New religion uses chants and meditation for worship
May 20, 1996
Web posted at: 6:45 a.m. EDTFrom Correspondent Susan Reed
SAN FRANCISCO, California (CNN) -- A hunger for spirituality is leading people to a new type of worship that focuses on chanting and meditation.
Taize, named for a small old village in France where it got its start from the ashes of World War II, has taken root in the San Francisco Bay area and is quickly growing in popularity.
"There seems to be a hunger for this kind of spirituality," says Sister Suzanne Toolan, who offers Taize services at the Mercy Center, a Catholic church where hundreds come to participate in Taize services each month.
"Without a doubt, there's more Taize going on in the Bay area of San Francisco than any place in the United States," Toolan says.
Taize is a highly personal form of worship, with a strong sense of community. In a darkened church, incense burns and chants are sung.
"You repeat it over and over again and it becomes more and more relaxing," says Casey Barton. "And you go from very... whatever your state of consciousness is... to a much more relaxed state of consciousness."
"It's definitely a sense of getting in touch with God and who you are and having time to really reflect on it," says Adrienne Barton.
Ten minutes of the service are dedicated to silent meditation. Then, people bring up special concerns for prayers. After more chanting, people are encouraged to lay their burdens on the cross.
For many, Taize complements traditional Sunday services.
"The Sunday sermons are much more cerebral," explains Diana Howard. "You're listening to the sermon and it's more a teaching kind of thing...which is Christ .. his teachings, and this is a more meditative thing...getting in touch with your own spirituality."
No one knows exactly how many people in the United States participate in Taize services. But those who do, say the point is not to be another organized religion, but rather one that puts individuals in closer touch with God.
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