Q: I have been practicing Centering Prayer off and on for several years, last year almost everyday. I have recently been experiencing tears/crying for no apparent reason. Please advise. […]
Body Sensations and Unloading
Q: I haven’t been a practitioner of Centering Prayer very long; or rather, I haven’t been as disciplined as I sometimes desire. However, I want to ask about my body’s […]
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Transitioning from Mindfulness to Centering Prayer
Q: I’ve been practicing mindfulness for many years. A carryover from this practice is the tendency for a beautiful pulsating image to manifest in the area between my eyebrows a […]
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Lectio Divina and Imposed Sabbath Rest
When I was first asked to write about Lectio Divina in this time of crisis, many thoughts came to mind. Firstly, we are in the liturgical season of Easter […]
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A Movement of Grace: Contemplative Spiritual Companionship Program
“Welcome to this sacred circle, where each of us is invited to access the silent place within us where the Divine Presence awaits us.”[1] With these words, Fr. Thomas […]
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Tears During Centering Prayer
Q: Sometimes during Centering Prayer, an emotional pain comes up that causes me to cry from a deep level. Is this Divine Therapy or is it the “emotionality” teachers […]
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Centering Prayer and Mindfulness Meditation
Q: I’m at times confusing Centering Prayer with mindfulness meditation. At times when I’m doing Centering Prayer, I find that I’m focusing on my breath and I know I’m […]
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How Centering Prayer is Changing the World: A Love Letter from the Dominican Republic
We embrace the process of transformation in Christ, both in ourselves and in others, through the practice of Centering Prayer – Contemplative Outreach vision A brief history of […]
Digging A Well of Presence in the Parish
by Amber Sturgess Recent years have brought about major paradigm shifts in our institutions, including our churches. During the pandemic many of our parishes had to close to the public, […]
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Blending Prayer Practices
Q: I’ve practiced Centering Prayer on and off for years. Same with Lectio Divina and the Liturgy of the Hours. Now I’m trying to blend them into an integrate […]
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The Sacred Word in Centering Prayer
Q: I have found it difficult to use just one word as I meditate. A simple 3-word phrase – that resonates strongly with me – is most comfortable for me. […]
Centering Prayer and Disabled Adults
Q: I have a 50 year old sister with Williams’ Syndrome (similar to Downs Syndrome – different chromosome). My mother and father cared for her, until my mother recently died. […]
Regarding Prayers of Petition
Q: If I pray to remove sickness or pain, am I refusing God? If I am to offer up my pain, how can I pray that it go away? Or […]
Celebrating 25 Years of Contemplative Practices
“Celebrating 25 Years of Silence, Solitude, Solidarity and Service” — this was the theme of Contemplative Outreach Philippine’s anniversary event from Nov. 4 to Nov. 10, 2015 at the […]
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Abiding with Unloading
Q: From a prisoner in minimum isolation: “I have been working on Centering Prayer. It started off easy. For about three months it was happening with no mental or physical […]
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Guiding a Centering Prayer Group in Jail
by Tom Cook I have been guiding a Centering Prayer (CP) class for the last year at DuPage County Correctional Facility in Wheaton, Illinois (USA). I have been amazed and […]
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Reflections on Service
All who serve seek to be attuned to the needs and concerns of the whole community, whether individuals, small prayer groups, or local chapters. – Contemplative Outreach Guideline […]
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The Prayer Phrase and Praying Without Ceasing
What longing there is in wanting to pray without ceasing! We stumble on that boulder-filled road forgetting, remembering, forgetting and remembering again. Contemplative tradition tells us that help can […]
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Using the Spiritual Journey Series for Ongoing Enrichment
Two different prayer groups – one on Zoom and one in-person, share their experience and approach to using the Spiritual Journey videos. Note that the entire series is freely […]
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Letting God Lead the Relationship
Q: My attempts at Centering Prayer have not been particularly good. Though I do believe that any attempts to connect with God are honoured and I know at times I […]
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Practical Steps for Self-Knowledge
Q: Our Centering Prayer group has been studying The Cloud of Unknowing translated by Carmen Acevedo Butcher. In chapter 14, pg 42, we are told to “Get to know […]
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How Masks Reveal Our True Selves
by Charles Fiore It had been my lifelong habit, when greeting friends or strangers, to grin madly like an animatronic clown—all teeth. I used to think this made me seem […]
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Centering Prayer and Posture
Q: Can you lie down in Centering Prayer? A: Thank you for your question. At some point, we all wonder if it is okay to lay down during Centering Prayer. Centering […]
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Pray As You Can
Q: Is it ok to do the Centering Prayer just before bed? A: I decided to consult with our ecumenical Centering Prayer group at Saint Vincent’s church, Bayonne New Jersey, […]
Dark Night of the Soul and Clinical Depression
Q: I’d like to know more about the dark night of the soul and how it differentiates from clinical depression. A: Thank you so much for asking this question. Many […]
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