Confronted with the question ‘what is prayer’, most adults initially hesitate, shrug, or say something like – well it’s talking to God, asking for a favour, sharing a serious concern. Children inevitably say it’s talking to God.
But what if the question is, ‘what is contemplative prayer’? Most Western type people would say that it is the prevue of monks, priests or religious persons. However, every religious tradition has practiced some form of meditation for eons. Insight meditations are much favoured in Buddhist practices. Mantras such as ‘Om padme’ of the Eastern tradition, or ‘La ilaha ill Allahu’ of the Islamic tradition are classic examples.
For the past several years the students at St. Brigid’s Elementary School, in Hamilton, have practiced Christian Meditation, or contemplative prayer, and look forward to these quiet moments in their school day.
Father John Main, a Benediction monk, reintroduced this ancient form of Christian prayer in 1975. It is a prayer of silence, simplicity, and discipline supported by a mantra or prayer word.
Recently, I began Christian Meditation with students in some Catholic elementary schools in Hamilton. Children from Kindergarten to grade 8 have embraced this form of prayer whole heartedly. Comments range from: I feel so peaceful, happy, relaxed, I feel God loves me, I’m surprised when it is over, can we do it again.
The struggles most often noted are: it is hard to keep my eyes closed, to sit still, and to keep stuff out of my mind. At the end of an initial period of meditation a 10 year old boy said quite spontaneously and obviously pleased with his insight, ‘now I know what I’m going to do when I get mad’.
Teachers notice a positive difference within the class, and the way the students are with one another. In talking with a grade 3 class about meditation, for the first time, and explaining about listening with the ear of your heart, one student asked me ‘ how did God talk to your heart about becoming a Sister’.
Children get contemplative prayer, and will ask their teacher to make time to meditate. One grade 8 student volunteered that he prays with his family at home.
For further information on this form of prayer visit The Canadian Christian Meditation Community
Ann Marshall CSJ