Pathway to Deepening Your Christian Meditation Journey
This piece is adapted from an article by Rev Rosie Dell first published in Stillpoint Magazine, September 2026.
Pathways, Landscapes & Signposts
Deepening Your Meditation Journey By way of a story
I wonder how you discovered Christian Meditation?
Once discovered, I imagine some, like me, wondered where to go from there. We developing a new page on our website about the ‘Pathway to Deepening’ your meditation practice and relationship with the NZCCM community.
Paradoxically there is no set pathway but rather a landscape over which we might travel. On the other hand, there is a possible pathway with signposts we can follow, if that is the way for us.
If I tell you how I journeyed this pathway, you will notice some of those signposts. Some of them might be what you are looking for.
Before I begin, it is important to hold to the forefront that as John Main taught, meditation is a simple daily commitment and this is the foundation of both a pathway and of deepening.
⚑ Searching…
However that is not where everyone begins. My meditation journey began when I found a book in the library which had been donated by a local group that taught meditation. Of course some inner sense had me looking in that particular section of books. Something we may not be able to name sets us searching. Perhaps that is the first signpost.
⚑ Discovering an Introduction to Meditation Course
In my case, the form of meditation I came across didn’t fit with my Christian faith so it fell away. However, a seed was sown and I was amazed to then discover, through a paper I was doing at a Christian college some years later, that there was such a thing as Christian Meditation.
This was in the very early days of the internet, but I began a widespread search. I eventually connected with NZCCM and received newsletters in the post, but I wasn’t sure if I was able to attend events, perhaps partly because I am Anglican and Christian Meditation was predominantly Roman Catholic at that time. As my life followed various twists and turns I did eventually connect with an Anglican priest who ran an Introduction to Meditation Course, another signpost. (Do these still exist Rosie? How would we point people towards this signpost?)
⚑ Joining a Weekly Meditation Group
For many this is the beginning of a regular, twice daily practice. There may be ups and downs, but with discipline the rhythm is set. My local church began a monthly meditation group, led by my spiritual director, so I started attending. This was my first experience of meditating with others. Unfortunately, I soon moved away and it was many years and many more moves of location before I found another weekly group to join.
This time, something made me determined to succeed in this even though a series of obstacles arose initially. Eventually that meditation group grew to be pivotal in my life. Regular attendance at a Weekly Meditation Group – another signpost.
⚑ Participating in Community Days
For some, the weekly group is the beginning of a meditation practice and it may take some time for a daily and then twice daily discipline to be established. Meditating once a week, only when at the group, is one way of beginning. It may be your way.
Attendees at Christchurch Community Day (Feb 2026) Image from Stillpoint June 2026
Standing L-R: Kathleen Gallagher, Kevin Gallagher, Dugald Wilson, Linda Clarkson, David Beaumont, Jeannette Beaumont, Anne Hole, Caroline Fiddymont
Seated L-R: Helen Moran, Annette Reinheimer, Kathryn Fernando, Bobbi Lang
Meditating in a group has many benefits. There is accountability – if you only meditate at the group, at least you are meditating once a week. There is teaching and usually the opportunity for discussion about the teaching or any questions about the practice. Over time a sense of community develops. The group leader will advise of any other events coming up. If you have connected into the website and email newsletters you will be able to find out about these things yourself too.
I found that when the group leader mentioned a Community Day coming up I felt encouraged to go knowing others I knew would be there, and sometimes we could also share transport. Community Days are excellent on many levels, experiencing new learnings, connecting with others with similar spiritual leanings, being part of something bigger that has meaning and purpose. Community Days – another signpost.
⚑ Attending an Essential Teaching Weekend
After I had been to a few Community Days I became aware of other offerings. After a while I received an invitation to an Essential Teaching Weekend/Workshop - or ETW. This was a key moment for me, epitomised by the leaders going out of their way to make it work for me to attend and complete it. Taking part in an Essential Teaching Weekend– another signpost.
Keep an eye on the Events Page on this website to discover upcoming ETW opportunities. The online version is typically offered several times a year.
⚑ Sharing the Gift
This ETW not only grounded me in a deeper understanding of the tradition but also prepared me to ‘share the gift’. I immediately started a meditation group at my own church. Another signpost – Sharing the Gift.
⚑ Going on a Deep Silent Retreat
As time permitted, I then attended shorter meditation retreats in my area thus growing in appreciation of the community and of the teaching. I always find retreats an encouragement to my practice and know that an annual retreat is ideal. The most significant retreat experience was the 7-day silent retreat. This has gone by different names. Originally it was the School of Meditation but more recently is described as the Intensive 7-day Silent Retreat and now the Deep Silent Retreat. Whichever the name, for me, this was a significant signpost.
🧭 General Landscape
Alongside the signposts, as mentioned, there is a more general landscape that adds to the spiritual richness of this path. There are many books available, in various formats. I have quite a collection of John Main’s books, including Silence and Stillness in Every Season which provides a reading for each day. Laurence Freeman has many books as well as daily messages via email or app. The WCCM website has extensive resources, including online courses being continually available.
I value my regular meetings with my spiritual director. She understands the contemplative nature of my path and helps me see what God is doing in my life. If it is possible for you, spiritual direction is a valuable guide along the way. Beginners on the Christian mediation journey also have an opportunity to meet with an experienced NZCCM meditation mentor for four free sessions. Learn more HERE.
Lastly, in this landscape, is awareness of the many ways of prayer of which meditation is one. Father Laurence teaches about the Wheel of Prayer in a number of his talks, videos and writings. My landscape includes various ‘spokes’ on the wheel of prayer, with meditation at the centre of the wheel.
🥾 Perseverence
You may have noticed a theme running alongside these things and that is perseverance. When we have a sense of call or spiritual yearning, it can often take time to bear fruit, and we have to persevere through obstacles that may arise. Not all have this experience but it has been mine, so don’t be surprised if obstacles arise. Stay path and return to the path if staying was too hard.
It may be that the pathway to deepening will call you to consider being an Oblate. Explore the Oblates page on our website to find out more about his part of the path.
Your pathway to deepening won’t be the same as mine, but perhaps you recognise similar signposts and find the landscape familiar.
NZCCM National Co-ordinator | Rev Rosie Dell
Rev Rosie Dell is a seasoned meditator who is committed to serving our growing community. She is a spiritual director and Anglican priest, currently ministering as Vicar at Whangamata Anglican Church.
She has been involved with NZCCM for many years, establishing groups and attending WCCM training in Penang and Brisbane.