Centering prayer is a method of silent prayer that prepares us to receive the gift of contemplative prayer, prayer in which we experience gods presence within us, closer than breathing, closer than thinking, closer than consciousness itself. It is drawn from the christian contemplative tradition and has roots in the bible. Centering prayer description and link to contemplative outreach website. Centring prayer or mantra choose a prayer word or phrase that is. In a few short years it has spread all over the world. Josephs abbey in massachusetts and became a lay groundswell, it has certainly implanted itself deeply and one hopes perma. Renewing an ancient christian prayer form pennington, basil on. Centering prayer as a healing response to everyday stress.
This method of prayer is both a relationship with god and a discipline to foster that relationship. What contemplative prayer tells you is not so much your idea of god but it gives god a chance to introduce himself to you as he really is. Centering prayer meditation is neither new nor an invention. Centering prayer free online support groups we welcome you as christ four free centering prayer emailbased groups are available for those interested in learning centering prayer and for those interested in formation in the christian contemplative journey as taught by fr. Centering prayer, also known as contemplative prayer and listening prayer, is the practice of relaxing, emptying the mind, and letting ones self find the presence of god within. It was agreed at that meeting to form a centering prayer national executive to facilitate communication among the various states in australia. Centering prayer is grounded in relationship with god, through christ, and is. Contemplative outreach centering prayer contemplation. Centering prayer and attention of the heart cynthia bourgeault i n the thirty years now since centering prayer first moved beyond the walls of st. Basil penningtons article, centering prayer, taken from the contemplative prayer online magazine. Centering prayer is a modernized prayer method based on the intuitive prayer rooted in lectio divina. This workshop teaches the method of lectio divina as a way to pray the sacred scriptures. A centering prayer is a simple way of praying in which breath and a prayer word keep attention focused on gods presence.
It consists of responding to the spirit of christ by consenting to. It is an attempt to present the teaching of earlier times in an updated form. The list members are committed to the renewal of the contemplative dimension of the gospel through the teachings and practice of centering prayer and lectio divina. Centering prayer network australia cpna exists to communicate with, and support, one another in the practice of centering prayer. More specifically, in our culture it is defined by what we achieve. This network, also known as centering prayer australia and contemplative outreach australia was inaugurated at the janssen spirituality centre following a national retreat in boronia victoria in march 2009. We live in a world where our worth is defined by what we do. Jim martin, author of my life with the saints, introduces centering prayer. Centering prayer is basically loving attention to god dwelling within us. It is a process that transforms us and brings inner peace into our lives. This is part of a series on prayer that also includes segments on ignatian contemplation and centering prayer. The monthlong virtual class attracted participants from thailand, panama, singapore, canada, south africa, uk, ireland, australia, new zealand. Centering prayer differs from christian prayer in that the intent of the technique is to bring the practitioner to the center of his own being.
Weve seen a rising interest in spirituality however loosely defined in recent years, without the trappings of formal religion. It helps us empty inner clutter and chatter to create a space for being with god. It tends to build communities of faith and bond the members together in mutual friendship and love. Thomas keating, founder of the centering prayer method, for nearly 25 years and is the author of the acclaimed book.
The carmelite tradition and centering prayer christian meditation. The workshop presents an ancient christian tradition of prayer that nourishes and deepens ones relationship with god. Centering prayer is a practice that invites us to be present to god as god is present to us. Centering prayer network australia cpna is an interdenominational christian prayer network in the christian contemplative tradition.
People want to feel spiritual without being religious, and this is exactly what mindfulness has. Centering prayer is essentially a form of selfhypnosis. Centering prayer is not meant to replace other kinds of prayer. Centering prayer as an alternative to mindfulnessbased. The focus of centering prayer is the deepening of our relationship with the living christ. Josephs abbey, a trappist monastery in spencer, massachusetts.
A oneyear daily companion for going deeper into the love of god. This technique, known as centering prayer cp, has been in vogue since the 1970s. It arises from the ladder of prayer from discursive to contemplative prayer known and experienced by all in a life of prayer. Episcopal priest and writer cynthia bourgeault has worked closely with fr. Apr 24, 2017 episcopal priest and writer cynthia bourgeault has worked closely with fr. Thomas keating, a cistercian priest, monk, and abbot in colorado, is the founder of the centering prayer movement. The seven stages of centering prayer contemplative outreach.
