7 min
Talk
Recognising the Gardener with Laurence Freeman on WCCM+
Freeman reflects on the resurrection scene in which Mary Magdalene mistakes Jesus for the gardener.
About the teacher
Laurence Freeman
Laurence Freeman is a Benedictine monk of the Congregation of Monte Oliveto Maggiore who studied English literature at Oxford before working in journalism, banking and at the United Nations. In 1975 he joined the Irish Benedictine monk John Main at Ealing Abbey in London to help establish the first Christian meditation centre, and became Main's successor as spiritual guide after Main's death in 1982; his teaching centers on the practice of a single mantra ("maranatha") said silently twice daily.
As Director of WCCM, present in over 100 countries, Freeman is based at Bonnevaux, the community's international centre near Poitiers, France, which he has led since 2018. He continues to lead retreats and seminars around the world.
“Faithfulness means that you keep returning to the word whenever you get distracted. And believe me, distractions will come — thoughts, emotions, memories, plans for the future.”Laurence Freeman
Upcoming events
Meet Laurence Freeman in person.
Talks, day programmes and retreats currently listed in the Paths Are Many calendar.
Talks & videos
Watch before you attend.
Short introductions and longer conversations, to hear this teacher in their own words.
8 min
Talk
Meditation & Health with Fr Laurence Freeman OSB for WCCM+
A short talk on the relationship between contemplative practice and physical and mental health.
10 min
Talk
The Inner Room with Laurence Freeman OSB on WCCM+
Freeman takes the gospel image of the inner room as a description of what happens in silent prayer.
68 min
Talk
Writing the Sacred with Laurence Freeman on WCCM+
An hour-long WCCM+ session in which Laurence Freeman discusses writing as a contemplative discipline.
Listen
Recordings from Laurence Freeman.
Talks, guided meditations and podcast conversations, playing from the platform this teacher publishes them on.
Laurence FreemanChristian mysticism
A Apple Podcasts
Strengthening the Muscle of Attention with Fr Laurence Freeman
Laurence Freeman speaks about attention as something that can be trained through meditation and about how that capacity relates to love.
From the podcast WCCM Audio
Listen on Apple PodcastsLaurence FreemanChristian mysticism
A Apple Podcasts
The Iceberg of Consciousness with Fr Laurence Freeman on WCCM+
A talk on the unconscious layers of the mind and what happens to them in the silence of Christian meditation.
From the podcast WCCM Audio
Listen on Apple PodcastsLaurence FreemanChristian mysticism
A Apple Podcasts
A Hunger for Depth and Meaning with Laurence Freeman OSB
Freeman reflects on the search for depth and meaning that brings people to contemplative practice.
From the podcast WCCM Audio
Listen on Apple PodcastsLaurence FreemanChristian mysticism
A Apple Podcasts
A life anchored by meditation: Laurence Freeman in conversation with Ray Dalio
Laurence Freeman and investor Ray Dalio discuss what a daily meditation practice has meant across their working lives.
From the podcast WCCM Audio
Listen on Apple PodcastsPath
The wider context.
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Prayer & contemplation
Christian mysticism
Silence, prayer and direct experience within the mystical traditions of Christianity.
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