On workdays, my first Centering Prayer sit is at 5:45 a.m. I always feel some anxiety after I wake. Then I retreat to the basement, light a candle, […]
Centering Prayer as a Path of Return
“In returning and rest is my salvation.” Isaiah 30:15 When I was in the 7th grade I wrote a short story about a young girl who ran away […]
A Borderless Practice: The Interspiritual Invitation of Centering Prayer
“Deep prayer is the laying aside of thoughts. It is the opening of mind and heart, body and feelings—our whole being—to God, the Ultimate Mystery, beyond words, thoughts, […]
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The Sacred Breath
Throughout most of my contemplative practice, the breath has been my natural access point into realms of Divine expansion. So much so that it has become my sacred symbol […]
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The Birth of God Within
The birth narrative of Luke portrays Mary as the archetype of the Christian contemplative, whom Gabriel declares “full of grace” and “blessed among women” (Luke 1:28). For Luke, […]
Centering Prayer in Czechia and Slovakia
My first encounter with Centering Prayer was in 2010 in Cambridge, England, where I was taking a two-year course of study on The Art of Spiritual Direction. One of […]
What Goes On in the Inner Room?
When you pray, go to your inner room, close the door and pray to your Father in secret. And your Father, who sees in secret, will cause your life […]
Some Teeny Centering in the Tiny Hours
I left the bedroom at 1:43 am, confident my congested, snoring wife would happily sleep away the night on her own. I made for the guest room and quiet. […]
Finding Wonders in the Desert
Few go willingly into the desert. It is a harsh life, more about survival than comfort. The silence can blister like the noonday sun. But harsh does not mean […]
The Nameless Place
I enter what enters me, Reaching a place in me, yet not in me, Releasing me to extend beyond The sensed boundaries Of my being alone in the world. […]
Going Inside: An Elder Brother Learns the Father’s Embrace
The fifteen years since my conversion have found me testing and confirming Fr. Thomas Keating’s assertion that, “the false-self accompanies us, implacably, into whatever lifestyle we choose” (1). Raised […]
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Brief Contemplative Lessons from Meister Eckhart
Meister Eckhart was a Dominican friar who lived in fourteenth-century Germany. He was a contemplative engaged in preaching and teaching. When he preached, his sermons were subtle and sublime. […]
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Silence is Not Empty: It is Filled with God
I cannot imagine a better start to each day than a silent sit. When I practice Centering Prayer, I respond to God’s question, “Will you sit with me (Matthew […]
Tuning-in to Nature
If we take time to look and listen, nature provides space and oxygen to breathe, salve for our souls and encouragement for our spirits. However, to access that bounty, there […]
Introducing Centering Prayer and the Practice of Silence to Young Adults
At the end of October 2018, we attended the first retreat at Snowmass after the passing of Fr. Thomas Keating and Abbot Joseph Boyle. The retreat began just five days […]
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Desire and Everyday Mysticism
In our lives and in our prayer practice, we often unconsciously live out two different types of spirituality: 1) A spirituality of duty is focused on following the desire of […]
A Lenten Visio Divina at Gallery W83 in NYC
“this really happened” by Julie Shelton Snyder When it was time to exhibit the wood block prints that came out of her residency at the foot of Mt. Fuji in […]
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Sacred Pathways Into Centering Prayer
Welcoming the Body, Stilling the Mind, Opening the Heart Incarnating Breath, Gesture, Chant “The contemplative dimension is the heart and soul of every religion. It initiates the movement into […]
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How Contemplative Outreach of South Africa came into being
Our founder was Winnie Young, and in 1995 Fr Carl Arico (on his first of 4 visits) helped her establish an ad-hoc national committee. This was replaced in 1997 by […]
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Who Will Replace Thomas Keating?
Centering Prayer – I think it’s increasing, it’s burgeoning, and I think after my demise it’s likely to grow significantly, even more. I don’t know why, it’s just the nature […]
The Wind Beneath Our Wings
I first met that Irish monk years ago on the sidewalk. I was alone, hesitant, looking for belonging It was just the two of us standing there before Mass when […]
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Remembering Our Beloved
Well done,my good and faithful servant.Come, share my joy. – Matthew 25:21 As we mourn the passing of our beloved teacher, Fr. Thomas Keating, let us reflect on all that […]
Governing Board Updates
As Pat Johnson prepares to retire from her role as administrator of Contemplative Outreach Ltd. at the end of 2018, the governing board agreed by consensus to appoint her to […]
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Letter to Fr. Thomas from Ken Wilber
Here is a letter that Ken Wilber sent to Father Thomas shortly before he passed: Dearest Father Thomas, I‚Äôve been following your illness as it progresses, and, with so many […]
Feeling Into the Great Love and Spaciousness That Is the Being of Father Thomas Keating
My relationship with Fr. Thomas Keating has not been lengthy in terms of time but has been lasting in support for my practice and ministry and is embedded in my body as […]