The carmelite tradition and centering prayer christian. The following quotes are taken from the above online magazine and illustrate the typical errors that have entered. Anonymous, maniac, maluniu, flickety see all centering prayer is a method of prayer, which prepares us to receive the gift of gods presence, traditionally called contemplative prayer. A centering prayer is an initial step of a contemplative prayer. The prayer of consent, a brochure by thomas keating available at this brochure can be a helpful resource for you in practicing centering prayer, but is written from a catholic perspective with language and ideas that are.
Centering prayer meets the vatican the vaticans congregation for the doctrine of the faith warned about the dangers of blending christian prayer and. But the unitive experience of contemplative prayer, or a period of heart to heart connection with the divine, is always a grace, not something we can bring about through our own efforts. Centering prayer meets the vatican the vaticans congregation for the doctrine of the faith warned about the dangers of blending christian prayer and eastern methods of meditation e. Lectio divina workshop links within the text refer to the main site. Centering prayer is popping up within the emerging church movement. Aug 04, 2014 centering prayer is not the absence of thought, but rather the intentional letting go of thoughts, which dominate our conscious experience. Basil pennington took up the challenge, and centering prayer is the result.
Centering prayer is a contemporary name for the practice that jesus. John main osb 19261982 believed that the contemplative experience creates community. Centering prayer is a method of prayer, which prepares us to receive the gift of gods presence, traditionally called contemplative prayer. Centering prayer catholic meditation or occult meditation.
It is a movement beyond conversation with christ to communion. The centering prayer network australia newsletter is produced quarterly. In the centering prayer, the practitioner focuses on a word and repeats that word over and over for the duration of the exercise. This is the unfortunate conviction that we bring with us. Centering prayer is a silent prayer practice that can move you toward a profound relationship with the spirit of god within. Thus, the purpose of this article is to present centering prayer, a form of christian meditation that is rooted in catholic mysticism, as an alternative treatment for. Genuine prayer is based on recognising the origin of all that exists, and opening ourselves to it.
Centering prayer is a method of meditation used by christians placing a strong emphasis on interior silence. The modern centering prayer movement in christianity can be traced to several books published by three trappist monks of st. The source of centering prayer, as in all methods leading to contemplative prayer, is the indwelling trinity. Centering prayer and inner awakening is a complete guidebook for all who wish to know the practice of centering prayer. The centering prayer network victoria cpnv shares the same vision as contemplative outreach. Cynthia bourgeault goes further than offering an introduction, however. It is a spiritual network of individuals and small faith communities across australia. Contemplative outreach centering prayer contemplation meditation. Centering prayer network australia cpna is the official website, promoter and representative for centering prayer in australia. Centering prayer network australia cpna exists to communicate with, and support, fellow centering prayer meditators. Pdf centering prayer is a contemplative practice pioneered by thomas keating. It is at the same time a rela tion ship with god a nd a discipline to foster that relationship.
There are centering prayers leaders in most australian states and territories. Aug 31, 2017 strictly speaking centering prayer is a method of intention and consent to the divine presence, which is always already knocking at the door. Beginners questions about contemplative meditation. Centering prayer is a method designed to facilitate the development of contemplative prayer by preparing our faculties to receive this gift. All difficulties in prayer can be traced to one cause. It is a method of silent prayer that prepares us to receive the gift of contemplative prayer, prayer in which we experience the divines immanent presence with us.
It has its roots in the prayer tradition of the church fathers and desert fathers and incorporates the prayer techniques of the eastern church. In centering prayer one moves beyond words and images to a form of interior prayer beyond thoughts however noble or pious and the senses. Guidelines for centering prayerthomas keating ocso i centering prayer guidelines transript of talk y thomas keating oso and so lets look at the guidelines from that perspetive. This same nonverbal love that human beings experience is the core of the prayer of the heart or centering prayer. These sessions will present a brief background into the centering prayer practice, an explanation of the prayer process and an experience of prayer. Buy cynthia bourgeault ebooks to read online or download in pdf or epub on your pc, tablet or mobile device. We offer programs and support for those who want to deepen their relationship with god through the practice of centering prayer. Centering prayer is a contemporary name given to an ancient practice of meditation within the christian tradition.
