Remaining Grounded in the Heart

 

Q: Thank you for your articles and questions and answers on trauma and depression alongside Centering Prayer.   I have encountered people suffering with trauma and depression, perhaps everyone has trauma.

I came to Centering Prayer in 2009, and found complete solace and understanding in Father Thomas’ teachings. Not long into the group and watching The Spiritual Journey – I expressed how much I thought Thomas Keating was the best I had come ever across.  I was ‘told off’ and said no one should ever ‘idolise’ anyone!  Being sensitive, I took this personally. I regret taking it to heart … Partially, this is a cultural difference as I was born in a heart-centered country – expressing love and passion for something is natural.

Over the years, I have continued with my practice, while in a place which is completely mind-centered, and my gentle heart continues to give. Centering Prayer has grounded me deeply, but I still have a sense of wanting to flee.  I remain electronically connected with my roots of where I was born and fled.  A group of 59 classmates is a beautiful container of sharing our journeys, especially during COVID. Many a time, I yearn to go back, but it would be impossible.

My dilemma or my question is how to remain grounded in a place which is mind-centred, and, how not to be depleted.  Although, I … know the Holy Spirit embraces and holds me through those moments.

I have facilitated a group now for 10 years, as the person who was leading us moved away.  I consulted with a spiritual director, and was guided and heard and helped as to whether I should facilitate.  I have kept on. …

In the times I am overwhelmed and think it’s time to let go, I am embraced by the Holy Spirit, and I am grounded, possibly from deep loving teachings from my beautiful home country where I was born, which were embedded in my soul in early childhood.

A: It sounds like you have a deep connection with Father Thomas’ teachings on Centering Prayer and I’m sorry to hear about your experience of being “told off” in a way that created obstacles on your spiritual path as you tried to connect with those teachings.

You ask how you can remain grounded and avoid becoming depleted in a mind-centered environment and I think you answer your own question by noticing how you are embraced by the Holy Spirit. If you just keep turning towards the Spirit you will be nourished and sustained.

I am reminded of something that Richard Rohr said in his daily email meditations on the subject of mentoring. He describes an elderly monk who said to him when he was a young Franciscan, “Richard, I want you always to trust your intuitions. Promise me that you will always trust them, even if they are wrong once in a while. The direction is right and I will personally fight for you in the background if it ever comes to that.”

The Spirit helps us to remain connected to our hearts through our intuition. By following our intuitive promptings, we can learn how to let the Holy Spirit be our guide and hear it calling to us. It sounds like you have learned to do that, moving towards what is healing and spiritually nourishing for you, letting go of what is not helpful. Your Centering Prayer practice has helped to strengthen the heart centered, intuitive faculties that connect you with the Spirit’s flowing. Our culture is filled with voices that conflict with the call of the Spirit, but as you ground yourself in your practice, you can continue to discern and clear away whatever like weeds is crowding out the voice of the Spirit. As Richard Rohr’s teacher suggests, this is a messy, imperfect, and sometimes risky process, but if you keep cultivating your intuitive heart through your faithful practice you will continue to hear the voice of the Spirit calling you.

God is drawing you towards God, often not through the most rational or linear route. Don’t ignore the rational but continue to listen for the voice of the Spirit that may not always seem so rational. Listen to your guides and those around you while continuing to respect your inner authority.

Your Centering Prayer practice, your Centering Prayer group, your spiritual director and spiritual companions, and scripture can all help you to remain connected to the realm of God. It sounds like your heart is doing a good job of teaching you to remain grounded in the Spirit.

Warm regards,

Lindsay Boyer