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The Contemplative Life Program Subscriber Comments & Experiences last updated March 15, 2008March 2008Year One - Centering Prayer I am just beginning to feel ready to move onto the second praxis booklet and wanted to write a few lines to tell you how I have got on with the first one, on Centering Prayer. It has been such a wonderful help and support, and I remain deeply grateful for this opportunity to be on the programme. It feels a huge blessing to be part of this community, especially as I am alone quite a lot of the time. Having the literature here, in particular the Daily Reader and the relevant praxis booklet, means that everyday I feel I regularly reconnect with the path and stray less far away now that I have this support and nourishment. Also, I don't feel under any pressure, whether that may be to reach a deadline to complete the course or to do a specified amount of reading or prayer each day....on the contrary, I feel this is aimed entirely at assisting and supporting me in my own journey towards God and I am really touched by that. My health continues to put limitations on what I can do each day, and I can easily feel under pressure to "do the right thing" so the freedom offered on this programme is a great relief, thank you. The quotations and passages in the literature are often deeply inspiring and encouraging too, and I receive so much from the reading that I am doing on the programme. I look forward to the day when I am well enough to read more of the books in the suggested reading lists, but in the meantime this programme is helping me very much indeed. Thank you to all the team who make it possible, thank you for helping me to participate in the programme, and for all the thought and work that has gone in to creating such a beautiful and special programme. - S.C.
January 2008Completed through Year Two and Transformed! I have completed the "Two-Year Contemplative Life Program" officially. I have now "completed" the Praxis studies, but I will never complete the narrow path up the top of the mountain. At the top there is so much to explore and study. The view at the top is out of this world--literally! My prayer life is now amazing and I feel so much better now that I have finally [embraced] contemplative prayer. My life will continue ... but has become much better for me in dealing with my handicaps. I have many more tools to deal with both the mental and physical problems now--"Welcome It!" I will continue to center, do Lectio; The monastic version of Lectio has helped me in the ability to use this tool more effectively. Another thing I have noted is the fact that when I study and read a spiritual book now, I read it like I did your praxis. I find myself doing Lectio while reading Fr. Keating's new 20th Anniversary Edition of "Open Mind, Open Heart", The saying of the Desert Fathers, and Margaret Funk's trilogy on things that matter. I do it by habit without thought about what I'm doing. CLP you have transformed my life! As a Franciscan Associate since 1994, I have become a new person but now the contemplative life is a major and a solid part of my spirituality. I feel even better with my path and mission. I have read and studied most of the "masters" now and feel much better at teaching Contemplative Prayer. I am so grateful to you folks for allowing me to take this program when I have little money to live. I am glad I got some credit to take the last year and completed this course. THANK-YOU VERY MUCH CLP! Someday I hope to repay you two-fold! This economy is constantly increasing prices and hurting us trying to live on disability. We get a cost of living raise every year but Medicare takes it all plus more! Everything has gone up in price except for God! He is priceless! Thank-you very, very, very much CLP, - K.W.K
December 2007On Centering Prayer praxis ... The idea in the Centering Prayer praxis of inviting the Communion of Saints into the prayer draws me in, as I've already discovered that the prayer is not as "individual" as I expected. The inclusion of others was probably my biggest surprise--the experience of sensing other members of the body of Christ as the feelings of separation dissolve (still rare and brief for me....but awesome in the true sense of the word). Thank you for extending the hand of Christ to your sisters and brothers. -J.B.
October 2007Centering Prayer Thank you for this wonderful programme.! At the time when I received it my 18 year old son was in rehab for drugs and I was going through I very trying time. But knowing that I am connected with other practitioners around the world made my time of Centering Prayer so special. I used to practice only once a day, in the morning but since I am doing the programme I find that I cannot wait for evening to come so that I can continue where I left off the morning. Centering Prayer has deepen my prayer life and my relationship with God. Thank you once again for the scholarship you awarded me. With love and blessings to you - M. C., South Africa Welcoming Prayer I have just completed my praxis on the Welcoming Prayer. In our Centering Prayer group, our facilitator often speaks about the welcoming Prayer. I could never understand how I could welcome anything I did not want. Only once I started practicing did I begin to understand that everything comes for my healing and for God's glory! God bless you , always - M. C., South Africa
September 2007Lectio Divina Praxis The word of God, sacred prayer, is relationship through committed presence. The forum Dei, the holy all-knowing faith received, and the response of the discipline of scripture is worship. Listening becomes understanding, the knowable charity of contemplation and healing hope of humanity. The power of virtue seeking God in silence. The practice of Lectio Divina in the monastic tradition calls on community, offering scripture, witnessed unitively, and present as authentic realization of God. I arrive in God through the mediated mysteries of prayer. Thank you through this teaching prayer of communion counseled in the love of God. In Christ, - CS
August 2007I am very glad for your CLP and I meditate every day, not always as expected through the booklets, but ... I have had results which were quite unexpected and I am thankful for these results. When I open a new booklet I often think: My God, what are they now proposing ? This is a very American way to think and act and does not respond to my European way of thinking. But after a while I go deeper and understand something very unexpected and often very deep. Thank you. I pray for you. May your work grow. - G. S. J. (82 year old practitioner)
July 2007I am reviewing the praxis booklets from years 1 and 2 and appreciate your encouragement to do so. I am finding that they speak to me at deeper levels each time I approach them. I also have found them to be one of my most valued resources in leading contemplatively oriented prayer groups and retreats. Thank you all for your gifts of Wisdom, Love and Spirit. - C. C.
June 2007... I do find the program to be a very special one which has had an enormous impact on my life. I am very thankful that I stumbled upon your website and have made the centering prayer practice a part of my everyday routine. The CLP has helped me overcome many obstacles and taught me different ways to pray and to listen. THANK YOU !!!!!!!!! - D.L.
Completion of the first 40 days [of the Centering Prayer praxis booklet] Centering Prayer is a re-start for me. During this time I have noticed how I unconsciously think ahead as to when I will practice my 2nd centering prayer time. Previously I was unable to commit to a twice a day practice. I have begun my 2nd 40 days with Welcoming Prayer and have printed a copy of Cherry Haisten's "The Practice of Welcoming Prayer." - G.B.
On reviewing Year One and Two booklets again
and again ... United in Love and Prayer,
Centering Prayer Praxis Gratefully to God, all in all, and in faith with a centering prayer group, I am appreciative of this discipline and practice. I pray the purification of words into the understanding and wisdom of God. I embrace the kenosis of "I", returning to the silence of being. The "is" of presence and love. The hope through God of prayer's responsive assent to the truth, Christological and Trinitarian. The eternal sanctification of trust. Thank you Contemplative Outreach for your prayer manifested in the CLP Centering Prayer 40-day practice. - C.S.
