"we need no wings to go in search of God but have only to find a place where we can be alone and look upon God present within us."

Teresa of Avila
STILLNESS & SILENCE

 The Carmelite Centre Melbourne seeks to provide a contemplative space to facilitate spiritual journeys and personal growth with many different programs and services. A distinctive characteristic of The Carmelite Way is Stillness & Silence. These regular events offer an opportunity for Stillness & Silence. Scroll down for more details:

Tuesday afternoon – weekly Prayer Meditation – via zoom 5pm-5.40pm approx (excluding 26 December 2023, and first 4 Tuesdays of January 2024. )

Tuesday afternoon – monthly Centering Prayer Meditation – in person at Carmelite Library Middle Park 12.45pm (excluding January 2024)

Thursday evening – weekly Meditation – in person 7pm in the Malone Room Middle Park (excluding 28 December 2023, and 4 weeks of January 2024)

Friday morning – weekly Lectio Divina – via zoom 10am (excluding 29 December 2023, and 4 weeks of January 2024)

 

Prayer Meditation

Prayer Meditation via Zoom 5.00 to 5.40pm approx.

Recurring link to join zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83489564757?pwd=a2lTeUV1ZHVZRjBJQU84NXVGcExlZz09
Passcode: 124082

If you like to receive a weekly email regarding this event please email [email protected]

 

 

Centering Prayer Meditation 

Kathryn Pile will lead Centering Prayer Mediation in 2023 on the first Tuesday of the month at 12.45pm in the Carmelite Library. It runs for approx 50 minutes, and is followed by an invitation to share time together socially.

Dates for first half of 2024

  • 6 February
  • 5 March
  • 2 April (to be confirmed)
  • 7 May
  • 4 June

Contact Kathryn for the monthly reminder or to inquire about the sessions.  [email protected]

Centering Prayer Meditation draws on the Christian tradition of meditation from the heart centre, using themes from spiritual writing and scripture, to help us experience beyond limited intellect, the total mind we call Heart. It’s a surrender method, a practice based on letting go of thoughts as they arise to deepen a way of being in God’s Presence. deepening a relationship with God.

Centering Prayer Meditation is an invitation for all with an open heart who are seeking to bring unity and wholeness into their daily life, whether or not from a Christian background.

Watch an Introduction to Centering Prayer with Kathryn Pile here

You may like to use an app by Contemplative Outreach for your meditation at other times. You can find the app in the iTunes App Store or the Google Play Store if you have an Android; search for Centering Prayer.  Download here

 

 REFLECTIONS

Past and current reflections by Kathryn Pile can be found here.

THANK YOU FOR HELPING US CONTINUE OUR WORK. DONATE TO THE CARMELITE CENTRE here

Centering Prayer Meditation May 2023

Centering Prayer Meditation May 2023

Kathryn Pile leads meditations monthly in the Carmelite Library Tuesdays 12:45pm. Dates for 2023.Audio of MAY session attached for your ongoing reference. June 6, July 4 August 1 September 5 October 3 Melbourne Cup holiday - no meditation December 5 For previous audio...

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Centering Prayer Meditation 7 March 2023

Centering Prayer Meditation 7 March 2023

Kathryn Pile leads meditations monthly in the Carmelite Library Tuesdays 12:45pm. Dates for 2023.Audio of 7 March session attached for your ongoing reference. March 7, 12:45 pm April 4, 12:45 pm May 2, 12:45 pm June 6, 12:45 pm For previous audio and text reflections...

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Thursday Evening Meditation

WEEKLY MEDITATION

Meditation in the Malone Room in the Carmelite Hall is held at 7pm on every Thursday.

The text of past reflections and audio meditation by Peter Thomas are added each week to the blog here. The most recent three appear below.

THANK YOU FOR HELPING US CONTINUE OUR WORK. DONATE TO THE CARMELITE CENTRE here

“As we go about our daily activities I hope that by being in the present, by remaining mindful we will find joy in the midst of challenging times.” Peter

 
Meditation 2 November 2023

Meditation 2 November 2023

Meditation for Thursday 2nd November 2023 Today let’s re-cap on some basics… A Quiet Location. It’s desirable when meditating to choose a quiet location where there are few distractions. This can be particularly helpful if you are struggling with concentration however...

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Meditation 19 October 2023

Meditation 19 October 2023

Meditation for Thursday 19th October 2023  In my experience the seduction of embarking on the path of meditation is that some people can be fooled into believing that wanting to ‘do’ meditation is doing it. There are others who read scores of books and articles who...

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Meditation 12 October 2023

Meditation 12 October 2023

Meditation for Thursday 12th October 2023 Some years ago at a lecture by a Buddhist monk I recall he said that if we meditated regularly we would achieve nirvana, i.e. Perfection. As a young man I remember being taught in a religion class that it should be our goal in...

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Experience the benefit of meditation as a way of bringing peace, harmony and joy to your life.

Meditation is a way to assist us to live a ‘mindful’ life to enhance our day-to-day awareness by living in the present moment.

Meditation Groups
As there is no substitute for communal meditation its best that you seek out a meditation group that you can attend on a regular basis. The Carmelite Centre in Melbourne offers such opportunities however there are numerous groups nationwide run by Christian churches, yoga centres, Buddhist temples and numerous other organisations. If the opportunity to join a meditation group is not available or groups in your locality are unsuitable have confidence in your own ability to develop a private practice at home. The Carmelite Centre is always available to assist you with advice.

Meditation and Mindfulness Podcasts
We invite you to make use of the series of ten podcasts produced by Peter Thomas, who facilitates the usual Thursday evening meditation. They are available here.

