BOBBY GOES TO CHURCH IN CHICAGO

Where he has memorable meetings with a meditating Catholic priest and a meditating Methodist minister

I went to church in Chicago last week—two churches actually—to interview two highly respected Christian leaders, each of whom have been practicing Transcendental Meditation for over 30 years. (The interviews will be posted here soon.)

I was raised in the Jewish faith and have experienced how my meditation practice over the past 40 years has enriched my understanding of my own religious tradition.

So I was eager to hear what these two men of the cloth would say about their practice.

Each man was very gracious, setting set aside almost two hours to talk. The time flew by, and I left feeling deeply moved and inspired by the significance of what they had to say. Not surprisingly, that feeling has stayed with me, now several days later.

Both men spoke in glowing terms about their own longtime TM practice, which they emphasized (a) is not religious in nature, (b) does not conflict with their religion, and (c) only enriches their Christian faith. They said they meditate before their morning daily prayers and Scriptural readings because it settles mind, body, and heart—and makes their spiritual life more meaningful and fulfilling.

Here are a few photos from the interviews …

Father Len has been a Roman Catholic priest in the Archdiocese of Chicago for 42 years—and a TM meditator for 36 years. "TM gives me direct access to that great field of energy that is deep within me—and deep within everyone—and brings me closer to the interiority of my spiritual life."

I enjoyed being in the presence of this wise, energetic, deeply compassionate man.

Reverend Jonathan is a longtime Methodist minister in the Chicago area. He learned TM as a high school science teacher in 1975 at the suggestion of a fellow teacher who meditated. Rev. Jonathan said that his deep experiences of transcendence awoke in him the desire to become a minister, and follow in the footsteps of his father, who was a minister in the Dutch Reform Church.

Rev. Jonathan loves sports (I do, too) and has a quick wit, a contagious passion for his work, and deep scriptural insights into how meditation illuminates Christian tenets...

Conclusion: The whole experience with both Father Len and Reverend Jonathan was completely amazing. I am still processing it all…

I will say more when the videos of the interviews get posted. Until then, thanks for listening,

Bobby

P.S. And yes, in case you were wondering: We plan to interview Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, and Buddhist religious leaders who meditate, as well. There are lots!

P.P.S. A big thanks to the DLF.TV video crew (Sam Lieb, Amine Kouider, and Sam Johnson) for organizing this video production with, like, zero advance notice.

*Check out the new Transcendental Meditation Blog for more recent interviews including a video of Father Len Dubi speaking about Christianity and Transcendental Meditation.

Also, if you haven’t already seen it, Dr. Norman Rosenthal has written a wonderful “Transcendence” book which is well worth reading.