May 2007On the Discernment praxis ... Discernment has become much more than a decision-making strategy. It has become a process of being flooded with God’s love and mercy and seeking to find the path of love. Through the Lectio with I Corinthians 13, I have come to know about Corinth, a teeming metropolis with great ethnic and religious diversity and much conflict. As Paul writes to a squabbling church of the first century, so he writes to us—love is more than even giving one’s body to be burned, speaking eloquently, having spiritual gifts, showing faith so great as to move mountains. Love bears all things (suffers for redemption), believes all things (sees the underlying harmony in the midst of violence and chaos), hopes all things (knows that brokenness can yield new creations), endures all things (turns toward the morning in the darkest midnight), and lasts forever (keeps the door always open). The welcoming prayer has been instrumental in allowing me a way to face my unloving parts (pride, arrogance, boasting) and, in grace, to begin to let them go. The Mystery of Christ and Grace and Addiction provided great insights into the liturgy, the cosmic dimensions of God’s love, as well as understanding of addictions and their role in all our lives. So, with loving the longing, I have found some clarity in my life decisions (rightsizing and moving to a new city). But more than that, I know now what is stated in our module four booklet: “It (discernment) doesn’t bring certitude in a decision. It brings about a deeper trust in the love of God and a willingness to surrender more completely to God’s Spirit.”… through love, grace, and mercy that is freely given. - H.N.C.
April 2007CLP--- the first 40 days I’ve just completed the first 40 days of the CLP and want to thank you for this wonderful program. Each morning as I begin my day with reading and the practice of Centering Prayer, I am blessed during the day to find the Lord has strengthened me from within to meet the challenges that come. This is a little poem I wrote during one of my morning devotion times: Thunder... - C WB
March 2007Active Prayer The vast human geography of intersecting and intertwining pathways is like the labyrinth-like growth of the fruticose lichens which entangle and interweave as fungal and algal cells divide or spores emerge from the acodecia. The green of the life-producing algal cells and spores is like the breath of God in the active prayer, permeating each part of the human being, bringing love and grace to each fiber. For me, this Active Prayer module has been a revelation of the grace of God as the prayer has become more and more infused within me. In the context of centering prayer, welcoming prayer, and lectio reading, the active prayer has become a river of compassion entering my heart and soul. I know that this will be a lifetime process in which my prayer phrase will become more and more a part of my very breath. Background reading from the Philokalia and the History of the Orthodox Church provided a useful context. I had previously read about the Russian hermit who sought to prayer without ceasing. I also responded to the descriptions of the Orthodox Church in Russia when I was in Russia just as communism was falling, I attended a service on Victory Day (commemorating the end of World War II) and stood with Russians as tears flowed down their faces and the bells rang and it was as if heaven and earth met in the angelic liturgy. This is the merging of heaven and earth that happens, I believe, in the Active Prayer. - H.C.
February 2007Simplicity: I wanted to share how much I've appreciated the article on breath in the Simplicity praxis. I have been doing it ever since I read it. In the mornings when I walk and the stars are still shining I look up into the sky and do the breathing. In the native American tradition they pray to the four corners of the earth: N. S. E. W. They also pray in that manner to open and close Sacred Space. I thought that was a good idea to incorporate once in a while when I do the breathing. I have stayed on that page for a long time, because I really want it to be a part of me. Also I like "drop the story..." To me that is so important when one is struggling with one thing or another in one's thoughts. - M.C.
January 2007I have learned a lot. I also was able to live the program. Silence Solitude and Service. I do not own a television. And I love the stillness in my apartment. Just me and God. I live in joy every day. I also work in a Senior Center so I get to help people every day. My life is sooo wonderful. I live in a state of Gratitude and Grace. Which is a very , very wonderful Life. The best Life I ever Lived. And I want to thank you for that. - L.S.
Here it is, 2007, and I have just finished my work with the Spirituality of Money module [as a 2006 subscriber] . I am definitely not on the usual schedule. The whole CLP program has been and continues to be a complete life transformation. Thank you. Here is the reflection..... Ecology Like the life forces distributed through plant flows and animal blood, so exchange mediums are the “life” force of human interactions. Focusing more on the yang competitive and scarcity system rather than many ying cooperative systems (alternative currencies like Ithaca dollars, Bali system, Japan’s care system), we are caught in an imbalanced human ecological exchange system. As a way to rebalance this system, study of an individual’s connections to exchange (money) is now necessary. This is what happened to me in the Spirituality of Money module of the Contemplative Life Program. Through in-depth analyses of current flows of my time and money, many specifics became visible: my parent’s frugality now being reflected in my turn towards right-sizing and simplicity; my time, even in retirement, allocated so necessarily to existence tasks (sleeping, eating, errands, communicating in a complex world, household tasks); my cash flow and money assets caught up in insurance (health, long term care, life) and charitable contributions. Spirituality of Money: An Ecological Perspective For me, connections to environment means allocation of time to research green urbanism, participation in an environmental book club, development of Science for Seniors, transportation through bus and walking, observation (deep) of nature and place. Connection to community means alternative giving at Christmas time, intending God’s love in “existence” tasks and in all exchange transactions, reallocating investments to sustainable and local funds, spending time with family and senior communities, discerning gifts of giving and receiving so that no one is in a power position. Connections to God means discernment of physical, psychological, and spiritual needs (as distinguished from wants) through centering, welcoming, and active prayers; abundance living in love and generosity, silence and solitude alone and with others to surrender the false self to God’s mercy and grace. Coming at a time when we had just downsized and moved to a Senior Community in a new city, this module was much needed. Helping to discern a solid bedrock for my “new life” I am very grateful for the analyses and spiritual practices presented. They have helped me create a new understanding of the spiritual flow of exchanges (money) in the ecological context of environment, community, and God. - H.C. December 2006Welcome Prayer praxis I just finished the 40-day Welcome Prayer praxis. Succinctly:
it has changed my life. I do not have to elaborate for those of us who practice
"Welcoming." One simple example of how this practice helped me
recently: I lost about two-hours worth of work I had been doing on the computer
for my mother. I was not sure I could duplicate it and knew for sure that I
could not before an evening that I had planned with friends. I put my head down
on the desk and almost cried, thinking "How can I ever pull myself together
to enjoy the evening?" Then, thanks be to God, I remembered to
"Welcome" and give up my desire to change the situation. I did not
find the material that had been lost to the bowels of the computer, but I felt
an almost immediate relief and was able to enjoy a most memorable evening with
friends on the Church grounds enjoying a meal and singing around a "bon
fire." I have now completed two of the retreats, the first on
Centering Prayer and this one on the Welcome Prayer. I plan now to review the
two of those and begin the third in the new year. Thank you and thanks be to God
for making them available.