Four-Week Meditation Program
To gain maximum benefit contact the Carmelite Centre and request The 4-Week Meditation program booklet that offers a progressive step-by-step approach to meditation and mindfulness. The booklet is available for a donation including postage. You can make a donation here

 

Meditation & Mindfulness Podcasts

 INTRODUCTION TO MEDITATION  –  SERIES OF TEN MODULES

​Peter Thomas who facilitates the usual Thursday evening meditation has produced a series of ten podcasts available here.

Listen to each of the podcasts to gain some appreciation of the value of meditation and mindfulness to your life. Treat each episode as a ‘lesson’, as though you are doing a course in meditation. Study the questions that arise from each podcast and answer the questions supplied as best as you can.

Presenter
The presenter of this series, “Meditation & Mindfulness” is Peter Thomas, facilitator of a meditation group for over 25 years and a meditator for over 30 years. He has provided workshops and training to a range of community organisations, schools and spiritual centres. He convenes a weekly meditation group at the Carmelite Centre in Middle Park.

All music used in this series is Royalty and Copyright Free. ‘Meditation & Mindfulness’ is a podcast presentation of the Carmelite Centre Middle Park, Vic. Australia.

 

Friday Morning Lectio Divina 10.00 am AEDT

You are most welcome to join our virtual community on Friday mornings at 10.00am for Lectio Divina.

We offering weekly Lectio Divina reflection time on zoom. Email us to be added to those who receive the readings and notes each week by email.

The recurring zoom link is https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89792352290?pwd=Wi9JUmtJQUJrQVJ3SVB6UXp3bFRlQT09

Meeting ID: 897 9235 2290
Passcode: 811610

The plan is to read privately and reflect 9.30am – 10am and then at 10am join the zoom gathering. After an opening prayer, reading the Scripture for the week, and listening to Fr David’s insights into the text, it is a time of sharing reflections. We then move into sharing personal prayers and finish with a closing prayer. Always finishes by 11;00am but you can leave at any time as needed.

Weekly Readings and Reflections

Each week Fr David Hofman, OCarm & Damien Peile provide:

Gospel: The text of the Gospel for the coming Sunday. (OT. A. means Ordinary Time in Year A of a three year cycle.)
Notes: A closer look at the reading; the liturgical setting for the particular Sunday; and an instructive reflection.
Celebrating at Home (CAH): A short liturgy including prayers and readings for use at home on Sunday.

Reading and notes from previous months can be found here.  The last three weeks appear below.

 

Lectio Divina November 10 2023

Scripture Reading Matthew 25:1 - 13 Jesus told this parable to his disciples: "The kingdom of heaven will be like this: Ten bridesmaids took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom.  Five of them were foolish and five were sensible: the foolish ones did take their...

Lectio Divina November 3 2023

Scripture Reading Matthew 23:1 - 12 Addressing the people and his disciples Jesus said, "The Scribes and the Pharisees occupy the chair of Moses.  You must therefore do what they tell you and listen to what they say; but do not be guided by what they do: since they do...

Lectio Divina October 27 2023

Scripture Reading Matthew 22:34 - 40 When the Pharisees heard that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees they got together and, to disconcert him, one of them put a question, "Master, which is the greatest commandment of the Law?" Jesus said, "You must love the Lord your...

Lectio Divina, a Latin term, means “divine reading” and describes a way of reading the Scriptures whereby we gradually let go of our own agenda and open ourselves to what God wants to say to us. In the 12th century, a Carthusian monk called Guigo, described the stages which he saw as essential to the practice of Lectio Divina. Whether individually or in groups, Guigo’s description remains fundamental.

Lectio Divina is an authentic source of Christian spirituality recommended by the Carmelite Rule. Carmelites practise it every day, to grow in the surpassing knowledge of Christ. In this way to put into practice the Apostle Paul’s commandment: “Let the sword of the spirit, the Word of God, live abundantly in your mouth and in your hearts; and whatever you must do, do it in the name of the Lord.”

A group meets each Friday morning for Lectio Divina on Zoom.
The plan is to read privately and reflect 9.30am – 10am and then at 10am join the zoom gathering. The time on zoom will be to share any reflections and prayers you have. You can leave the gathering at any time if needed. You are welcome to stay after the session finishes for a short time if you would like to catch up and share any news – ALL WELCOME.

If you are interested or have any questions please contact the Carmelite Centre through the contact us form or by direct email or phone 03 9690 5430   

Download Lectio Divina for each day of this month here.

THE CARMELITE LIBRARY OF SPIRITUALITY & MYSTICISM

Please note that the Carmelite Library is currently closed to members of the public whilst the new library team from the University of Divinity is getting established.

If you wish to BORROW resources during this period, you can arrange to do so by emailing [email protected] with the details of the requested resource.  Resources can be provided by post or can be picked up from the Mannix Library (278 Victoria Parade, East Melbourne).

If you wish to RETURN resources during this period, you can hand-deliver to the Provincial Office  at 75 Wright St, Middle Park or you can hand-deliver (or post suitably wrapped and protected materials) to the Mannix Library at 278 Victoria Parade, East Melbourne.

Please note that access to the Library will remain available for all scheduled Carmelite Centre activities.

Further announcements in respect of ongoing access arrangements will be announced prior to the Library re-opening in February 2024.

 

The catalogue is available on the library website.     A library blog contains information about recent events at the Carmelite Centre and much more.

The Carmelite Library is a member of the Australian and New Zealand Theological Library Association Ltd. This Association seeks to foster the study of theology and religion by enhancing the development of theological and religious libraries and librarianship.

 

The Carmelite Library of Spirituality & Mysticism

Library Opening Times

Closes Thursday 28 September 2023
Re-opens February 2024

Library Contact Details

[email protected]