WCCM Audio

This is a dialogue between Paola (WCCM Marketing) and Prof Peter Tyler, a long-time friend and companion of the World Community for Christian Meditation with an extensive academic career. Peter is presently Professor of Pastoral Theology and Spirituality at St Mary’s University, London. "Whenever I teach Christian spirituality, I always say there are two essential elements, two wings of the tradition. One is the desert monastic tradition. The other essential element is the one that forms the basis of the retreat, what's called the mystical tradition, a form of contemplation that's been around since the beginning of Christianity." Prof Peter Tyler will be leading a retreat titled 'Approaches to Meditation: Enriching Guidance from the wisdom of the Mystics', 28 April - 3 May, in Bonnevaux, France. Learn more at https://bonnevauxwccm.org/all-programmes/approaches-to-meditation-2026/#wccm #mystics #christianmeditation #stmarysuniversity  @StMarysUni  Music by SoulProdMusic (Canva)

Stefan Reynolds shares his journey into meditation, beginning at the age of 19 in India. He discusses the significance of places like Bonnevaux, and how the environment fosters a sense of community and tranquility. He also delves into the teachings of mystics, especially Teresa of Avila and John Main, emphasizing the importance of stillness and trust in the meditation process. Stefan highlights how these teachings can guide individuals in their spiritual journeys, likening meditation to learning to swim in the ocean of God.Stefan is leading the retreat Deepening Meditation - Launching Out (12-17 May in Bonnevaux). https://bonnevauxwccm.org/all-programmes/deepening-meditation-2026/Images by Michael Heck and Ben Kerckx (Pixabay and WikipediaSoundtrack by JoshMusic (Pixabay)

Homilies by Laurence Freeman OSB - Christ the King - Luke 23:35-43

Authentic spirituality is not above justice or human suffering. Spiritual truth is reflected in the gritty realities of the world whether it is honoured or denied. Feelings and relationships are part of our spiritual path but so too are social and political responsibilities. We are a single body, embodied in Christ. The old translation of St Paul`s phrase our conversation is in heaven sounds strange to us today. But reflect how our search for a peaceful world requires the recovery of the lost art of conversation – and we may see the link between silence and this fundamental value of civilisation. Continue watching at https://wccmplus.org/programs/our-conversation-is-in-heaven

These talks offer the maps and the practices from the Christian, Hindu and Buddhist traditions which will demonstrate to the participants how much sacred power and illumination they always have at their disposal. Continue watching at https://wccmplus.org/programs/radical-regeneration-with-andrew-harvey

Fr Laurence’s reflecting on one of the passages of his newly launched book ‘Tasting Wisdom’: "We suffer more and more from an inability to make healthy, lasting relationships. Those sort of relationships that demand selfless attention. And how can we make such a relationship if we are only thinking about ourselves, if we are locked into self -fixation?" #wccmbooks #laurencefreeman #tastingwisdom #contemplativeleaders #christianmeditation #twseries

Embark on a journey of transformation. Delve into the wisdom of visionaries, from medieval mystics to modern poets, who have glimpsed the "whole" amidst our fragmented world. Discover how beauty can liberate and awaken us, fostering profound connections with ourselves, others, and the world around us. Explore the depths of your own heart-work and embrace the transformative power of beauty.

Fr Laurence’s reflecting on one of the passages of his newly launched book ‘Tasting Wisdom’: "Without attention all these essential human aspects of growth, focusing, listening, tending towards the needs of others and our own needs, learning what we don't know, and understanding in a deeper and richer way, the mystery that we are part of... all of this growth process can be lost if we lose the art of attention." #wccmbooks #laurencefreeman #tastingwisdom #contemplativeleaders #christianmeditation #twseries

Fr Laurence’s reflecting on one of the passages of his newly launched book ‘Tasting Wisdom’: "Even though at first we may feel as if we are failing at it, we have to fail better. We have to keep trying and we need to encourage one another." #wccmbooks #laurencefreeman #tastingwisdom #contemplativeleaders #christianmeditation #twseries

Father Laurence Freeman explains that the theme of the John Main Seminar, 'INTEGRAL CHRISTIANITY: The Vision of Celtic Christianity for the Crisis of the 21st Century,' is urgent because the global environmental, political, and spiritual crises demand renewal. He asserts that to understand the way forward, we must draw inspiration from the past. The next John Main Seminar will be held at Balally Barish, Dublin and online from 6 to 9 November. More at https://wccm.org/jms2025/ #wccm #christianmeditation #frjohnmain #johnmainseminar

Sunday 28 September 2025. Contemplative Eucharist from Bonnevaux Gospel Luke 16:19-31

Meditation doesn’t destroy desire, but it does transform desire. It puts you into touch with what you really want. In quite a radical way of sorting and simplifying ourselves, it puts you back into touch with your basic need, which is your basic desire. Then joy springs up. Audio: Hamish Photo: Unsplash (Darius Baschar)

Sunday 14 September 2025, The Exaltation of the Holy Cross. Contemplative Eucharist from Bonnevaux

Celtic Christianity was one of the most vibrant expressions of the Christ-event in history. In this interview, Fr Jim, parish priest & Cinzia Angius, parish manager at Balally Parish, Dublin share their reflections on what makes Celtic Wisdom relevant today, why Balally is a contemplative parish and on this year's John Main Seminar theme 'The Vision of Celtic Christianity for the Crisis of the 21st Century'. Learn more at https://wccm.org/jms2025/

Beyond Success & Failure by Laurence Freeman

Luke 14:25-33 - 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time Homily by Laurence Freeman, Contemplative Eucharist from Bonnevaux, France

This is the first of a four-part series of talks in which Laurence Freeman draws on the wisdom of the early desert teachers as a contemporary way of understanding the human condition. The mothers and fathers of the early Christian desert combined spiritual insight with sharp psychological perception. You can watch the full collection at https://wccmplus.org/programs/the-eight-big-problems-of-life

Fr Laurence’s reflecting on one of the passages of his newly launched book ‘Tasting Wisdom’: "Meditation reveals human equality (We're all distracted) as well as our uniqueness: we are all called to be clear and to be calm." Please come and join Laurence Freeman to celebrate his book launch, live in London or online on 2 September. #booklaunch #wccmbooks #laurencefreeman #tastingwisdom #contemplativeleaders #christianmeditation #twseries

John Deane Irish poet and novelist is the founder of Poetry Ireland, Ireland ‘s National Poetry Society, and its journal “The Poetry Ireland Review”. "I believe a good artist stands between God and Humanity and tries to link it" John will be one of the speakers at the next John Main Seminar at Balally Parish, Dublin, Ireland 5 to 9 November, where speakers will explore the reappearance of Celtic Christian wisdom today at a critical moment for human evolution - more info at wccm.org/jms2025

Fr Laurence’s reflecting on one of the passages of his newly launched book ‘Tasting Wisdom’: "We can feel this fullness of being, pressing, wanting to be released through all that life continually presents to us. And although we may think we want to be fully alive, sometimes we resist it as well because it will change us." Please come and join Laurence Freeman to celebrate his book launch, live in London or online on 2 September. #booklaunch #wccmbooks #laurencefreeman #tastingwisdom #contemplativeleaders #christianmeditation #twseries