continue Cross daily deep deepens depths desire discover divine embodies enter eternal experience experiencing eyes faith Father feelings flow fullness gazing give God’s God’s presence graced ground hands happens heart human Imagine infinite interior intimate Jesus John journey leave less lies listen living look manifesting manner matter means meditative awareness memories midst mind moments monastery move mystery mystics nature ness never occur once ourselves pass path person practice prayer present reading reality realize reflect rejecting remain rest river Saint seek sense share silence simply sit in meditation slowly Sometimes spiritual spontaneous stand stillness sustained tend things thoughts tion tradition transcends transformed true trying understand walking whole writes