loving
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
- Grayson Ives: A Song of Divine Love
- Maurice Duruflé: Ubi Caritas et Amor*
- Stormzy: Blinded by your Grace
- Samuel Wesley: Wash me Throughly
- Graham Kendrick: I Shall be Clean Again
art
poetry
- Rumi: All Through Eternity
- Geoffrey Anketell Studdert Kennedy: I Know Not Where They Have Laid Him
*Translation of Ubi Caritas et Amor
Where charity and love are, God is there.
Christ’s love has gathered us into one.
Let us rejoice and be pleased in Him.
Let us fear, and let us love the living God.
And may we love each other with a sincere heart.
Where charity and love are, God is there.
As we are gathered into one body,
Beware, lest we be divided in mind.
Let evil impulses stop, let controversy cease,
And may Christ our God be in our midst.
Where charity and love are, God is there.
And may we with the saints also,
See Thy face in glory, O Christ our God:
The joy that is immense and good,
Unto the ages through infinite ages. Amen.
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