Q: What does “consenting to God’s action within” means? what does it look like and how do I know that I am actually consenting to God’s action within me? […]
My First Sit
On workdays, my first Centering Prayer sit is at 5:45 a.m. I always feel some anxiety after I wake. Then I retreat to the basement, light a candle, […]
Unloading of the Unconscious
Q: I have practiced Centering Prayer for years now and I was wondering if you could explain the process of unloading of the unconscious. What happens when forgotten memories […]
Prayer Groups in the Era of Social Distancing
Many of us have been struggling with questions about whether our contemplative prayer groups should continue to meet in light of the current situation and these decisions are increasingly […]
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Active Prayer Sentence as a Thought
Q: I have a question regarding the active prayer practice. I’m practicing Centering Prayer for about 2 years and the active prayer for several months. Sometimes, the active prayer […]
Introduction to Centering Prayer Course in Spanish via Zoom
The Dominican Republic Centering Prayer Community (DRCPC) has a history of more than thirty years of following, supporting, and sharing the path of contemplative transformation taught by Father Thomas […]
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Centering Prayer and Lightheadedness
Q: I have a question regarding my Centering Prayer practice: Lately, I have noticed that as I finish my sit, open my eyes and come back to the external, I […]
Gratitude and Centering Prayer
Gratitude and Centering Prayer Q: Is it possible to experience pleasure and gratitude for the feelings I sometimes have during meditation (e.g. spaciousness, chakra opening) without being distracted by them? […]
Centering Prayer as a Path of Return
“In returning and rest is my salvation.” Isaiah 30:15 When I was in the 7th grade I wrote a short story about a young girl who ran away […]
Global Support Team for English-speaking Practitioners of Centering Prayer Outside the United States
In August 2018, Pat Johnson asked me to serve as the team leadfor English speaking practitioners of Centering Prayer outside the United States. With that request came another request- to form […]
Centering Prayer and Involuntary Body Movements
Q: I have a question I hope you can help me with. During recent meditation periods when I go deeper, I have begun to tense up, tremble and […]
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An Example of a Zoom 1/2-Day Centering Prayer Retreat
Fifty-nine gathered the morning of Holy Saturday to experience a ½-Day Centering Prayer retreat via Zoom. The format was simple; the silence profound; the intimacy shared. Here is […]
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The Welcoming Prayer in Moments of Crisis
Q: How can the Welcoming Prayer help us during this time of Covid-19? Mary Dwyer: What an extraordinary time we are all living through. Personally, I feel a deep and […]
Centering Prayer: A Prayer and A Practice
Q: I have been doing Centering Prayer for over five years now yet it never seems to get easier. It’s as if there is a part of me that just […]
The Sacred Breath
Throughout most of my contemplative practice, the breath has been my natural access point into realms of Divine expansion. So much so that it has become my sacred symbol […]
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The Birth of God Within
The birth narrative of Luke portrays Mary as the archetype of the Christian contemplative, whom Gabriel declares “full of grace” and “blessed among women” (Luke 1:28). For Luke, […]
Lent and Centering Prayer
Q: Do you have any suggestions for the season of Lent that can be an encouragement for my practice of Centering Prayer? A: We are soon entering the season of […]
Intercessory Prayers
Q: When saying grace, in my private prayer after Eucharist, and during evening and night prayer, I ask for intercession. Yet I wonder whether this doesn't reflect a lack of […]
Centering Prayer in Czechia and Slovakia
My first encounter with Centering Prayer was in 2010 in Cambridge, England, where I was taking a two-year course of study on The Art of Spiritual Direction. One of […]
Centering Prayer and Other Types of Prayer
Q: While I am not yet capable of Centering Prayer, my daily prayer period consists of intercessory and thanksgiving prayers as well as Scripture reading and reflection. Silence and solitude […]
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Centering Prayer and Other Types of Prayer
Q: While I am not yet capable of Centering Prayer, my daily prayer period consists of intercessory and thanksgiving prayers as well as Scripture reading and reflection. Silence and solitude […]
What Goes On in the Inner Room?
When you pray, go to your inner room, close the door and pray to your Father in secret. And your Father, who sees in secret, will cause your life […]
Some Teeny Centering in the Tiny Hours
I left the bedroom at 1:43 am, confident my congested, snoring wife would happily sleep away the night on her own. I made for the guest room and quiet. […]
Night of the Sense and Night of the Spirit
Q: I recently read Fr. Daniel Renaud's article on "Desire and Everyday Mysticism" and I see that over 25 years of Christian life I started on the positive way […]
Finding Wonders in the Desert
Few go willingly into the desert. It is a harsh life, more about survival than comfort. The silence can blister like the noonday sun. But harsh does not mean […]
