Laurence Freeman
Encyclopedia
Laurence Freeman OSB is a Benedictine monk and Catholic priest of the Benedictine Congregation of Monte Oliveto
. He is the Director of the World Community for Christian Meditation, a global network of Christian meditation groups that practice the way of Christian meditation, and of its Benedictine oblate community. Freeman is based in London at the Meditatio Centre of the WCCM and travels widely.
where he studied for a master's degree. Deciding not to do postgraduate work he entered a merchant bank and later began a career in journalism. After an extended retreat under John Main’s
guidance he became a monk at Ealing Abbey
. During his time there the first Christian meditation centre was formed and Freeman helped to establish this and also to publish the first works of John Main which served to spread the teaching of Christian meditation, eventually, around the world.
In 1977 he accompanied John Main to Montreal, Canada at the invitation of the Archbishop of Montreal to establish a Benedictine community of monks and lay people dedicated to the practice and teaching of meditation. While in Montreal he studied theology at the Université de Montréal
and at McGill University
. He made his solemn monastic profession on 18 October 1979 and was ordained to the priesthood on 8 June 1980.
After John Main died on 30 December 1982, Freeman succeeded him as prior of the new community and began to travel widely. A global spiritual family and organisation began to develop. In 1991 he participated in the establishment of the World Community for Christian Meditation during the John Main Seminar of that year led by Fr Bede Griffiths in New Harmony, Indiana. Freeman returned to England to establish the International Centre of the World Community for Christian Meditation. The community is now present in more than 100 countries.
Freeman is also the founder and director of the John Main Centre for Meditation and Inter-religious Dialogue at Georgetown University
. He is the author of many books and articles and is also the editor of John Main's works and a member of the board of Medio Media, the publishing arm of the WCCM. He has conducted dialogues and peace initiatives such as the historic "Way of Peace" with the Dalai Lama
and is active in inter-religious dialogue with other faiths as well as in encouraging the teaching of Christian meditation to children and students and in the reappropriation of the contemplative wisdom tradition in Christianity and society at large. In 2011, marking the 20th anniversary of the WCCM, Freeman and the guiding board launched Meditatio, the outreach of the WCCM. This initiative comprises a series of Meditatio Seminars (2010 on Meditation and Children; 2011 Meditation and Mental Health; 2012 Meditation and Inter-Religious Dialogue); the networking of young meditators in the global community and the development of web-based technology to spread a contemplative message.
In 2009, Freeman was made an Officer of the Order of Canada
"for his contributions as the spiritual leader and director of the World Community for Christian Meditation, and as a proponent of peace and inter-religious dialogue and understanding."
Territorial Abbey of Monte Oliveto Maggiore
The Abbey of Monte Oliveto Maggiore is a large Benedictine monastery in the Italian region of Tuscany, 10 km south of Asciano. Its buildings, which are mostly of red brick, are conspicuous against the grey clayey and sandy soil—the Crete senesi which give this area of Tuscany its name.It is a...
. He is the Director of the World Community for Christian Meditation, a global network of Christian meditation groups that practice the way of Christian meditation, and of its Benedictine oblate community. Freeman is based in London at the Meditatio Centre of the WCCM and travels widely.
Life
Freeman was born in London, England and was educated by the Benedictines at St Benedict’s School, Ealing. After experience in the United Nations Youth Association, where he worked in establishing and networking local groups of young people interested in the work of the United Nations, and a year at the United Kingdom's mission to the UN in New York, he went to read English literature at New College, OxfordNew College, Oxford
New College is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom.- Overview :The College's official name, College of St Mary, is the same as that of the older Oriel College; hence, it has been referred to as the "New College of St Mary", and is now almost always...
where he studied for a master's degree. Deciding not to do postgraduate work he entered a merchant bank and later began a career in journalism. After an extended retreat under John Main’s
John Main
John Main OSB was a Roman Catholic Benedictine monk and priest who presented a way of Christian meditation which utilized a prayer-phrase or mantra. In 1975 Main began Christian meditation groups which met at Ealing Abbey, his monastery in West London, England and, later, in Montreal, Canada...
guidance he became a monk at Ealing Abbey
Ealing Abbey
Ealing Abbey is a Roman Catholic Benedictine monastic foundation in West London, England, and part of the English Benedictine Congregation.-History:...