- J.S. September 2006... I was reading the booklet on Contemplative Service, Day 10. I had just written in my journal "I will serve Lord, show me how," when the phone rang. It was my minister telling me that a family of two parents and six children, aged 1 year to 13 years, was to be deported the next day, and that they were seeking sanctuary of a church. Would our church consider giving them protection? The situation was desperate because at 7:30am the next morning, the family would be on a plane to Pakistan. This was a situation that we could easily have turned down, but without a moment of hesitation, we decided that we had to take that spiritual leap and say yes. We had to jump in and do what was right. We could not stand aside and wait for someone else to act, ... and so it is that our church has been blessed and we have gained eight new residents. Over those next few days that have now turned into weeks, our decision to take the family into sanctuary has attracted the support of many churches ... and religions. The community has rallied around us with donations of food, money and clothing, and volunteers to deal with the many needs of the family. The parents have been told that they might be arrested if they were to leave the church, so all educational and health needs are being met by volunteers. ... I ask for humility and compassion and the strength to surrender to whatever the outcome will be. To use Mother Theresa's words, I believe that I can speak for those myself and for members in my church, " We should give thanks to God for what God has done in us and though us. We should thank God for using us to be his Love and Mercy" (from Contemplative Service praxis , p. 95) Please accept my profound thanks and gratitude for the work that you are doing through Contemplative Outreach and through the Contemplative Life Program. My life has changed in ways that I am still trying to understand. - S.M. It is Wednesday, September 20th, 2006
In re-reading this I came to the same conclusion, I am on the road to healing. I have to thank the wonderful people at Contemplative Outreach for giving me a new "life". - J.F.
August 2006I'm deep into year 2 of the CLP and getting more out of these practices than I can say. Being a chronic, do-good do-er, the booklet about Contemplative Service is giving me a lot to chew on. What are my motives, indeed! Too often, I'm trying to pat down what I sense as chaos into what feels like good order. "But who's defining that?" is the question I'm now pondering. Gail's words about interior gentleness becoming the way we offer contemplative service sure put a different spin on the determined, closed energy I'm so familiar with. - A.B.
On the Attention/Intention praxis: The tender nodding trilliums grow alongside the newly emerging ferns against a backdrop of large-leaf asters blanketing the ground. The soil serves as the underlying milieu of interconnection supporting the visible beauty. This is like the holy milieu of God spoken about by St. Therese when she preferred what happened and ran to the loving arms of God. Like the sacramental communion of De Casussade where every moment was lived solely for God's glory. Like the private chapel of the heart where Brother Lawrence experienced the ever present God. Like the holy pilgrimage of Wayne Teasdale who liked as a monk in the desert of the world. Like the leadership of St. Paul who was a servant to all. They were the visible beauty of the underlying web of love of the cosmic and personal God (Father, Son, Holy Spirit). How can God's holy milieu of light, love, and life pierce the sadness and despair of personal and world tragedy and violence? Through the transformation of attention/intention when it becomes part of everything we do, a lifetime process. During this module, I experienced the death of my mother, my cousin, a colleague, and a dear friend of our church. I also am in the midst of a transition and downsizing and newly emerging health concerns. To experience God's love through welcoming each event lived in the full attention of the present moment is a great and profound gift. Thank you for the gift of the Contemplative Life Program. Although my pace is slower than the published modules, the depth and breath of my life has been transformed through the Indwelling Grace of God. - H.C.
July 2006I have enjoyed the Contemplative Life Program because it has enabled me to dig deeper into my spiritual life while living my active lifestyle. I have been centering for four years, and have experienced deep growth through daily centering, our prayer circle, workshops and retreats. However, in the past year I felt I reached a sticking point. I was replaying the same old tapes, and was not able to get past them. I decided that the Contemplative Life Program might help me to get past my obstacle. Each of the first four booklets brought insights and a deepening of my practice. But the Forgiveness booklet, CD and conference call enabled me to get past my blockage. I thought I had forgiven everyone, but opening my heart with Fr. Arico helped me to discover some areas in which further healing was needed. I intend to return to the CD regularly to clean house and continue my progress. I am grateful for the opportunity to experience this growth in spirituality while immersed in my active life. I have seen relationships change as I realize this deep forgiveness. When my loved ones notice a difference in me without my telling them of my practice, I know this is the right path for me right now. Thank you for making the Contemplative Life Program available to us. - M.M.
April 2006I’ve been doing a centering prayer practice for about 6 months now, and have enjoyed the assist given by the 40 day centering prayer practice booklet and am looking forward to the coming sessions. The images are beautiful. Thank you for all the loving work you do. This is a poem I wrote about the prayer practice and its impact on my life. - J.S.
Language is the House of Being. Martin Heidegger Every day for five months I’ve been trying All I have to do is let go for twenty minutes. Sometimes I imagine a movie scene where a space ship Desire is my only way through. Last week on vacation with my family everything was different. “You’ve never had time before,” Julianna said So many years locked up, How wonderfully we are made. Punta Piedras
Dear Contemplative Outreach, I thank-you SO MUCH! for allowing me, in my poverty, to take part in the CLP program! It has meant SO MUCH to me! I suppose if I were to title this letter it would be perhaps a "Healing", a "Bringing Together" of all of Fr. Keating's books tapes etc, or perhaps "East meets West" into a final True Catholic Christian again! First it has been a healing from the standpoint of the "Psychology" That Fr. Keating in his works has done such a good job. His treating has finally allowed me, like the layers and flavors of a jaw breaker, to break those layers to start to get close to the core or "Divine Presence". I never thought that anyone would ever surpass John Bradshaw's "Child Within" healings for modern society. CLP, Fr. Keating, and all the fine people in this program have caused me a "Healing". A "Bringing Together" has occurred as all of the many tapes, books, and all of Fr. Keating's works have finally gelled into a very special meaning that did not occur after reading/ listening to his individual works. CLP has made all these things blend together into a modern day view and in an ancient way still contemplative. I now see the World, Church, Liturgy, Scripture, and Prayer through different eyes. I have seen especially Prayer as not only relationship but an action as well!. I am now going back and rereading and relistening to Fr. Keating's works and the Gospel and getting so much more from them! Even as I speak to Franscians the world over I feel a lot closer to each of them thanks to this program. I must admit as an exVietNam veteran having had "relaxation therapy" in the hospital, and have studied "Insight" meditation, I can truely say that in my mind, East has met West! The West has won, not that the Eastern methods put up that much of a battle. I feel better as a Post Vatican II, True Catholic, Contemplative, Christian thanks to the CLP program. I still have a lot of problems however, using "The Breath" as my "Sacred Word" due to Eastern teachings. With time and practice it is coming along a lot better now. In a true Christian way I still see "Breath" as God, Christ, the Holy Spirit, St. Francis and St. Clare. I saw so many Veterans give up their last breath reciting the 23rd Psalm!....even my own father a hero and POW in WWII, came back out of a coma to very clearly recite the 23rd Psalm with Pastor and family before his last breath. "The Breath" forever will be my "Will" and "Consent"! - K.W.K.
