Our Mission
The John Main Center offers a contemplative sacred space in the heart of the Georgetown University campus. Through regular meditation sessions and special events, offered in a spirit of friendship and openness to all, the John Main Center shares the gift of the contemplative path with the Georgetown Community and beyond.
Contemplatives in Action Our Response to Racism and Racial Injustice
Now a full and active component of Campus Ministry, the John Main Center seeks to become more deeply engaged in the spiritual and intellectual life of Georgetown—offering a comprehensive, campus-wide approach to the teaching and practice of meditation that is consistent with its Jesuit identity and Ignatian values.
In light of the signs of these unprecedented times and in order to uphold the Jesuit value of being "Contemplatives in Action", the JMC wants to share Campus Ministry's Response to Racism and Racial Injustice.
For a New Beginning
In out-of-the-way places of the heart,
Where your thoughts never think to wander,
This beginning has been quietly forming,
Waiting until you were ready to emerge.
John O'Donohue
To Bless the Space Between Us: A Book of Blessings
Where is the JMC?
The JMC is located in Anne Marie Becraft Hall on the Main Campus near Dahlgren Quad across from New South at the corner of Old North Way and Library Walk.
We warmly welcome you all to enter into this present moment together in this new way of proceeding.
The door is open for you... Maranatha!
Sending you Peace in it all,
Lisa and the JMC Leadership Teams
New JMC Leadership Team 2022-2023
with JMC Alumni Leaders
JMC 12:30pm 2020-2022
Virtual Meditation
|
Spring Semester Meditation Sessions
January - April 2024
For Upcoming JMC Offerings: jmc.georgetown.edu or @johnmaincenter
For Zoom Links Contact the JMC at meditationcenter@georgetown.edu
Good Morning Meditation
Monday - Wednesday
9:00 - 9:30 am
Come to the JMC
Anne Marie Becraft Hall
Midday Meditation
VIRTUAL
Monday - Friday
12:30 - 1:00 p.m.
Request Zoom
IN-PERSON
Tuesday
12:30 - 1:00 p.m.
HYBRID
Thursday
12:30 - 1:00 p.m.
Request Zoom
Lectio Divina
Wednesday
7:00 - 7:30 p.m.
Anne Marie Becraft Hall
Monday & Wednesday
8:00-8:30 p.m.
Tuesday
9:00-9:30 p.m.
Walk-Ins Welcome for Personal Meditation/Contemplation
(All Hoyas Welcome)
Monday - Friday
7:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.
photo by Pedro Ramos
Special Meditations
|
Meet our JMC Fellow for Christian Contemplation 2023-2024
Learning to Work Intentionally for Others Through Silence
by Harper Cartwright
Jet lag hit me in full force the second we arrived at the World Community for Christian Meditation (WCCM) headquarters at Bonnevaux in Marçay, France. I slept through evening prayer and morning prayer the next day, so I first met the residents of the abbey over breakfast—in complete silence. As I grumbled about in my journal entry from that day, “My first introduction to the community was, of course, silent breakfast, where I could not introduce myself or explain my presence to those gathered. My anxiety was through the roof.” As people wandered into the space, however, this meal turned into one of the most touching and memorable moments of the trip.
When meditators walk through the door of the meditation center, I greet them with words of welcome, questions about their day, and introductions. In silence, how can you welcome someone without words? The people at Bonnevaux managed this beautifully. Smiles and nods served as a greeting. I was waved over to the bread box and the tea kettle, and I watched and followed along as someone grabbed a mug, showing me how to proceed. They led by example, and I followed, grateful. No one questioned who I was, or why I was there, or even seemed surprised, as I had feared. They made room for me at the table and gave me space to eat as though it were the most normal thing in the world. Thanks to them, I sat, ate my bread, drank my tea, and settled into the silence, completely at ease.
As leaders at the John Main Center (JMC), we strive to be the tenzo, the porter or host who prepares the space and caters to the needs of all who enter. Tenzo is a role in Buddhist monasteries that involves cooking for other monks, but also emphasizes helping other monks along their journeys–working intentionally for others. In the Jesuit value of “people for others,” when we host, we are dedicating ourselves to facilitating the practice of all who join us. Our role is simply to give ourselves to those who enter.
It is familiar and straightforward to welcome a guest verbally. What if I had to welcome them to the JMC in silence? What other ways could I perform the role of host that might go beyond words? For me, it’s things such as projecting a sense of calm for my guests even when I may be stressed or creating flyers to welcome more meditators to the center. It’s remembering what my regulars tell me about their lives. It’s building up my knowledge and practice so that I can share what I learn with others. It’s hosting an LGBTQ+ meditation every semester. It’s a wave across campus to someone who attended a session once. Welcoming others to the JMC goes far beyond and exists on many more levels than simply my constant refrain of “Welcome to the 9 pm session!” Though this is fundamental to our work as student hosts, it took the absence of language that morning at Bonnevaux for me to truly appreciate it.
It was these little things, gestures that went beyond a simple welcome that made me feel at home at the John Main Center three years ago. My goal ever since has been to reflect that back again and make a space for others that is as beautiful and inviting as it has been for me.
Christ has no body now but yours,
No hands, no feet on earth but yours,
Yours are the eyes with which he looks
with compassion on this world.
Christ has no body now on earth but yours.
—St. Teresa of Ávila
Harper Cartwright (S’24), is the Christian Contemplative Fellow at the John Main Center at Georgetown University for the 2023-2024 year. The fellowship is made possible by a grant from Trust for the Meditation Process.
|
WCCM Meditation Offerings
Sunday Meditation
with Dr. Gene Bebeau
7:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Request Zoom Link
Thursday Meditation
with Prof. Dennis McAuliffe
6:15 - 7:15 p.m.
Request Zoom Link
|
Remembering the Remarkable Legacy of Anne Marie Becraft
Our JMC Leaders Celebrate Anne Marie Becraft!
https://www.instagram.com/
@johnmaincenter
|
To get text updates of our regular activities, subscribe to our Reminders
"For three years, I resisted going into John Main Center because the idea of meditating and being in silence for more than 2 minutes was the most daunting of concepts. However, my curiosity got antsy and propelled me to try what the media crowned the newest wellness fad– meditation. Over the course of my senior year, I not only was able to discover and deepen my meditation practice but I also became part of such a special community. The center pulls together people from all corners of campus and the world to come together with the common interest of meditation. A simple and profound connection proved to build a foundation for a community so welcoming and loving. So, while it once used to be just that tiny building across from New South, now the John Main Center serves as both an oasis and a home. "Katherine Altman C'19
"The John Main Center has been instrumental for the wholeness of my Georgetown experience. Not only has it become a space of peace and calm but also it has helped me grow spiritually and emotionally. I feel like having the Meditation Center on campus can be a great addition to any student -- whatever it is the faith tradition that he or she comes from. Being part of the JMC is an opportunity to each day enhance our lives personally, spiritually, physically, and academically."Gabriel Donato Gonçalves C'19
Partners
We are grateful for the support of the following:
