Q: Zoom has surely opened up new possible ways to practice together in these rather isolating times; for this I am grateful! At the same time, I must admit […]
Centering Prayer and Music
Q: When I Center I sometimes listen to music just to calm me down if I am not already in a peaceful state. Lately, I have been experiencing God […]
God’s Action Within
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? […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 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 […]
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 […]
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 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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
The Use of a Sacred Image During Centering Prayer
Q: I am a trying to get a handle on Centering Prayer. Is it OK … to use the imagery that comes into my head when I sit, e.g., God […]
The Goal of Centering Prayer
Q: When I was in college in the late 60's, I used psychedelic drugs a number of times. Now when I pray with Centering Prayer, I find myself […]
Experiencing Peace in Centering Prayer
Q: People practicing Centering Prayer speak of experiencing a sense of peace. Can you please comment? A: The word peace can have different meanings, but what does it mean in the […]
Centering Prayer and Other Types of Meditation
Q: I did Centering Prayer for some years but with family (care-giving) responsibilities, I stopped because my head was always spinning and I couldn’t get centered. So, I will soon go on a […]
Often I am more aware of my pulse than my breath
Q: I have used the sacred word and the sacred breath at different times in my practice of centering prayer. But often I am more aware of my pulse than […]
It seems the interest to do Centering Prayer has died
Q: I had been practicing Centering Prayer since 2008. But for the past year it seems the interest to do it has died. I would rather say the rosary or […]
Eight Contemplative Attitudes and Centering Prayer
Q: I am reading all I can about the process…as well as doing it twice daily.. I have examined closely the “contemplative attitudes” such as opening/gentleness/simplicity etc…. is it ok […]
Books, Retreats and Centering Prayer
Q: I've been doing Centering Prayer faithfully for over 20 years. In the first 10-15 years I was hungry for information and read just about every book on spirituality and […]
The Contemplative Dimension of Giving
Q: During this time when giving has so much to do with emptying shelves and wallets, what is the contemplative dimension of giving? A: When I reflect on the word […]
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