"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."

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 and 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

Tuesday afternoon – monthly Centering Prayer Meditation – in person at 1pm in the Malone Room, 214 Richardson Street, Middle Park

Thursday evening – weekly Meditation – in person 7pm in the Malone Room, 214 Richardson Street, Middle Park

Friday morning – weekly Lectio Divina – via zoom 10am – 11am

Daily – The Liturgy of the Hours (Divine Office) are available at Carmel Prays: Liturgy of the Hours The link provides both text and audio to assist in this form of prayer.

Tuesday Prayer Meditation (weekly)

Prayer Meditation via zoom every Tuesday from 5.00 to 5.40pm approx.

These weekly meditation sessions go for 30-40 minutes and include a short prayer/reflection to lead us into a silent meditation for around 20 minutes. The process is a simple one and is an invitation to a silent and still place towards the end of the day.

The sessions are led by Natalie Chubaty and various members of our virtual meditation community and we welcome you to lead us in some sessions too.

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83911923939?pwd=SVdvNXlXUXZPTlNqSVJDRjdnSDByQT09

Meeting ID: 839 1192 3939
Passcode: 129738

If you’d like to receive a weekly email regarding this event please subscribe to the Tuesday Meditation list. Scroll to the bottom of the home page, fill in your email address and choose the desired list(s). We look forward to seeing you on zoom.

Centering Prayer (monthly)

Centering Prayer is an invitation for all with an open heart who are seeking to bring unity and wholeness into their daily life.

Kathryn Pile leads Centering Prayer Meditation on the first Tuesday of the month at 1.00pm in the Malone Room. (First door on the left when entering from 214 Richardson Street, Middle Park.) The session runs for approx 50 minutes and begins with a guided reflection then an extended period of silence. After the session there is an invitation to share time together socially.

Centering Prayer 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.

We are hoping to hold a walking meditation in St Vincent Gardens, Ferrars Street in South Melbourne during the year when weather permits.  Details will be provided in advance.

Contact Kathryn for the monthly reminder or to inquire about the sessions.  kathryn@thecarmelitecentremelbourne.org

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.

Thursday Evening Meditation (weekly)

WEEKLY MEDITATION

Meditation in the Malone Room in the Carmelite Hall is held at 7pm on every Thursday (except Holy Thursday and late December and early January.)

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

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 (weekly)

We offer weekly Lectio Divina reflection time on zoom. You are most welcome to join our virtual community on Friday mornings at 10am.

The plan is to read privately and reflect 9.30am – 10am and then at 10am join the zoom gathering. We begin with an opening prayer, reading the Gospel of the following Sunday, then listen to Fr David’s insights into the text. After this a time for sharing reflections is available for those who wish to participate. We then move into intercessory prayers and finish with a closing prayer. Always finishes by 11am.

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

Meeting ID: 897 9235 2290
Passcode: 811610

If you’d like to receive the readings and Fr David’s notes each week by email, subscribe to the Lectio Divina list. Scroll to the bottom of the  home page, fill in your email address and choose the desired list(s). We look forward to seeing you on zoom.

Weekly Readings and Reflections

Each week Fr David Hofman, OCarm provides:

Gospel: The text of the Gospel for the coming Sunday. 
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 the last three weeks appear below. Click on the heading in the box. Previous months can be found here. 

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.”

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.