On the Centering Prayer praxis for Year One... The Spaces that Surround
I used to pursue God in a very exciting way. When I had my first child and stayed home with him my life became so undramatic. I thought maybe I couldn’t be a radical Christian anymore since I was no longer able to live in the radical poverty I had pursued before. As a creative type I actually find the poverty of drama and excitement in my life now much more difficult to deal with! I started the of practice of contemplative prayer when I heard Father Keating talk about it in some CD’s I listened to while on bed rest with my twins. It was a gift of grace as I realized that even lying down doing nothing I was valuable and loved in God’s eyes – that there was nothing I could do to make God love me more – but there was something I could do to help myself receive that love more! My twins are 2 ½ now. I am past the original joy and peace well into the Night of Sense. I am very grateful for Father Keating’s writings because I know to keep going. I might have thought as I sit through prayer after prayer where my mind wanders and I still get frustrated with my children and I still have mounds of laundry to do that this spiritual life is not all it is cracked up to be! But like the crocheter in my poem I just keep going every day. A real sense of trust is growing in me that the ordinary and the everyday is enough – that God will meet me in the midst of laundry and crying kids. This program (CLP) gives me the strength of knowing there are others praying with me and for me. The idea of the community of the saints has never been so real to me. I am just finishing the first module (on centering prayer) . I really needed the reminder that it is the consent of our prayer, not the perfection of it that allows God deeper into our lives. I was going to say that I am looking forward to the rest of the modules – but right now I am not really looking forward to anything – or back to anything – I wonder if some of you have been in that same place? Keep posting your experiences – it is helpful to read them. -C.B.
March 2006The current booklet of the Contemplative Living Program, “Attention/Intention,” is wonderful. Each day it has given me something significant to think about. It is a great blend of biblical grounding, teaching by significant spiritual teachers, and devotion to Christ. Words in the daily readings have struck me in ways that have moved me forward in my spiritual journey. For example, the statement quoted from Mary Margaret Funk’s “Tools Matter” in which she says that Therese of Lisieux “learned to prefer whatever happens” has been a very challenging concept for me. I always want things to be better. The letting go of Centering Prayer has helped. It will change my life to “prefer whatever happens.” And just pondering that phrase has already affected my attitude. I appreciate all four of the historic teachers of prayer that are quoted, St. Therese of Lisieux, Jean-Pierre De Caussade, Brother Lawrence and Wayne Teasdale. The booklet is so well crafted. I am greatly enriched by it. Many thanks to all who put it together. - D.M.
February 2006After going through the six previous practices and getting a bit overwhelmed with some of the daily interaction of print, suggestions and attempts to add or integrate them, I find the Attention/Intention module almost like 'dessert'! It's focus seems less intense, almost like a veering off onto a wooded path after walking on a busy, crowded street for awhile. I think, perhaps, its me, too, feeling less stressed about 'getting it right', or feeling like I have only this one shot at integrating all the practices well or perfectly. I realize God is always here, hanging around, loving me in my messiness and imperfections and awkward attempts to do this prayer or practice better. Just becoming more attentive to the fact of God's loving closeness tells me this module is working, as has the other six in their own way and their own time, with my consent in whatever capacity I'm able to give. It's like being on a merry-go-round (sorry about another analogy) where you're trying to catch the brass ring. There's plenty of chances to try, and in the meantime I can just enjoy the ride! I thank God for all this and you, too, for following the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. I look forward, as usual, to the next installment and continued ride wherever God takes me. - T.A.
January 2006I've adopted the Contemplative Life as my personal lifestyle. I guess that's the idea isn't it? Without understanding what I was doing I did this several years ago, but didn't put a formal name to it until recently. This is my Holy Grail -- something I had been searching for from the beginning, but didn't know what I was searching for until I "found it." It was such a relief; the searching and wondering came to an end. I'm pretty faithful with CP, say the Jesus Prayer often during the day, and the Welcoming Prayer whenever old thoughts come to the surface. I want to do more with LD than I'm doing, but that will come. And I come up with my own "Action Prayers." Recently I've been using parts of Ps 1 and/or Ps 5. "...but his delight is in the law of the Lord..." (Ps 1) and "But as for me..." in Ps 5 is my current favorite. My job is such that I can meditate on these passages all day long. I appreciate the CLP and am grateful to God for leading me on this path of life. -B.L.
Thoughts about the CLP program. Why? I was intrigued. I was curious. I wanted to learn everything about centering prayer. A heartfelt thanks to the Contemplative Outreach in giving us such a gift of life. This gift started with the Centering prayer module which seemed so small, so little. And when I plunged into it reading, it seemed like a vast ocean of sun filled with life. I learned that I needed Sister Iachetta's Daily Reader for Contemplative Living. I literally started to wake up. Everyone should have the Daily Reader. The Welcoming Prayer Module: I attended welcoming prayer workshops but this module spoke to me in my pain, and the need to acknowledge this pain. As I was using the beautiful meditations, and following the suggestions I started to awake some more dealing with my pain. I have practiced Lectio Divina in groups and by myself, but I have seldom experienced the quiet sense of holiness as I walked through this module and came across page 16, and 17 to find out that:" Each of us is a spoken word of God." The rich suggestions for further study and helpful suggestions how to practice are priceless. The module on Discernment and Forgiveness are a must for all of us on the journey. How can one make a sound decision without proper guidance? Following the spirit instead to helplessly sorting out through the attic of one's cluttered mind. How do you forgive when it is so difficult to forgive? How do you know you have really forgiven? The module will point you in the right direction. Now I am practicing my active prayer as I tiptoe through the holy pages going backward and forward savoring the beautifully laid out print, coming across the Perfume of Prayer by St. Isaac the Syrian. The booklet is rich in suggestions to pursue further study in this area. My life has definitely improved and I am definitely more awake. I have subscribed for year II of Contemplative Life Program
and I am looking forward to growing some more in spirit and in sharing the joy
of my discovery, and waking up some more. The modules are my constant companions
as I walk through and reread parts as I feel the need. I also share the modules
with my Centering Prayer Group. - S.S.
