Skip to:

Author Archives: Robert

An unusual winter in the Benedictine Abbey area

photo: br. Rober Żmiejko OSB

Posted in Media, Gallery | Leave a comment

To refresh our hearts…autumn in Lubin

Photo: br. Robert Żmiejko OSB

Posted in Media, Gallery | Leave a comment

To refresh our hearts…spring in Lubin

Photo: br. Robert Żmiejko OSB

Posted in Media, Gallery | Leave a comment

Renovation of the floor in the meditation hall in the Guest House

photo: br. Izaak Kapała OSB

Posted in Media, Gallery | Leave a comment

RESTORATION OF THE PAINTING OF THE TRANSFIGURATION

Photo: Magdalena Dyczewska

Posted in Media, Gallery | Leave a comment

Restoration of the walls around the Benedictine Abbey in Lubiń

Photo: br. Robert Żmiejko OSB

Posted in Media, Gallery | Leave a comment

o. Maksymilian Nawara OSB, Dariusz Hybel – dwóch w jednym (en)

Posted in Conferences | Leave a comment

Meditation in the process of creating an icon

Photo: br. Robert Żmiejko OSB

Posted in Media, Gallery | Leave a comment

Between winter and spring

Photo: br Robert Żmiejko OSB

Posted in Media, Gallery | Leave a comment

New Year’s session

Photo: Magda Machnicka        

Posted in Media, Gallery | Leave a comment

Monastery before the new meditation season

Photo: br. Robert Żmiejko OSB

Posted in Media, Gallery | Leave a comment

That in all things God may be glorified

Photo: br. Robert Żmiejko OSB

Posted in Media, Gallery | Leave a comment

Pray, work and do not be troubled – autumn in Lubiń

Photo: br. Robert Żmiejko OSB

Posted in Media, Gallery | Leave a comment

SESSION JULY 2016

Photo: Piotr Szafraniec

Posted in Media, Gallery | Leave a comment

That in everything God may be glorified – The Rule of Saint Benedict

Posted in Media, Gallery | Leave a comment

SPRING IN LUBIŃ

Photo: Monika Figiel

Posted in Media, Gallery | Leave a comment

Inter-religious dialogue – meeting in Lubin 29.04 – 01.05.2016

Photo: br. Robert Żmiejko OSB, Ewa Kutylak, Monika Figiel, Witek Ozimski

Posted in Media, Gallery | Leave a comment

Big Blue abbey garden in March and April

Photo: br. Robert Żmiejko OSB

Posted in Media, Gallery | Leave a comment

Meditation sessions in Gryżyna

Photo: Edyta Żukowska-Jędrzejewska

Posted in Media, Gallery | Leave a comment

Roshi Jakusho Kwong’s visit to Lubiń 14-16 June 2013

Photo: br. Robert Żmiejko OSB, Tadeusz Makulski

Posted in Media, Gallery | Leave a comment

Session 19-21 April 2013

Photo: Anna Liminowicz

Posted in Media, Gallery | Leave a comment

External activities

Away sessions (Kraków, Gryżyna, Łódź) Meditation sessions outside the Center in Lubiń have been organized for years in various places in Poland. Regular retreats for everyone are arranged in the Meditation and Recreation Center “Anapausis” in Gryżyna. There are sessions in or around Krakow once or twice a year, addressed mainly to Krakow groups associated with the Meditation Center in Lubiń. Similarly, for Łódź groups, sessions are organized around Łódź. Workshops and one-day meditation meetings (Łódź, Olsztyn, Lubiń) The Center also conducts workshops and one-day meditation meetings, which regularly take place in Łódź and Olsztyn. They are usually open for everyone and combined with meditation lectures.  We periodically inform you about these meetings on the website. There are also workshops for parents and teachers associated with kindergarten “Tratwa” (Raft) in Gostyń, with which the Center has been cooperating in a children’s meditation project for several years. Lectures, conferences Teachers (Fr. Maksymilian and Dariusz Hybel) give a series of lectures and conferences throughout the country. They continuously cooperate with the Dominican School of Faith in Gdańsk, Łódź, Poznań, Wrocław, and Szczecin. Fr. Maksymilian regularly conducts meditation retreats for Dominican brothers for several years in Służew and open meditation retreat in Lent, in the church of Jerusalem Communities in Warsaw. Articles, Book Projects Teachers have completed the book project – post mortem interview with Fr. Jan Bereza. “Listen, meditation is…”, constituting a compendium of teaching meditation and interreligious dialogue on a monastic ground. The plans for the near future are to start working on another book about meditation practice: “Reguły praktyki” (Practice Rules), and systematic development of Lubiń teaching, which will be included in the publication cycle „Droga miłującej Obecności” (The Way of Loving Presence). The book of Fr. Maksymilian “Oddychać imieniem” (Breathe the Name) published in February 2017. The book is the fruit of the conferences given by the author during meditation sessions in Lubiń and Bronowice in 2007-2011. Teachers regularly cooperate with the magazine “Charaktery – Medytacja” (Characters – Meditation) and periodically write articles for various magazines, which announcement you can always find on our website.

