belonging
meditation
Click on the play button in the box above to listen to the meditation on SoundCloud. Click on the orange button to download the transcript.
This meditation uses images from the natural world. Although it refers to the Bible and Christian tradition, this is in a fairly open way. It can be used with people who are sympathetic to Christianity, at least at a cultural level, but might not describe themselves as Christian.
It’s designed to be used flexibly to suit the needs of the particular group you are working with. For example you might use the reflection as a way in to a period of silent prayer or meditation which you finish with a piece of music. Or you might use it right at the end of an otherwise lively session for young people to calm things down. You might organise a session in which people bring favourite poems, pieces of music, or pictures on the theme, using some of those suggested here to start things off.
It’s meant to feel light touch but with the capacity to go deep.
music
- Neil Diamond: The Power of Two
- Benjamin Britten: For the Flowers are Great Blessings (Rejoice in the Lamb)
- Edward Elgar: Proficiscere, anima Christiana (The Dream of Gerontius)
- Frederick Delius: The Walk to the Paradise Garden (A Village Romeo and Juliet)
- Johannes Brahms: How Lovely is your Dwelling Place (A German Requiem)
art
- Stanley Spencer: Christ in the Wilderness – Consider the Lilies
- Vincent van Gogh: Sunflowers 4
- John Ruskin: Study of Quatrefoil Fringed Gentian
poetry
- Mary Oliver: Daisies (In Why I Wake Early, Beacon Press)
- Mary Oliver: When Death Comes (In New and Selected Poems, Beacon Press)
- Robert Herrick: To Daffodils
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