December 2005The forgiveness module has taken longer than the customary forty days. The context of my daily routine - centering prayer, welcoming prayer, and lectio divina have been crucial for the prayer of forgiveness practice. On a balsam branch, the stark core of a cone stands upright. The scales have dispersed to reveal the core's essence and to create new life. This is the process of forgiveness - the layers of denial, anger, bargaining, sadness - are peeled away until being naked in God's love is all that remains. In a particular sense, this happened to me in the prayer of forgiveness as I brought into my safe place full of God's love, a relative who had always belittled me and my family in many ways. As I gradually forgave her, I also recognized my own arrogance and pride. Over time, through several family events, our relationship slowly changed. She created a special gift for me and we had a special, healing visit for the first time ever. Like the balsam fir trees which hold on to their cone cores (cones never drop whole from this tree), my core is held in God's infinite mercy and love. As Corrie Ten Bloom says, "And so I discovered that it is not on our forgiveness any more than on our goodness that the world's healing hinges, but on His. When He tells us to love our enemies, he gives, along with the command, the love itself." - L.C.
I do a county jail ministry ... working with the inmates on handling many issues in their lives - all the nasty stuff! Much of it is attempting to deal with using Methamphetamines. I have been using our CLP Forgiveness booklet as an excellent means to helping the inmates to move out much deep pain, and to deal with those who have hurt them as well as those they have hurt in their spiritual journeys. I have been getting some great feedback from them. The booklet has proven to be a great way that the inmate can set and read at their "leisure" between times that I visit with them. It is simple and straight forward with the modern thinking involving our person chemistries (the 24 hr. Pharmacy for instance). The Centering Prayer booklet would be another excellent one. - F. N .F.
November 2005Ups and Downs ... That's the story of my entire spiritual life, and I often suspect more people have the same experience. The nice, smooth path to the top of the mountain? Forget about it! It's mostly bumps in the road and backsliding. Well, for me it is. Some of the CLP modules have been "just in time." Exactly the right thing. The Discernment module, Lectio to a degree. Now, with the Active Prayer one, I've had a nice surprise. I did not expect to find it very interesting. I've read about it, heard about it, and never thought much of it. Perhaps I should say that I've been doing one form of meditation or another for 32 years, including several years devotion to the Jesus Prayer and several more to Centering Prayer. That finally turned out not to be enough for me to "hang onto" in silence, and I returned to John Main's Christian Meditation, using just one word. So Active Prayer - Why? Well, you guys put together such a wonderful, gentle, persuasive and helpful booklet that I am going to copy parts of it for my prayer group.... Thank you for your stellar efforts and accomplishments in spreading contemplative prayer. - J.K.
The 40 days are not up yet but I am bursting to tell you what happened this morning. Monday is always set aside for visiting my mother, who happens to be 93 years old. My practice has been to read from the CLP booklet in the afternoon or evening time. Today the urge was to read the prayer after morning centering. The time had come to 'forgive ' my mother for not being around to protect me from a formidable father. She was in the house but never in the right place. feel the pain............feel the consequences as they unfolded in everyday life............ feel.......... feel.......... feel.... forgive......... forgive................. forgive. Let go................ 2 hours later, having arrived at my mothers who had forgotten I was coming (as usual!) and was still in bed, she started talking about a doctor who diagnosed scarlet fever 83 years ago! "Why didn't he just ask me what I had eaten for tea the day before"? asked my mother in a quiet voice. "I was in an isolation hospital for 4 weeks and then 2 weeks in isolation at home. I missed the exam to go to grammar school, and when I did take it I had lost so much schooling I failed, much to everyone's surprise. I had to go to a secondary school that was not very good". The story went on and was repeated several times. Then the question, "Why has all this come to mind now, so many years later?" I sat on her bed and reran my tape of 2 hours earlier. Were they connected? Was it co-incidence? I leave it to you to judge. In the meantime I was sitting on the edge of the bed with my mother as tiny tears coursed down her cheeks. Forgiveness.....forgive. Oh well, here goes! Very gently I suggested perhaps the time had come to let it go, to forgive the doctor for his mistake - it had been food poisoning by the way, not scarlet fever. So we held our hands out and I invited mum to feel the pain, to forgive the doctor and when she was ready, to hand it over to my mothers elder sister who was a very very dear soul. Some minutes later, mum stretched her hands forwards and upwards and then rested her hands on her lap. She turned and looked at me with a smile on her face and said "She was pleased". -J.N.
Hi from Winnipeg, Canada I received my booklets from CLP a few months ago. These beautiful booklets drew me in and as I read them, I wondered how I was ever going to absorb or organize all of the material. Over these months, I have practiced, and have become as faithful to Lectio and the Centering Prayer as I can. Gradually the material is making sense and is being absorbed into my daily prayer routine. I especially appreciated the Teleconference on Forgiveness. Because I have rheumatoid arthritis and experience a lot of pain, the Welcoming Prayer has become a mainstay of my daily and nightly life. As "absolutely illogical and irrational" the prayer seems at first, it has helped me in a very real way to endure my pain and to face down my night time and daily fears and anxieties. In view of my disabilities, my personal prayer has been, "What would you have me do, Lord. How can I serve you? Today, I sent the "Welcoming Prayer" to a friend, who is struggling with loss. With the help from her spiritual counsellor, she is hoping to use the prayer as a way to deal with her grief. Perhaps this is one way that I can serve. Thank you for giving us an opportunity to respond to you with our experiences. - S .M.