Posted in Center, External activities | Leave a comment

Internal activities

Open sessions They constitute the oldest measure of activity. They have been organized since the beginning of the Center’s existence. Traditionally, they take place once a month, usually on the third weekend, and are addressed to everyone who wants to experience a few days of intensive meditative practice. Open sessions start with some kind of practical initiation and general theological introduction to the meditation subject. Meetings are not themed and have an almost fixed structure. They are a unique opportunity for joint pray. Both for those longer associated with the Center and for beginners. Like meditation practice itself, there is no division into degrees nor levels. Longer sessions Longer sessions are organized at the Center at least twice a year. One during the holiday season, the other during the New Year. These sessions are intended for people associated with the Center for some time. It is not about progress in meditation. But because of the prior knowledge of the practice itself and the structure of the session. It is necessary because longer sessions may be more demanding. Sessions for groups affiliated to the Center Groups were constituting the Lubiń Community of Christian Meditation Groups engendered from standard practice at the Center. The Center is a spiritual home for them and a place of formation. It is essential, therefore, that at least once a year, each group has the opportunity to come to the Center. Sessions addressed to groups provide an opportunity for a personal meeting with the teacher and to deal with issues, problems, questions regarding the functioning of the group. During such sessions, there is usually more space for asking questions and talking to the leader, while respecting the traditional course of the meeting. Individual sessions People, who follow the path of inner prayer and have the desire to spend more intense, longer time on this practice, can have a personal session in the monastery. At the end of the session, you have to make an appointment in person with Fr. Maksymilian and set the time range and session plan with him. People who take part in this session, join the monks’ regular schedule, have extra longer meditations, and are in constant contact with the leader daily.

Posted in Center, Internal activities | Leave a comment

Meetings in dialogue

Regular meetings A session in dialogue with Zen Soto Buddhists organized once or twice a year. Due to proper formation and deep rooting in our tradition, which is a condition for fruitful engagement in dialogue, these sessions are addressed only to people who have been following the path of Christian meditation for a long time. Occasional meetings Since the Center is known for its involvement through dialogue among believers of different religions is also a place of frequent, casual, informal encounters with representatives of various religious traditions. Publications Over 25 years of dialogue practice and thorough knowledge that flows from religious studies causes both late Fr. Jan Bereza and Fr. Maksymilian are the authors of numerous articles, and scientific and accessible education, touching this subject.

Posted in Center, Meetings in dialogue | Leave a comment

CONTACT

CENTER OF CHRISTIAN MEDITATION IN THE BENEDICTINE MONASTERY IN LUBIŃ Benedictine Monastery ul. Mickiewicza 6, Lubiń 64-010 Krzywiń

