Q: Our Centering Prayer group in Ireland has been using the Welcoming prayer practice for a number of weeks after our period of Centering Prayer. There seems to be […]
Lectio Divina in a Centering Prayer Group
Q: What is effect of having a book discussion immediately after a Centering Prayer session with a group? I thought you shouldn’t engage in intellectual discussions. Are there guidelines […]
Spiritual Experiences in Centering Prayer
Q: I would like clarification of what appears to be a contradiction in Thomas Keating’s teaching. On the one hand, he says that perceptions are thoughts and therefore, to be […]
Centering Prayer and Arising Energies
Q: I have been practicing Centering Prayer for some time. Around two months ago during this prayer I had a strange experience. I felt some powerful force/energy entering my […]
The Second Movement of Welcoming Prayer
Q: Is step two of Welcoming Prayer — the opportunity to consent to the Divine Indwelling — the same thing as ‘casting your cares’ upon the Lord? A: Thanks for […]
Q&A Contributors
Fr. Carl J. Arico is a founding member of Contemplative Outreach, and honored to have known Fr. Keating since 1969. He was present for the first intensive Centering Prayer retreat that Fr. […]
Autism and the Practice of Centering Prayer
Q: I have autism but I’m highly functional. It seems like during Centering Prayer my mind/brain goes almost always to memories of my past. Are there any special recommendations for […]
What If I only have 15 minutes to practice?
Q: If I only have about 15 minutes a day to practice Centering Prayer, is this still beneficial? A: It is wonderful to dedicate some time to resting in God […]
Centering Prayer, Welcoming Prayer and Anger
Q: Centering Prayer has changed my life. At times it’s hard, though it does not get old. So thank you for this method of prayer. It helps me to […]
Judging our Practice
Q: I’ve been doing Centering Prayer for eight years now. I do two sessions of 20 minutes nearly every day. Sometimes I miss the 2nd sit, but that is […]
The Experience of Apathy
Q: I have been spending time with the Spiritual Journey program, and I just watched the video ‘Frustrations Caused by the Emotional Programs’ (from Part 2 of the ‘Human […]
Centering Prayer, Jesus Prayer, Welcoming Prayer
Q: Can I practice Centering Prayer as my main prayer (morning and afternoon) and during the day practice the Jesus prayer? Am I using two practices with different meanings and […]
Is Centering Prayer for the Non-Religious?
Q: I’m a practitioner of “A Course in Miracles” and other non-religious pathways. Can I or anyone that is not a traditional Christian practice Centering Prayer? Is Centering Prayer for […]
Centering Prayer and Yoga Nidra
Q: I would like to ask about the connection between Centering Prayer and Yoga Nidra. I once went on a three-day silent retreat where we did Centering Prayer three times a […]
Centering Prayer, Distractions and Discouragement
Q: I’ve been practising Centering Prayer for many years now and I still get very distracted and my mind is very busy and I rarely feel rested at the […]
Centering Prayer and Mental Health Challenges
Q: A very seminal moment/question for me. I have been in contemplative prayer practice daily for almost 10 years. I understand the “falling away” of the false self with devotion […]
Centering Prayer and Mental Health
Q: What articles and resources are available about Centering Prayer and mental health? A: We have a number of published Q&A’s that relate to this topic: https://www.contemplativeoutreach.org/2022/03/15/spiritual-depression-or-clinical-depression/ https://www.contemplativeoutreach.org/2021/12/20/welcoming-prayer-and-onset-of-mania-or-depression/ https://www.contemplativeoutreach.org/2020/08/16/dark-night-of-the-soul-and-clinical-depression/ https://www.contemplativeoutreach.org/2023/01/16/dealing-with-the-unloading-of-trauma-and-grief/ […]
Why is 20 Minutes Recommended for Centering Prayer?
Q: Why is 20 minutes the suggested time for contemplation? Historically has that always been the length? Any particular reason for 20 minutes? Can it be shorter? A: I answer […]
Can I Practice More Than One Form of Meditative Prayer?
Q: I’ve been meditating for about 10 years every day three or four times for about 30 minutes each. I’ve practiced mantra and just sitting or Shikantaza, Later on I’ve […]
Q&A with Fr. Carl J. Arico Archive: Related to Centering Prayer
On or related to Centering Prayer Q: I started doing Centering Prayer about a year and a half ago. I was quite strict about two 20 minute periods a day at the […]
Extending Time in Centering Prayer
Q: Our group had a recent discussion about increasing one’s practice to two to three hours per day. What insight does Contemplative Outreach have in regards to this type of extended practice? Our […]
Struggling to Practice Centering Prayer
Q: I am 83. At the age of about 70 I began practicing Centering Prayer. To my great surprise, I found it easy. I say this because previous attempts […]
Falling Asleep during Centering Prayer
Q: I am having a problem falling asleep during Centering Prayer. It may be attributable to age, but I am almost always dozing off, even in the mornings after […]
How Zen Contemplation Relates to Centering Prayer
Q: I’ve been practicing Zen meditation with a Christian group for 18 years. What is your view with respect to how Zen contemplation relates to Centering Prayer? The principles […]
The Original Blessing
Q: My grandchildren are being raised Baptist Faith. When I asked what made them want to be baptized by full immersion, I fully expected them to say “because they […]