October 2005I have been practicing Centering Prayer for six years now & continue to grow . The Contemplative Life Program has renewed my spirit and commitment to the Spiritual journey. Every practice of the CLP has been a gift at just the right time for me. Most profoundly is the Forgiveness Prayer. I decided to sit with it this evening knowing beforehand the person I needed to forgive. Well, obviously, God had other plans. As I consented to the Spirit, it was not the person I had previously selected but it was my husband instead. I thought, "it can't be...everything is good with us...after 25+ years we've certainly learned to forgive each other." Since the Holy Spirit had made the choice, I stayed with it. I didn't realize that all the baggage was still there deeply rooted. The little hurts, the time of loneliness & frustration were forgiven on one level but not the deepest one. I haven't cried like that in a long time. But more astonishing was the hurt that I have caused him as well over the years. What a wonderful marriage counselor!! And I didn't know I needed one. At a deep level I feel refreshed & forgiven. Thank you for showing me the way. - M. M.
September 2005How insightful of you to include 1 Cor. 13 in the discernment process practicum. I just completed going through the suggested process on an issue and came to the realization that when the decision is made in love and and action taken with love and through love that either side of the decision is just a mere detail, the importance and rightness of the decision is that it is through love. Then the wisdom of leading off the booklet with 1 Cor. 13 hit me. I just had to say, "Well done!" and thanks. - S. S. August 2005A few years ago I found out about centering prayer and decided to jump in that boat with the enthusiasm of someone who really has no idea where she was going: Unfortunately I was alone in that boat, with no map and no compass and eventually dropped out. But I was hooked and came back for more: the CLP allowed me to get more. Not only did it bring some direction and teaching to my spiritual life but it made it very real in living my daily, ordinary life. Events and circumstances don't seem to hit me as hard as they used to; there is a "built in zone of peace" around me which somehow protects me from going into a spiral like I used to . Watching the news used to touch me, but in that superficial manner of someone who feels that she is supposed to feel bad, but then move on. I used to think that there was no other way, that violence, wars, hartred (sic) was just part of life, was "normal". Today even though I am not drafting laws, or marching down in the streets to protest, I feel much more involved in other people's sufferings, I feel that there is another way. Centering is a way for me to share in their lives and somehow to make a difference. Centering can change people's hearts and not only the practicioner's. (sic) As much as I love the welcoming prayer, I do find it too long when things are happening too fast: I found that coming back to my sacred word instead was very helpful to remain centered. The discerning process: That was a tough one. The first thing to discern was what to discern about! And I had a long list at my finger tips. Eventually it did help me to focus on what I really was supposed to do instead of what I thought I had to do. As processes kept on being taught I found myself overwhelmed by the amount of materiel presented, and how or when to use it. This time I was not alone in my boat and got some very helpful answers from Pamela who took the time to share her own personal experiences with me. Every day when I practice my centering I put a "Don't disturb" sign on my door: almost like my sacred word this is the sign of my consent, and for my children the understanding that being alone with God is a good place to be. I thank CLP for teaching me that too. - I. R.
Since consenting to participate and deepen our practice through the CLP, I'm aware of being more mindful of God's presence and my motivation for doing whatever I'm doing in prayer, work and in relationship with others. Is my intention one of love for God or am I acting out of self-interest? We often say how blessed we are in having this connection with Contemplative Outreach to support us on the Journey. We've increased our centering prayer time to an hour most mornings and every late afternoon. -A & J. B.
I have a good job and am happy in my job. In an embarrassment of riches, a colleague at another company invited me to consider quitting my current job and going to work with his company. The other company does something that I consider admirable and wonderful, and so this has posed a real dilemma and created an apparent need for discernment. For the last several months I have been agonizing and a bit miserable over the decision of what to do. The idea of picking up one's ("easy" and "light") yoke and burden, of carrying one's cross, etc. have been at the center of my spiritual reflection lately. I have spent hours wondering which of these choices might represent the particular cross that Christ is asking me to carry at this point in my life. The "stay put" choice is a bit Benedictine: carry the cross of relinquishing egotistical fantasies of heroic and noble "world-saving" schemes just over the next hill; let the false self that is wrapped up in these fantasies wither. The "other job" choice is a bit Jesuit: carry the cross of relinquishing a comfy current situation, trust the Lord in heeding His call, and follow Him on a new and uncertain future path, as the disciples did when He called them. The Lord has unfortunately been a bit mum on this whole thing! Another possibility occurred to me: It may be that the cross the Lord is asking me to carry right now is the anguish of indecision, the betwixt and between. As Fr. Thomas has repeatedly emphasized, centering prayer often involves evacuation of deep-seated emotional conflicts that arise in childhood traumas. I had such a trauma, in the form of the divorce of my parents when I was five, and the subsequent tug of war over who would get to keep the children. This being torn between two job choices in some ways recapitulates the emotional circuitry of my childhood, of being torn between two parents who were at odds with each other. During my twice-daily centering prayer sittings, tears having been coming, I think related to this emotional trauma. It is possible that the real significance of this seeming discernment issue between the two jobs is much more about the Lord bringing to the surface these old emotional wounds, so that He may tenderly and lovingly heal them? So, perhaps there are cases in which seeming needs for discernment of life choices, with attendant emotional distress and anxiety, are really ways for the Lord to open up subterranean emotional and psychological issues that are the real things He wants to deal with. In these cases, the most important thing would not be the actual choice that eventually gets made, but rather the inner psychological "ripping of the temple veil" in which the Lord gains access to deeper places within our hearts through the various emotions we experience while struggling with the decision. -G. J. July 2005The Contemplative Life Program has entered the deepest recesses of my being and practice during this third module. As I continue the daily practice of the Centering and Welcoming Prayers, letting go is becoming more possible (although I know this will process will continue for the rest of my life). I have come to understand Lectio Divina in greater breath and depth. Praying the Word is another way of letting go of my agendas to be transformed by God. The background readings, especially those of Casey, Arico, Mulholland, Pennington have helped me to realize that each of the moments of Lectio Divina may last different lengths of time. It is important to know the Word in its context (and not to pick out texts that support my views). Then it is possible to be formed by this Word through reflection, response, and resting. I have read each of the texts in CLP in both English and Swedish. Somehow reading in another language has made the text come alive within me in a new way. ‘Blir kvar I min kärlek’ (abide in my love) stays with me through the day. I appreciated the scripture selections from the Way of the Pilgrim. I read the French translation of the book and have begun to see how ‘Incarnate God, have mercy on me’ could become the breath of life in a prayer without ceasing. Finally, I value the process orientation of CLP. I thank you for the art and the graphic design which seek to support the formation process, not through more information, but through offering me a way to meet God in relationship. I will treasure the booklets always. -H. C.
