Q: I am currently undergoing the dark night of the soul for the 2nd /3rd time. I have read a lot about John of the Cross and other authors. I […]
Teaching Centering Prayer in Seminaries
Q: Father Arico, our Centering Prayer group is reading your book A Taste of Silence. After the introduction where you share your experience of Centering Prayer, our discussion led us […]
Receptivity
Q: I am a commissioned presenter of the Centering Prayer introductory workshop and when I am elaborating on the notion of being receptive I describe the proper disposition as one […]
Que Sera Sera
Lyrics from a popular Doris Day song from the 1950‚Äôs: ‚ÄúQue sera sera, whatever will be, will be;the future‚Äôs not ours to see, que sera sera‚Äù A few years ago […]
Motivations and Service
Q: In the past year I’ve have fully realized the Martha in me and my false-self motivations that permeated years of ministry. By God’s grace the Illuminative way is proceeding […]
A Blessed Psalm
Blessed are those who, when there is nowhere left to go, turn inward; for they shall find the Center of all. Your love sustains Blessed are those who dwell in […]
Unsure of the Outcomes of Prayer
Q: I always try contemplative prayer, and it seems to be working. How can one be sure that the outcome (even though negative at times) is working for the right? […]
The Relevance of a Contemplative Practice Today
What is the relevance of a contemplative practice today? What fruits have you noticed in your life and what do you understand by the purification process? With the rapid evolution […]
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Prayer in Secret
An inner turningOf the heart and mind;An unseen embraceInto Love divine. What deep communionIs this secret prayer;A constant unfoldingInto Love‚Äôs great care. The sweetness of engaged delightAway from the worldYet […]
On the 30th Anniversary of Contemplative Outreach
Dear Fr. Thomas and Contemplative Outreach associates, I‚Äôm grateful to God for Fr. Thomas‚Äô inspired vision in founding Contemplative Outreach 30 years ago, and for the many following years of […]
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Mercy Will Prevail
Q: I am a lay contemplative catholic who would greatly appreciate your insight on the following matter. I see a world of one creator who has created both hell and […]
INSPIRATION KEATS (PROGRESSIVE ASPECT)
Kneeling in a vast hemispherical hall, I am surrounded by what seem to me must be the souls of all who have ever lived and of all those who ever […]
Centering Prayer and Profanity
Q: I tried Centering Prayer for some time but reached a point where during my prayer time I was constantly assailed by profane words, words I assiduously avoid in my […]
A New Tree
To see with new eyes the Christmas treeIs but an outward showOf a deeper realityThat we have come to know. For isn‚Äôt the Christmas tree,Hung with ornaments aplentyA deep reminder […]
Words of Power
God brought the beasts before Adamand he gave to each a name:bull, pig, goat, sheep, dog.His children called them by their names,and lo! they came when called.So shamans and savants […]
Opening Prayer?
Q: Hi! I’m looking for the opening prayer you use in Contemplative Outreach Ltd. The one I’m used to, but cannot find a reference to anywhere, being so long ago, […]
Centering Prayer and Heartbeat
Q: Rather than using a sacred word – or as well as using one – recently I have been listening to my heart beat and find this helpful. Does this […]
The Two-Armed Embrace of God
Q: I daily say the Rosary and the Chaplet of Divine Mercy. However there are times that I cannot complete these prayers and I wonder [uneasily], is this how God […]
Sharing about the Prayer
Q: I have joined a Centering Prayer group in which the leader asks people to share their prayer experience with the person next to them. This does not seem to […]
Presence in the Silence
I had been working as a hospital chaplain for just a few months, when one morning I visited a patient (let‚Äôs call her Joan) who was due to have complicated […]
Intention and Centering Prayer
Q: I have tried to practice Centering Prayer for a while. I have been wondering if my intent of receiving the inner peace and silence from practicing is a “legitimate” […]
Getting Serious about Spirituality and Health
Anything less than a contemplative perspective on lifeis an almost certain program for unhappiness. – Father Thomas Keating Recently a group from Las Vegas enjoyed […]
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Centering Prayer is …
Centering prayer is cuddling with Christ.Centering prayer is taking out the trash of the subconscious.Centering prayer is releasing a handful of helium balloons; a heart-full of joy.Centering prayer is laying […]
The Mind and Centering Prayer
Q: I know that the mind should be quiet, relaxed and empty during centering prayer, but I unsure of what our state of mind should be like. Should the mind […]
Sometimes I Am Goodness, Truth & Beauty
Sometimes, I am goodness, truth & beautyand sometimes I act upon another nature,superimposed on mea life mask over my innocent self,the mask is made of projections, assumptions, and judgements […]
