Marginal Christian Spirituality: An Example from a Dutch Meditation Group

Spirituality is one of the forms of religion that seems to thrive in secularised Western societies. It has become an umbrella term for a variety of experience-oriented religious practices in Western societies. The popularity of spirituality is clearly visible within Christian settings, both inside and outside churches. This paper explores the nature of ‘marginal’ Christian spirituality, i.e. Christian spirituality outside the churches, through a case study of a meditation group in a Dutch spiritual centre founded by Jesuits. It will be shown how meditation as a free experiential space stimulates the diversity of individual meanings, both traditional and alternative. Hence, meditation in this case is a method which affirms religious individuality.

Exercise

I am the stream

And I flow beyond myself

I am the river

And I pour myself into the sea

I am the sea

And I evaporate into nothing

I am the cloud

And I am losing my hold

In rain and snow

My form fragments

Who can love me

When I appear and disappear

Again and again

You are water, says the water

Water, my child, you are me

Whether ice or fog

You are me

Love yourself, then you love me

And everywhere you are safe in me.

(Visser 1)1 1.?Unless stated otherwise, all translations are by the author. View all notes