… I received Modules 2 and 3 of CLP today via Global Priority Mail. They arrived at lunchtime just as I was reading the chapter on the process of Lectio Divina from Thomas Keating's book, Intimacy with God. How about that for synchronicity! I must say that I was immediately taken by the beautiful, yet simple and practical design for daily use. I am sure they will become an invaluable aid and reminder to practice, practice, practice... - T. H., Australia
I've been involved in the centering prayer program over 10 years and have tried, somewhat sporadically, several of the practices that are part of the program now. I must say I'm amazed at the interconnectedness of the practices with the prayer, how one seems to lead into another and how they seem to fit, at least for me, into an overall dynamism that reminds me of the injunction, 'to pray always', as well as Paul's reflection of our lives as prayers, like 'incense rising up to God'. The practices make more sense to me--in fact--it seems I see the wisdom of doing the welcoming prayer and lectio outside of the centering prayers periods, and, I have seen another need for the active prayer sentence in my life, which prior to this program, I have done only on occasion. I look forward to each 'module' or 40 day retreat. The first three have inspired me to re-read several books or articles and I seem to get a little more out of them each time. It's all wonderful, even the struggles and confrontations with my false self. This program has helped me become more faithful and more understanding of the process and more alive and gentle, patient and compassionate with myself and others. -T. A.
Yesterday I Did Not Welcome Yesterday I did not welcome..... Yesterday was Holy Thursday. On Wednesday, Sammi my secretary called me in the Goshen office and said, "Dr. Ferro - did you see tomorrow's schedule? You start at 9 AM and you go to 6 PM without lunch and you have some double bookings." Yesterday I did not welcome..... Wednesday night my answering service called me, "Dr Ferro you have a consult to do tomorrow, at your convenience." But I had no convenient time on Thursday.... Yesterday I did not welcome..... Thursday dawned and I was in a hurry. I had to get to the hospital and do the consult, then off to the office, see the patients quickly and in an efficient, concise way - regardless of their problems. Yesterday I did not welcome..... The patient studded marathon, however, did not occur. Patients missed their appointments and some "free" time opened up to do paper work. Relaxation began to settle in and the question arose, "Why do I let the 'external' drive my 'internal' welcome? Then the last consult came in for "after" office hours. When I arrived in his hospital room Mr. WJ remembered me from an office visit one and a half years before, " I remember you Doc, you said you could not help me, you said I was too old..." How could I have given no hope? Yesterday I did not welcome..... Yesterday was Holy Thursday. When I got home my wife Emily suggested that we pay a visit to our Parish Church. It was 11:15 PM - but the church was staying open till midnight. We prayed - witness to the Last Supper and the beginning of Christ's last hours alive before his passion and death. He died because He loved too much - more than the rules and laws allowed. I realized life is not about a busy schedule to get through, but about a love of the gift of life and a love of our relationships and relationships of love. I said to myself, "John, stop thinking so much, stop worrying so much, start loving and living. Start to welcome each moment and open up to them. Feel and be free of your thoughts." Last night I began to welcome once again. - J. F.
May 2005“For years as part of my prayer practices I have read each morning a short selection from St, John of the Cross, Teresa of Avila and the Little Flower. They are contained on a ‘saying-a- day’ calendar. After reading the passage I spent a few minutes doing Lectio Divina on each one. It has deepened my appreciation of their teaching. I have found the same fruit from the CLP. A page a day read, pondered, responded to and rested in has helped me deepen my grasp of the essence of centering prayer. I am looking forward to experiencing this with the up and coming booklets. Many thanks for getting me out of my head and into my being.” -C. A.
“The materials are beautiful and of high quality. The quotes and passages appear to be deep, prayerful “doorways” into prayer. I’ve been praying with the [centering prayer] materials for several days now and am enjoying them very much. I pray the daily readings first, reflecting on them for a few moments before settling into my centering prayer. I’ve found that “doing” 2 pages of the spiral-bound book per day works well—and the blank spaces on most of the pages are just right for jotting down daily thoughts, reflections, etc. One of the awesome things about the Contemplative Life Program is knowing that so many others are praying at the same time—with the same materials—and in such a profound way. Surely the world will be blessed and enriched by this effort. I’m very glad to be a part of the Contemplative Life Program and look forward to future modules.” -E. H.
“My initial impression was one of confusion. I need more direction. The Daily Reader was on back order and I was never even told I needed it. How can I ever get caught up? Now, into the second module, I am very thankful. The readings are very simple and few. They are very powerful. I'm reminded that the readings are not the end, but point to the end. This, of course, seems to be a perennial problem for me. Even at age 66 I expect to be "spoon-fed" thought. When that happens I object to being controlled. I am enjoying the program very very much. I thank all who have put it together. I am thankful for being introduced to The Daily Reader for Contemplative Living, compiled by Sr. Stephanie Iachetta, and the article by Cherry Haisten.” -D. B.
“When I first received the book I wondered how I was suppose to use it. I have come to expect to be surprised when doing Centering Prayer consistently, so I figured the way would be shown if I followed the guidelines on the four 10 day period cards. Some nice things happened. When the 3rd week had a suggestion to invite the communion of saints to pray with me I invited a good friend who had recently died sooner than the doctor's predicted. I invited her and felt her presence sitting quietly at peace and finally having all her questions answered. She is still sitting comfortably with me. Another time I realized that I had unfinished business with a long deceased uncle. I invited him and by silently praying together we are settling our issues. Just after receiving the second booklet on the topic of the Welcoming Prayer my spiritual director recommended the Welcome prayer when my agitation about "church" and "patriarchal hierarchy" comes up. It was more than a timely suggestion. I am happy to learn that you are going to consider a more directed approach to using the materials. My only suggestion centers around recommended readings from other sources. It took quite a while before I was able to obtain a copy of the Daily Reader for Contemplative Living. I did not try to figure out what day to start reading and went with the calendar day. Thank you for the work you are putting into this program.” -M. S.
“I have been loving the book that came with the first module (on Centering Prayer). It is more poetic and unstructured in nature -- but since Centering Prayer is Relationship, this seems appropriate. (My relationship with my wife is not at all structured or regimented!) And an advantage of its brevity is that this encourages one to read it over and over again, which I've been doing. (Upon my next reading, I plan to underline and write in my own notes & comments.)” -R. E.
“I have received two 40 day practice guides (which are lovely.) They have helped to rejuvenate my long-standing practice of centering prayer.” -P. F.
