by Michelle Vass.

From my spot in the meditation room, I have the icon of Jesus the Pantocrator to my right, and I look out on a beautiful five-limbed ghost gum. During a retreat in the early days of my stay here, I realised that the five limbs mirrored the blessing hand of Jesus in the icon (two fingers symbolising his human and divine natures, and the other three representing the Trinity). We had heard the lines from Colossians 1:15-17 that morning, ‘He is the image of the unseen God….and in him all things hold together.’ It seemed good and right to be here in Central Australia. As the days have turned into starry nights and back again, that blessing hand and those beautiful limbs have held and sustained me during my time here as Meditator in Residence.

So what does a Meditator in Residence do all day? Well there are times of standing, and sitting, still, in prayer and meditation, attentive to the Spirit. And there are times of going out, leading retreats and meditation sessions and engaging with the community in a volunteer capacity. I was drawn to apply for this position by the words in the role description, ‘as a spiritual presence to work with and complement the offerings of the managers, to offer daily times of meditation, and to embody the Benedictine values of hospitality, generosity and humility in relationship with those living at or visiting Campfire.’ As a relatively new retiree with a commitment to silence and prayer, and wanting to be available to volunteer, I decided to put my hand up.

Each day is different yet punctuated by a rhythm of prayer and meditation. In keeping with the Worldwide Community for Christian Meditation spirit of Campfire, I use the WCCM Bonnevaux Daily Prayer book (which incorporates meditation in the daily prayer of the church) in the morning joining the online Campfire group, then at midday, and again in the afternoon. Members of the community here join in as circumstances allow, as do volunteers and sometimes other guests too.

The mornings are usually spent writing reflections or preparing for retreats and other offerings. Once a week I lead the Christian Meditation session at the Catholic Church, and I also volunteer at the Old Timers nursing home, mostly spending time with the elderly First Nations women. Mid afternoon or early evening is a good time to walk the labyrinth. What a luxury it is to have a full size Chartres Cathedral labyrinth only metres from my front door! Daily Tai Chi and walks in the bush out the back or at other locations around Alice Springs are also opportunities to be attentive to the silence, and the world around me, in a prayerful manner.

Some days are busy at Campfire and it might not always be possible to fit in the planned meditations. Then it is helpful to remember the words of Fr John Main (Moment of Christ, p3), “St Paul wrote this to the Corinthians (2 Cor:4-6), For the same God who said, ‘Out of darkness let light shine,’ has caused his light to shine within us, to give the light of revelation – the revelation of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. The power of this light is to be found within our hearts, within each one of us. What each of us must learn to do is to be open to that power and to live our lives out of it.” Meditation doesn’t only happen when we sit in the meditation room. Hopefully, our practice eventually changes us so that our mantra or sacred prayer word lives in us more and
more, whether we are sitting in meditation, engaging with others, or helping out with cleaning and washing. It is a continual process to allow that light to shine in my heart. As each day ends, I give thanks for the opportunity to be present once again, to hold the Silence for those here, those who visit and those who can’t, for whatever reason, spend time in prayer and meditation.

Early in my stay, I bought a book of poetry written by Arrernte women, Arelhekenhe Angkentye, Women’s Talk – Poems of Lyapirtneme from Arrernte Women in Central Australia. The following poem seems to sum up my stay so far. I pray that through our meditation, we will all come to know our own country.

They want to hold you. Amelia Kngwarraye Turner

So many Ilwempe

Ghost Gums
Some grow near creek beds
And some on rocky hills
To see them so beautiful
Growing wherever you go
Shining branches
Spreading out
Just like they want to hold you
It’s a perfect sight to you
They know you
In your own country
Ilwempe Ilwempe
Ghost Gums

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Michelle Vass is our Meditator-In-Residence for the months of August-September. Interested in learning more about the role? Click here.