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 […]
The Integrity of the Teaching of the Centering Prayer Method
The integrity of the teaching of the Centering Prayer method is presented in the four guidelines and its conceptual background as described in the Method of Centering Prayer brochure. Additional […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Centering Prayer & the Process of Transformation
I often think about these words from Jesus, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them. For the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” […]
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 […]
In Memory of Mary Mrozowski: An Exemplar of a Lay Contemplative
Mary Mrozowski died on October 18, 1993. In honor of the 25th anniversary of Mary’s death and her contribution to the contemplative dimension of life, we offer these free recordings of her […]
Going Deeper
I have practiced Centering Prayer for many years, but the most profound changes in my attitudes were effected by the presence of Father Thomas and friendship with him. It […]
What is “Collaboration” and When is It Needed?
An exploration of collaboration in the context of the relationship model by Mary Jane Yates In this new world of online prayer groups and events, the number of […]
Contemplative Walks
The Centering Prayer group at St. Thomas More parish in Sarasota, Florida, USA, started doing one hour contemplative walks on a Saturday afternoon in a local wooded area followed […]
Art as Prayer
Using a few colored pencils, black paper, and a journal our Centering Prayer Group in Hawaii has been responding to the Lectio Divina portion of our weekly Centering Prayer practice […]
Hosting a Facilitator Workshop
CONTEMPLATIVE OUTREACH (CO) PITTSBURGH FACILITATOR WORKSHOP CO Pittsburgh planned an in-person Facilitator Workshop in 2019 to introduce the newly-developed online video formation materials for Facilitator Training. A link to […]
The Unfolding of a Spiritual Memoir
Many years ago, I started the practice of journaling almost everyday. I needed to be aware and compassionate concerning my own feelings and my challenging profession. I was responsible […]
Blessings from Behind the Bars: Centering Prayer in Prison
In 2006, my late wife, Kate, four other psychotherapists, a cognitive behavioral trainer, and myself began a program at Travis County Correctional Center in Austin entitled LifeTools¬©. It provided psychological, […]
Contemplative Group Spiritual Direction via Zoom
by Carol Fryer Editor’s note: Many Centering Prayer group participants experience the organic nature of ongoing soul-friending, a deep witnessing of each other’s journeys during a time of sacred sharing and […]
A Call for Essays on the Fruits of Centering Prayer: How Centering Prayer is Changing the World
Centering Prayer changes lives, as many of us have experienced first-hand. Sometimes mountains move in the silent stillness when we consent to God’s presence and action within and, over […]
Remembering Nestor de Armas
“Are we having fun yet”? This was Nestor’s way of greeting people in meetings and workshops. With these words, always accompanied with a broad smile and twinkle in his […]
Zoom Prayer and Support: How Two Meditation Chapel Groups Meet the Need for Contemplative Community in Our Virtual Age
Two years ago Contemplative Outreach hosted a Global Introductory Workshop on Centering Prayer in the midst of the pandemic. Several hundred people from around the world tuned in to […]
Thoughts About Thoughts
by Eben Carsey, Boulder, Colorado, USA The Centering Prayer method is a prayer of intention to consent to the being, presence, and action of God within. During prayer, thoughts arise. In the […]
In Memory of Ilse Reissner (English & Español)
1929 – 2021 HER HISTORY IN EXTENSION CONTEMPLATIVA INTERNACIONAL The history of the Spanish Centering Prayer Groups in Central Florida starts in 1991, when Ilse Reissner moved to Altamonte […]
Our Contemplative Practices Move to Zambia
by Fionnuala Quinn O.P. Dublin, Ireland During this time of pandemic, when globally the life of every citizen has been disrupted and our personal connections with people very much […]
Father Thomas: Gently Waiting for the Beginning
For most of the last 30 years, our abba, Father Thomas, has been an indefatigable whirlwind jetting around the world teaching, leading retreats, writing books and preaching the good news […]
The Unitive Way: Seeing Creation from God’s Perspective
by George R. Gerardi “A new period in evolutionary history seems to be emerging that calls us to transcend our rational powers with their desires for security and survival, power […]
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