“I am enjoying the first segment of the program a lot. I have been a centering prayer practitioner for many years, but my practice lately has been sketchy and this has helped me to become more faithful again--and evento increase the length and frequency of my sits. Thank you for recommending Cynthia Bourgeault's Centering Prayer and Inner Awakening. I have found it a terrific read and especially helpful with Welcoming Prayer. Her chapter on that subject is excellent with good specifics on the prayer.” -C. B. “The program is absolutely changing my life and I'm sharing it with my CP group and friends… “ -I. R. “I have found myself throughout our first 6 weeks encouraging folks to read small bits of things or none at all and simply to experience the practice of CP. As a recovering academic/intellectual, I know all too well the temptation to read instead of experience! Actually, I found the suggestions to read only specific chapters in a book to be helpful. Again, little pieces produce more insight over time....” -S. B. “Thank you also for all of your hard work. Many people are receiving many blessings through CLP and its a nice way to keep us united in prayer and practice.” -M. A. C. “I'm a long-term (9 years) Centering Prayer practitioner living in New York City. I admit to having been a bit mystified at the program's intent after receipt of the original materials, but they did refocus me on daily practice. But I want to complement you on the FAQs dealing with the intent of the program. I think they are excellent, and should probably be a part of the introduction to the program, or at least a follow-up to clarify and "re-energize" (if such a concept is appropriate for the Contemplative Life).” -L. W.
“Overall, I am glad that I have subscribed. It is true that the booklet has no particular structure, but I sort of created my own structure, a 40-day reading schedule concurrent with the readings from Daily Reader for Contemplative Living. All of the readings are meaningful and helpful and the sections, which call for journaling, that are sprinkled throughout the text are a good addition. I look forward to trying out the triad group experience. No one in my prayer group is doing this program, so it will be good to connect with others who actually are doing it. The greatest challenges so far are 1) adding the Communion of Saints and my ancestors to the Centering Prayer experience and 2) adding a third prayer period. Adding "a group" of people to the Centering Prayer experience feels if I am adding a thought. I am persevering with this though. I am not certain if I will be successful in adding a third prayer period. Expanding from 20 minutes to 30 minutes in one of my two prayer sessions is already a stretch in time commitment.” -T. A. “With much gratitude – many thanks for the CLP. I appreciate so much all the work that the CLP team of contributors has done and have benefited from it…I feel the prayer it involves. Starting the first module was just what I needed in February. I had just got out of the hospital after colon surgery and than another stay because of blockage that formed during the operation. Doing much better now and the CLP has great recuperative grace. I found both form and content quite appropriate and the daily discipline has been extremely helpful. It has been an important facet of my rehab. One senses the Body of Christ at work: so the weak can grow strong in and through the Divine Indwelling and restoration. Looking forward to the adventure and journey. May God bless you all! In Christ’s Love, - R. E. E.
Today I began the third module - Lectio Divina. Before opening the booklet, I jotted down last night's dream. I was with a Benedictine monk friend on a lakeshore not far from my home. There were many houses close together, built of indestructible material. Inside one of the homes, a man was in the kitchen getting ready to clean a stringer of fish. A few dogs were offered the raw fish, and they were thoroughly enjoying each bite. I commented that we never fed our dogs raw fish. As we drove away from this happy scene, I told my friend that I thought I'd like to live in one of the houses, as one was for sale. He got very excited, made a U-turn in the road, and headed back, commenting on the wisdom of my decision. Being of a metaphorical mind, after reading the first lesson, I jotted down: FISH = THE WORD; LAKE= THE SOURCE; HOUSES= CONTEMPLATIVE OUTREACH LTD.; DOGS=PILGRIMS; MONK= MY INNER GUIDE. So... I begin the third module, ever deepening, ever surrendering, ever softening, and ever surprised! Thank you for these beautiful materials. This morning I had the realization that I have been practicing Lectio since Marie Howard gave me a copy of Psalms for Praying by Nan C. Merrill. My antiphons based on her texts are Word become Fish for me! Even the dogs.... even the dogs! -J. H.
Today I begin the third practice, Lectio Divina! I have not written earlier because I have no words for how much the first two practices have meant to me, and how much they have deepened my relationship with God, myself, and others. And this is just a beginning. Centering Prayer, the Welcoming Prayer, Abandonment to Divine Providence, the Daily Reader for Contemplative Reading, and now Lectio Divina! What a wealth you bring into our lives through the Holy Spirit, to "enter into the life of the risen Christ." I am so blessed in and through you. I love the books for each of the forty days. Beautifully simple and profoundly meaningful. Thank you! -A. P.
I have found the first and second modules to be of great value and I recommend them to anyone wishing to practice Christian meditation systemically, consistently. A Christian in childhood, in the recent past I had practiced vipassana meditation for five years or more; now the CLP practice feels welcoming indeed and encouraging. My thanks to you and all the CLP staff for your hard work to make it possible. …I think the CLP program is having an effect in my daily life. It is particularly heartening and encouraging to know that so many people are participating worldwide right now, manifesting and celebrating the body of Christ. Very cool. -B. S.
Experiences with Module 1 – Centering Prayer: Couldn't add a third period, but have managed to consistently do at least one 30-minute period for day and have worked much harder to make sure I do a second one. I'm in it for the long haul, though, so 3 periods are something I will strive for, even if it takes years to make it happen. God will help me get it together at the pace he decides for me; my job is to really, really try. Also, the ‘communion of the saints’ practice: I found a haunting photo of the grandfather I never met and invited him to join me in Centering Prayer. He died when my father was only 11. Over time I was prompted to reflect on what my father's life must have been like, growing up without a father, and I began seeking him out more, asking him questions, talking. We have grown closer because of this. Experiences with Module 2 – Welcoming Prayer: I understood the importance of practicing acceptance before, but having a structured prayer - the Welcoming Prayer- to use helped bring it home like never before. It's almost like a mini-examination of conscience and then an affirmation to accept God's presence and action. When I use it, it prompts me to reflect on my own motivations: Am I trying to control? Win/keep esteem or affection? Do I fear losing security? It's the one-minute wake-up call that helps me to act, not react. It has helped me through some very ugly moments I would have handled badly before. The Welcoming Prayer is great for joyful moments too! How much more I savor them when I say, "Welcome, Welcome" and remember to see God's presence and action in good times, too! Module 3: Lectio Divina. This has the clearest instructions of all, so far… -A. P.
I too have had many moments of gratitude for the Welcoming Practice and feel that the years of practice on the Spiritual Journey are the best moments of my life, which enlivens all the rest of Life and my place in it. -S. W.
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