Strictly speaking centering prayer is a method of intention and consent to the divine presence, which is always already knocking at the door. Centering prayer facilitates the movement from more active modes of prayer verbal, mental, or affective prayer into a receptive prayer of resting in god. Josephs abbey in spencer, massachusetts in the 1970s. Centering prayer is a receptive method of silent prayer that prepares us to receive the gift of contemplative prayer, prayer in which we experience gods presence within us, closer than breathing, closer than. Quotes and certain ways of articulating things are borrowed from the method of centering prayer. It makes use of a mantra, a word repeated over and over to focus the mind while striving by ones will to go deep within oneself. A suppor t grou p pr aying and shar ing toge ther once a week h elps maint ain ones commitmen t to the pra yer. It is drawn from the christian contemplative tradition. His genius was to recover and to represent a way into this experience for ordinary people from within the christian contemplative tradition. It emphasizes prayer as a personal relationship with god. In this talk were emphasising the method, and so you ould easily get stu k on well, how to do the method just right. Meditative prayer forms may lead naturally into contemplative prayer.
Centering prayer is an opening, a response, a putting aside of all the debris that stands in the way of our being totally present to the present lord, so that he can be present to us. Pdf a phenomenological investigation of centering prayer using. Centering prayer meets the vatican catholic culture. Practitioners of centering prayer are known for the great enthusiasm they bring to the practice of this ancient discipline. Spiritual practice centering prayer community of christ. I am so grateful to those of you who send me your own material to post. Centering prayer free online support groups contemplative. In 2009, a small group of meditators, who were interested in the contemplative life came together in melbourne for a national retreat and meeting. Extending the effects of centering prayer into daily life 1. Though not a wellknown practice, breath prayer is shaped by the action most essential to our lives.
The spiritus centering prayer list which follows the teachings of father thomas keating, ocso, is an unmoderated ecumenical email list grounded in the christian contemplative heritage. In the teaching of the desert monks on pure prayer he found the practice of the mantra. Either sitting on a chair with your feet rooted to the floor or sitting crosslegged directly on the floor, come to a comfortable and rooted position. Perceiving nondual awareness through the christian contemplative method called centering prayeran indepth introduction to theory and practice by the.
The prayer of consent, a brochure by thomas keating available at this brochure can be a helpful resource for you in practicing centering prayer, but is written from a catholic perspective with language and ideas that are not always familiar to evangelicals. At the same time, it is a discipline to foster and serve this relationship by a. To contact a centering prayer leader near you, click on read more centering prayer newsletters. It is a way of praying that opens the door to the divine indwellingthe ground of our being. A oneyear daily companion for going deeper into the love of god peter traben haas on. Read scriptures regularly and study open mind, open heart. Co international coordinator attended the first ever asiaaustralia co. There he is, supposedly, to experience the presence of the god who indwells him. Both of these are part of the tradition of lectio divina, a form of christian meditation.
Centering prayer is not a trick to reduce stress or reach some other selfhelp goal. Centering prayer is a spiritual practice of intentional silence, in which we let go not only of the noise and sounds of the outside world, but seek also to let go of the inner noise of our minds wandering thoughts. Now that weve practiced welcoming prayer, centering prayer, and lectio divina, lets pause in the middle and take a breath, shall we. If you use material from this blog, please be careful to credit the original author and source. It is a laying aside of thoughts, so that the heart can attend immediately to him.
If youre new to meditation, you can start with five minutes, but traditionally. This study was excerpted from a doctor of ministry dissertation on centering prayer as a healing response to everyday stress at a roman catholic parish in silicon valley 2006 completed by the first author and principal investigator, jane ferguson, at pacific school of religion, graduate theological union, berkeley, ca. Father pennington, another teacher of this technique, is called a master of centering prayer on the web site. The carmelite tradition and centering prayer page 50 the carmelite tradition and centering prayer christian meditation introduction. In this paper i propose to interface the carmelite tradition on contemplative prayer and two popular forms of contemplative practice called centering prayer and christian meditation. We constantly strive to prove our worth through our words and actions in a myriad of ways e. It consists of responding to the spirit of christ by consenting to gods presence and action within. And also remember that the principal fruits of centering prayer are experienced in daily life and not during the prayer period. It is a listening prayer in which all thoughts and intentions other than openness to god are set aside.
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