Posted in Contact | Leave a comment

f. Maksymilian Nawara OSB

Posted in Conferences | Leave a comment

Dariusz Hybel

Posted in Conferences | Leave a comment

RULES OF PRACTICE

FREEDOM Spiritual life is all about total freedom. Just as you can’t force anyone to pray, nor pray or meditate for someone else, you can’t force God’s gifts and grace. St. Benedict orders to examine the motivations of the person entering the monastery, present him with everything difficult in monastic life, and finally ask: “are you able…?” Following this order, we present the Practice Rules, which are there to help us focus on what matters most. UNITY OF HEARTS AND MINDS Good experience of a meditation session depends on the state of mind of all practitioners, expressed by body posture, gestures, way of speaking, and silence. We bind our hearts and minds together through group practice. This attitude creates the chance that our meditation will be bearing fruit, but also requires us to take responsibility for others. We should remember that the quality of others’ practice also depends on the quality of commitment and dedication of our practice. Therefore, we should follow the rules of community life that flow from profound experience and are sanctified by tradition. The essence of practice is always following a common path with others. It doesn’t matter who we are and how long we practice; it is essential to follow a common way, helping each other and supporting each other. CARE OF SILENCE AND STILLNESS One of the essential principles of common practice is taking care of silence that strengthens concentration, mindfulness, and respect for each one and everyone. It is not easy. Silence and loneliness allow us to turn our minds inward. When there is no external experience, then our interior manifests itself naturally. It can be a painful and challenging experience of getting to know yourself. However, this is a necessary stage of our exculpation and spiritual growth. Without the practice of silence, it is impossible to talk about taking spiritual life seriously. LEADING TEACHER, ASSISTANT, SUPERVISORS The division of roles during a meditation session involves developing a form and rules of practice. It has its significant importance, not only for the smooth organization of the session but also has a deep internal dimension, which serves the practice of participants and duty persons. LEADING TEACHER The leader is the primary person responsible for the course of the meditation session. He introduces people who first came to Lubiń in the practice and theology of sitting meditation, meditation in motion, and the practice of prostrations. He conducts individual conversations, and also gives conferences. He changes the session plan as needed. The leading teacher is supported by an assistant, kitchen supervisor, and meditation room supervisor. ASSISTANT The assistant cares about the structure and proper course of the session. He/She hits the clappers before the start of meditation, calling the participants to the meditation hall. The assistant gives the sound of the gong about the start and end of each round of meditation. Flaps stroke informs us about bows at the beginning or the ending of meditation round. Also, about the starting and the conclusion of meditation in motion. The assistant introduces newcomers to meditation. His/Her function is also associated with a responsibility for work – its division, distribution, and introduction to it. KITCHEN SUPERVISOR The person responsible for the kitchen is liable for monitoring this part of the practice that involves shared meals and working in the kitchen. This person oversees food products, their quantities, and proportions that would allow efficient preparation of meals by persons on duty appointed for this purpose. He/She keeps with the kitchen of the monks. Questions about the organization of work in the kitchen should be addressed to him/her. MEDITATION HALL SUPERVISOR This person is responsible for the distribution of mats and pillows, location of individual persons. He/She cares for order and cleanliness in the hall and airs it in time and between practices. He/She also remembers about every time lighting a candle (a few minutes before starting meditation) and about snuffing it out after the practice. If necessary, he/she informs about changes in the layout of mats and new places occupied by session participants. MEDITATION HALL A meditation hall is a place of formal practice. Five minutes before the practice begins, a clapper sounds in the monastery corridors. Take off your shoes before entering the meditation hall. Entering the meditation hall, we bow towards the cross, standing up with folded hands. After the bow, we approach the mat calmly, and we stand near its edge. We do not cross the center of the hall diagonally, we always move on the outer line of mats, just like during walking between rounds of meditation. Exiting the meditation hall, we bow towards the cross, standing up with folded hands. The meditation hall is the place where we should especially care about staying focused – here we do not talk, do not exchange comments, and do not look sideways. We carefully carry out every activity, without haste, remembering at every moment of the practice that those who can be patient and thorough in small, ordinary things, he/she will receive great ones. Before the first meditation, participants stand at the edge of the mats. They bow and sit down. Meditation begins. SITTING FORM OF MEDITATION Each round of sitting meditation begins and ends with a gong. A double gong means that a round of sitting meditation is followed by meditation in motion. MEDITATION IN MOTION During meditation in motion, we should maintain the same discipline and concentration as when sitting. From sitting meditation to meditation in motion, we move smoothly, slowly, with delicacy. However, if our legs numb or we feel dizzy, we get up only when we regain strength. After hitting the clappers, we make a bow with hands folded at the height of the solar plexus. We walk around mats. While walking, we can also use the bathroom or, for some other reason, leave the meditation hall. However, we come back before starting a sitting meditation. PROSTRATIONS Prostrations practice precedes morning meditation. Prostrations as a prayer gesture (prostratio) since biblical times are permanent elements of spiritual life. Before each prostrations practice, the leader explains its meaning and essence, and also gives instructions on how to do bow down. MONASTIC LITURGY OF THE HOURS We go to the chapel to pray together with the monks four times a day. The basis of prayers is recitations or songs of psalms (Monastic Liturgy of the Hours). WORK During the day, about an hour and a half are spent on work by us. Before we start, we meet for Listening to the introduction and for the assignment of duties. Work is an essential element of meditation practice and simple testimony to its quality. Each activity is just equally important, and each one directly affects our inner life. The way we work best reflects our state of mind. In this way, we deepen our meditation, and in the simplest possible way, we check whether it retains value in contact with everyday life. When, for some reason, we cannot do the assigned work, we inform the assistant about it. If we finished our work early, we ask for the next one or help others. KITCHEN AND MEALS We eat meals in silence. In the context of meditation practice, it is worth noting that greed is the most common cause of mental sluggishness during meditation and prayer. Eating meals can be a good exercise of awareness when we can see the needs of those sitting next to us when we can finish eating food together with others. Five minutes before each meal, a clapper sounds for a meal. CIRCLE CEREMONY The session usually ends with a circle ceremony, which is, sharing your thoughts and feelings with others. It is also a way to thank others for common practice. This custom is an essential and beautiful moment that gives everyone a chance to speak. Our experiences can be inspiring for others when they flow from our heart, and they no lack of simplicity and sincerity. The confrontation of our feelings or experiences with the experiences of others can be constructive in answering the difficulties arising during the practice. ENDING Let’s ask the Holy Spirit to live in us. Let accompany, inspire, and enlighten us. Ask Him to teach us to pray and strengthen us, that we would not stop.

