Explore meditation. Beginning on Thursday, March 30 at 7 p.m., Pastor John Griffin-Atil will offer a free weekly meditation course at the Imperial Beach United Methodist Church at 455 Palm Avenue. The course is open to everyone and will include reflection on Richard Rohrs book entitled The Naked Now: Seeing as the Mystics See and thirty minutes of silent contemplative prayer. Those participating are encouraged to purchase the book.

Meditation is a mindfulness practice that has been around for thousands of years. Forms of meditation exist in nearly every religious tradition, including Christianity. It is known by various names, such as prayer or contemplation. Meditation techniques are simple and can be learned in a few minutes or hours, but they take a lifetime of practice to master.

First and foremost, meditation is a practice of self-emptying. At its most basic, meditation is letting go - of our habitual thoughts, preferences, judgments, and feelings. It teaches one to live in an undefended way. Little by little one lets go of the need to prove one right or superior. It can be discovered that one is not so different from others. The individual taps into the immense, God-given source of compassion and kindness. Meditation retrains the mind and heart to know true humility and love.

This meditation experience is led by Griffin-Atil who is the pastor of the Imperial Beach United Methodist Church, an ordained clergy for 27 years who spent four years exploring the practices of Zen Buddhists and Quaker spiritualities of silence.

For more information, contact the church office at 619-424-5181 or ibumc@att.net. While reservations are not required, it would be helpful to notify the church that you plan to attend.

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Meditation Course Offered At IBUMC - Eagle & Times