Passage Meditation Group at UUFCC
Our Passage Meditation Group meets on the first and third Wednesdays of each month at 7pm in room 6 at the UU Fellowship of Centre County. The format of the meeting is:
1. Discussion (30 minutes):
2. Inspiration – readings, video or DVD (30 minutes):
3. Meditation (30 minutes)
Before attending a Passage Meditation Group meeting, please read the first chapters of the book Meditation by Eknath Easwaran or available in the UU Fellowship Library under “Meditation.” The revised edition (Passage Meditation) is available at many bookstores.
More information
1. Discussion (30 minutes):
2. Inspiration – readings, video or DVD (30 minutes):
3. Meditation (30 minutes)
Before attending a Passage Meditation Group meeting, please read the first chapters of the book Meditation by Eknath Easwaran or available in the UU Fellowship Library under “Meditation.” The revised edition (Passage Meditation) is available at many bookstores.
More information
Passage Meditation
From Eknath Easwaran:
This is the central principle of our meditation practice: you are what you think. By meditating on words that embody your highest ideals, you drive them deep into your consciousness. In meditation we train the mind to be one-pointed by concentrating on a single subject – an inspirational passage. Whenever the mind wanders and becomes many-pointed, we give more attention to the passage – over and over and over again. It is certainly challenging work, but gradually the mind becomes disciplined. Here is a brief summary of this form of meditation:
This approach to meditation is nonsectarian, nondenominational, and free from dogma and ritual. It can be used within your own cultural and religious background to relieve stress, heal relationships, transform anger and realize your highest spiritual potential.
This is the central principle of our meditation practice: you are what you think. By meditating on words that embody your highest ideals, you drive them deep into your consciousness. In meditation we train the mind to be one-pointed by concentrating on a single subject – an inspirational passage. Whenever the mind wanders and becomes many-pointed, we give more attention to the passage – over and over and over again. It is certainly challenging work, but gradually the mind becomes disciplined. Here is a brief summary of this form of meditation:
- Choose a time for meditation when you can sit for half an hour in uninterrupted quiet. Sit with your back and head erect, on the floor or on a straight-backed chair.
- Close your eyes and begin to go slowly, in your mind, through the words of a simple, positive, inspirational passage from one of the world’s great spiritual traditions. (Remember, you become what you meditate on.) Easwaran recommends beginning with the Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi. Another good passage to start meditating on is Discourse on Good Will by the Buddha.
- While you are meditating, do not follow any association of ideas or allow your mind to reflect on the meaning of the words. If you are giving your full attention to each word, the meaning cannot help sinking in.
- When distractions come, do not resist them, but give more attention to the words of the passage. If your mind strays from the passage entirely, bring it back gently to the beginning of the stanza and start again.
- Resolve to have your 30 minutes of meditation every day – however full your schedule, whatever interruptions threaten, whether you are sick or well. The early morning is the best time for meditation.
This approach to meditation is nonsectarian, nondenominational, and free from dogma and ritual. It can be used within your own cultural and religious background to relieve stress, heal relationships, transform anger and realize your highest spiritual potential.
For lots more information and suggested passages, see Blue Mountain Center for Meditation