Why do we meditate?

This is the opening talk of the John Main Seminar 2015 which took place in New Zealand. Laurence Freman here explores why we meditate in itself and how we understand meditation as a spiritual path in this day and age. At some point in life, we realise that we are not just finding time for a spiritual journey because that is just what life itself is. We seek to make sense of the hardships we suffer and to understand the meaning of happiness. Meditation then becomes the most important direction-giver and source of personal stability. Inner and outer become harmonised. Relationships are changed and values are clarified. We see that the psychological and physical benefits of meditation point to deeper spiritual fruits. Laurence Freeman OSB explores these connections and suggests how they transform our lives.