The contemplative communities of Contemplative Outreach and The World Community for Christian Meditation began independently of each other but in interdependence on the gospel tradition about twenty-five years ago.

Both communities grew from the Christian contemplative and apophatic heritage. We therefore share a special respect for the early monastic tradition, represented for example by John Cassian, the hesychasts of the Orthodox tradition and the medieval mystics such as the author of The Cloud of Unknowing. We believe these traditions are living streams and have a significant and urgent value for Christian life today, for the renewal of all the churches and for enhancing the sense of the sacred in the modern world.

It seems to us that the Spirit is awakening the contemplative life among the people of God beyond the usual lay or clerical categories. It also nurtures an experience of communion beyond denominational boundaries. The same Spirit is reminding us of the forgotten treasures of our Christian heritage. Seeing contemplation as a dimension of prayer and of personal lifestyle and finding a contemplative path taught in our own tradition often come as a welcome discovery to many Christians. We believe this discovery and its widening influence needs to be encouraged by all Christian leaders.

Contemplative prayer grows with faith and perseverance and, in order to sustain them, community is born. For both our communities small local groups characterize this growth, both in depth and numbers. We encourage friendship and the sharing of faith between these groups which are committed to be open, hospitable and ecumenical. We believe that greater growth will follow if the groups of each community meet together from time to time to share the silence of Christ and his Word.

The differences of approach to practice, particularly on the issues of the mantra or sacred symbol, are subtle expressions of the richness of the Christian tradition, not divisions. Wisdom and experience however suggest a person persevere in the same practice once undertaken. Living the wisdom of the contemplative path is a matter of faith active in love, not of spiritual techniques. Contemplation is primarily practice not theory and hence requires fidelity to a method or discipline.

While recognizing common sources and the ultimate goal for Christian contemplation we also accept that different interpretations and recommendations concerning practice can be equally valid. When differences are respected and similarities shared we are open to true unity and liberty of spirit. Out of the deepening experience of contemplation the fruits of the Spirit are born in ever-new ways. Charity, compassion and tolerance, peace-making and courage for social justice characterize Christian contemplation as lived by individuals and communities. A better appreciation and understanding of inter-religious dialogue is also a fruit of  the practice of our two communities.

Both our communities are, in the scheme of history, still very young. We are still discovering our full vocation in the Body of Christ. By our spiritual communion and by learning from each other we pray that we will be faithful to the contemplative journey and to the sharing of its spiritual riches with the world.

Laurence Freeman OSB / Thomas Keating OCSO

"Sharing the Way" Video (1999):
Father Laurence and Father Thomas in Conversation

Informal conversation between Thomas Keating, founder of the Centering Prayer movement and Contemplative Outreach, and Laurence Freeman, successor to John Main who since 1992 has been directing The World Community for Christian Meditation. In Part I of this 50-minute video they discuss, "The Traditional Elements of Spiritual Life" and in Part II, "The Impact of Contemplatives in the World Today and Tomorrow." Available from Medio Media.

Another Video is in Production (2001)
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