. During his time there the first Christian meditation centre was formed and Freeman helped to establish this and also to publish the first works of John Main which served to spread the teaching of Christian meditation, eventually, around the world.
In 1977 he accompanied John Main to Montreal, Canada at the invitation of the Archbishop of Montreal to establish a Benedictine community of monks and lay people dedicated to the practice and teaching of meditation. While in Montreal he studied theology at the Université de Montréal
Université de Montréal
The Université de Montréal is a public francophone research university in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. It comprises thirteen faculties, more than sixty departments and two affiliated schools: the École Polytechnique and HEC Montréal...
and at McGill University
McGill University
Mohammed Fathy is a public research university located in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The university bears the name of James McGill, a prominent Montreal merchant from Glasgow, Scotland, whose bequest formed the beginning of the university...
. He made his solemn monastic profession on 18 October 1979 and was ordained to the priesthood on 8 June 1980.
After John Main died on 30 December 1982, Freeman succeeded him as prior of the new community and began to travel widely. A global spiritual family and organisation began to develop. In 1991 he participated in the establishment of the World Community for Christian Meditation during the John Main Seminar of that year led by Fr Bede Griffiths in New Harmony, Indiana. Freeman returned to England to establish the International Centre of the World Community for Christian Meditation. The community is now present in more than 100 countries.
Freeman is also the founder and director of the John Main Centre for Meditation and Inter-religious Dialogue at Georgetown University
Georgetown University
Georgetown University is a private, Jesuit, research university whose main campus is in the Georgetown neighborhood of Washington, D.C. Founded in 1789, it is the oldest Catholic university in the United States...
. He is the author of many books and articles and is also the editor of John Main's works and a member of the board of Medio Media, the publishing arm of the WCCM. He has conducted dialogues and peace initiatives such as the historic "Way of Peace" with the Dalai Lama
Dalai Lama
The Dalai Lama is a high lama in the Gelug or "Yellow Hat" branch of Tibetan Buddhism. The name is a combination of the Mongolian word далай meaning "Ocean" and the Tibetan word bla-ma meaning "teacher"...
and is active in inter-religious dialogue with other faiths as well as in encouraging the teaching of Christian meditation to children and students and in the reappropriation of the contemplative wisdom tradition in Christianity and society at large. In 2011, marking the 20th anniversary of the WCCM, Freeman and the guiding board launched Meditatio, the outreach of the WCCM. This initiative comprises a series of Meditatio Seminars (2010 on Meditation and Children; 2011 Meditation and Mental Health; 2012 Meditation and Inter-Religious Dialogue); the networking of young meditators in the global community and the development of web-based technology to spread a contemplative message.
In 2009, Freeman was made an Officer of the Order of Canada
Order of Canada
The Order of Canada is a Canadian national order, admission into which is, within the system of orders, decorations, and medals of Canada, the second highest honour for merit...
"for his contributions as the spiritual leader and director of the World Community for Christian Meditation, and as a proponent of peace and inter-religious dialogue and understanding."
External links
- http://www.wccm.org/content/laurence-freeman-osb at the World Community for Christian MeditationWorld Community for Christian MeditationThe World Community for Christian Meditation was founded in 1991 to foster the teachings of Benedictine monk and priest, Fr. John Main, O.S.B. Fr. Main taught a way of Christian meditation which he based on parallels he saw between the spiritual practice taught by Desert Father John Cassian and...
international website - Meditation with Children - Directed by Laurence Freeman OSB
- The Spiritual Solution - for young people
- Christian Meditation Groups - A Pearl of Great Price, Laurence Freeman OSB, author
- Christian Meditation as an 11th Step Recovery Program
- La Meditación Cristiana
- The John Main Center and inter-religious dialogue, Georgetown University - Founder Father Laurence Freeman