Posted in Practice rules, Practice | Leave a comment

Links

BEDE GRIFFITHS OSB For those interested in the person and work of Fr. Bede Griffiths OSB, we recommend website www.bedegriffiths.com INTERRELIGIOUS DIALOGUE If you are interested in the interreligious dialogue, please visit the website www.monasticdialog.com FREEMAN OSB The World Community for Christian Meditation (WCCM) led by Fr. Laurence Freeman OSB, in addition to the website www.wccm.org also has a Polish website www.wccm.pl HESYCHASM If you are interested in hesychasm, please refer to the website (in Polish) www.hezychazm.republika.pl KEATING & PENNINGTON Website https://www.contemplativeoutreach.org is dedicated to “centering prayer,” that is, the form of meditation proposed by Fr. Thomas Keating OCSO and Fr. Basil Pennington OCSO. BENEDICTINE MONASTERY Lubiń Monastery website: http://www.benedyktyni.net/ LE SAUX For those interested in the person and work of Fr. Henri Le Saux, please visit the website www.abhishiktananda.org.in JESUS PREYER Website (in Polish) dedicated to promoting Jesus Prayer. Some texts help to enter the path of Christian Meditation on your own, as well as information about meditation sessions and retreats taking place in other centers. Learn more at http://benedyktyni.pl/modlitwa-jezusowa/ OPEN HEART – OPEN MIND Dialogue, missions, meeting, i.e., the art-house website of Fr. Wojciech Drążek CMM, being in close contact with the Center of Christian Meditation in Lubiń. If interested, please refer to the website www.otwarteserce.com CONTEMPLATIVE RENEWAL MOVEMENT IN POLAND If you are interested, please visit the website of Contemplative Outreach Poland at www.odnowakontemplacyjna.com THOMAS MERTON For those interested in the person and work of Fr. Thomas Merton, we recommend websites: www.merton.org and www.mertoninstitute.org

Posted in Practice, Linki EN | Leave a comment