Book Reviews
‘El camino de la meditación: Momento de Cristo’ (The Path of Meditation: Moment of Christ)
The practice of meditation is often associated with the spiritual disciplines of the East. But meditation, which originated in Vedic Hinduism, is also found in the Christian tradition. In the last years, it has become mainstream in Western culture.
El Camino de la Meditación: Momento de Cristo
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The practice of meditation is often associated with the spiritual disciplines of the East. But meditation, which originated in Vedic Hinduism, is also found in the Christian tradition. In the last years, it has become mainstream in Western culture.
What is meditation? Why do we meditate? How can we benefit from it? Published for the first time in Spanish, ‘El camino de la meditación: Momento de Cristo’ (Convivium Press, $18.99), is one of the most influential works by John Main.
According to him, the book can help us search for, and find, the answers in the name of Christ. It is based on Communitas, a series of live talks Main gave in the last years of his life. Thus, is not a continuous narrative, in fact it can be approached alternately. Written in a simple style, the book is a source of spiritual nourishment and enlightment that can bring the reader closer to the practice of meditation. The message is clear: our salvation lies in the hands of Christ and the Holy Spirit.
Divided in 34 easy-to-read-and-follow chapters (The Path to Mantra, The peace of Christ, The Path to Eternity, Original innocence, among others), this 159 page-book encourages us to begin the path of meditation and to persevere on our journey of silent prayer, peace and tranquility. Main believed that meditation, as a way of tolerance and compassion, “builds a bridge of the spirit between peoples of different faiths, between rich and poor, and between all those suffering conflict of division.”
What is meditation?
Meditation, says Main, is the suppression of thought and image, leaving distraction behind. The repetition of a short phrase facilitates the mantra and the concept of the poverty of spirit throughout prayer. Silence is the best preparation for meditation and it can be done in 20 or 30 minutes a day, in private. Meditation involves imageless and silence prayer through repetition of a mantra: Maranatha. No matter our religion, faith or beliefs, we all need a mantra, says Main. That magic word “centers the whole subject in the presence of Christ and the Holy Spirit.”
The book is filled with helpful advice and deep, spiritual insight. Its beautiful message will serve anyone, or any group, wishing to get closer to God and Christ through the practice of meditation.
About the author
John Main was a Benedictine monk, born in London in 1926. Without a doubt he is one of the greatest modern sages of prayer, having devoted his time and life to bring Christian meditation to the world. In 1975, he opened the first Christian Meditation Center at his monastery in London, and later in Montreal. He rediscovered Christian Meditation in the 20th Century and proposed it to contemporary women and men seeking sense and inspiration in their lives. During his youth, while living in Asia, he met his spiritual teacher, a Hindu Monk named Swami Satyananda, who transmitted him the technique of Hindu Meditation. Later, Main discovered that similar practices existed in Christian tradition. He died of cancer in December 1982, at his monastery in Montreal.
For more information on ‘El camino de la meditación: Momento de Cristo’ and/or other books, please visit www.tintafresca.us
