The Jesus Prayer at the Estes Park Y Camp. A planned business trip on the weekend with 59 others in my profession led to a blanket introduction from the organizers to all attendees asking if anyone would consider doing something meditative in the mornings during the weekend. What was being invited were New Age and Buddhist meditations, but I offered the Jesus Prayer as a meditative alternative, at Fr. Stace's suggestion. Six (>10%) attended Saturday morning. One of the men had confided that although he was probably now a Buddhist or maybe even an atheist after reading a book by John Shelby Spong some ten years ago, he had once been a Pentecostal preacher with his own congregation. Two others were recently graduated college students, idealistic and open eyed. Another was an acknowledged Christian brother with whom I had prayed before, an evangelical of quiet, steady faith. Finally, a retired woman friend from Grand Island, Nebraska, unassuming and conservative, a recent reader of The Purpose Driven Life with her Baptist church. Two other sets of circled chairs of similar size to ours shared the lecture room. Both of them attempted "guided" meditations involving chakra references and light allusions, a quiet recorded humming chant background, and the aroma of burning sage. Their "guides" spoke throughout our entire "silent" time, coaxing and encouraging consciousness expansion and peace. But while they were seeking it, our little group blessedly found it. The peaceful, settled quiteness of our Jesus praying group contrasted mightily to the others. I had been using the Jesus Prayer personally for about a year. The group practice was even more powerful. All attending found it pleasant and inspiring.

Not 300 feet from where we sat in reverie and spiritual peace, I had once been trained as a teacher of Transcendental Meditation by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi in 1970. My memory of that time in nearly the same place was rich. The approach and method of the Jesus prayer is similar to that of the TM mantric technique, mechanically. But the satisfaction and unification of the Jesus Prayer practice was enormous.

I am greatful to Fr. Stace for the suggestion. One young man from our circle spent the evening with me discussing his faith. This morning as we said our goodbyes, he announced his intention to come to Epiphany Church and join our Men's Ministry. He lives in nearby Capital Hill. God is good.