SINGAPORE (UCAN) -- "There is nothing worse than to say on your deathbed, 'I've lived a meaningless life,'" a British monk told about 40 young people during a day of recollection.

"If life does not seem to have a meaning for you, then all forms of suffering would seem meaningless," Father Laurence Freeman, director of the London-based World Community for Christian Meditation (WCCM), said at the Jan. 27 event. "Therefore, when life does produce suffering, we will not be able to handle it, and seek to escape from it through addictions."

The Benedictine monk of the Olivetan Congregation, who has popularized Christian meditation around the world, conducting the recollection titled What Is My Purpose In Life? at St. Patrick's School. Most of those present, aged 17-35, were Catholics.

A youth meditation group that is part of the local WCCM chapter organized the event. The group was established last year at the Church of the Holy Family.

During the recollection, Father Freeman explained how meditation can lead one to a greater sense of purpose. It "leads us into a journey of harmony with ourselves and with God," he elaborated.

Father Freeman then guided the group through a 15-minute meditation session. He invited participants to sit up straight, place their hands on their laps and close their eyes. He then asked them to focus on their breathing and mentally repeat a simple religious phrase.

Father Freeman recommended reciting "Maranatha," which means "Come, Lord" in Aramaic. Scholars believe this language was Jesus' mother tongue.

Later in the day, he led participants in meditating as they walked slowly in a large circle on a field. Some of the young people shared later that they found this method of meditation "refreshing."

Besides finding meaning in harmony between oneself and God, Father Freeman said, a meditator also can experience "the energy of love being poured into your own being by the transcendent God."

During the recollection, participants also engaged in small-group discussions on the theme. Many said they gained much from the recollection.

Operations manager Gary Ng, 26, told UCA News: "I think the theme for today is very appropriate for young people, because in the context of our society, we find that we want to be 'somebody.' The most important thing is that God loves us for who we are, not who we want to be."

Ng, who has been practicing meditation for the past nine months, said the practice has helped him discover "a simple kind of joy" and "balance" in his life.

Sales manager Eliza Tan, 28, admitted she had not expected much. "I never thought that I would be in the least bit interested in meditation," she told UCA News. "This was my first time trying meditation. Surprisingly, I found it simple."

At the end of the recollection, those interested in practicing meditation regularly were invited to join one of the existing WCCM communities in Singapore.

The local chapter of the worldwide community has 28 meditation groups that meet weekly in 18 churches, hospitals, prisons and homes.

A typical session lasts about an hour, beginning with group members listening to a recorded talk, usually on a CD, followed by 20-30 minutes of meditation and then 10-15 minutes of discussion on the talk.

WCCM was formed in 1991 and continues the work of the late British Benedictine Father John Main, who strove to restore the contemplative dimension of Christian faith in the life of the Church.

The WCCM website is at (www.wccm.org). Youths and young adults interested in meditation can also visit a special website for them at (www.thespiritualsolution.com).

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(Accompanying photos available at here)