In 2020 we presented a Centering Prayer workshop for the first time on Zoom. Afterward, one of our friends mused, “Now that it’s possible to reach people who live […]
Challenging People in Prayer Groups
Q: I facilitate a contemplation group and there is a challenging man who clearly has anger issues and likes to argue about whatever has been read. How should I […]
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Contemplation, Centering Prayer and ADHD
Q: I have ADHD and I love to use the ideas from the book Praying in Color. Am I praying contemplatively if I use paint or drawing to center […]
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Chronic Pain and Chronic Illness: Wisdom for the Journey
For all the people who suffer from chronic pain and/or chronic illness, it is a beast. Sometimes pain and other symptoms can make me just want to curl up […]
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A Science Project or a Poem?
A person is not a science project to be examined, analyzed or dissected. A person cannot be known with the clarity and exactness of a lab experiment. A person […]
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Centering Prayer and Sleepiness
Q: I have been practicing Centering Prayer for approximately 8 months now. During the last few months I get very sleepy during the prayer (especially the second session) and […]
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40th Anniversary Conference Reflections
The 40th Anniversary conference was a time of telling stories, stories of how Father Thomas touched our lives, maybe from one of his books, or a video or maybe […]
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Faith and Science Conference
By Jan Masterson, Contemplative Network Director Communications Contemplative Outreach, Ltd. (COL) and Contemplative Network, Inc. (CN) share a history. In 1986, COL established Houston as one of its first chapters. […]
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A Journey of Many Parts
by Elaine Walker, Ireland I have walked 11 different Camino routes in Spain since 2012. It is a path I am compelled to do, although I often don’t always enjoy […]
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Centering Prayer and Unloading of the Unconscious
Q: I am 76 years old and belong to a recovery program. I have read several of Fr Keating’s books on Centering Prayer and by Fr Pennington. I practice […]
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Remain in My Love
by Brad Huard Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA It was late summer when we sold our house and moved into an apartment. After 22 years in the same home, I found […]
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Remaining Grounded in the Heart
Q: Thank you for your articles and questions and answers on trauma and depression alongside Centering Prayer. I have encountered people suffering with trauma and depression, perhaps everyone has trauma. […]
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The Treasure of Hiddenness
by Mary Jane Yates, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and […]
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Teaching Children Centering Prayer
by Jan Reed Austin, Texas USA At University United Methodist Church in Austin, for the last nine years, I have been teaching Centering Prayer at Vacation Church Camp for children, […]
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Attending Church Services as Contemplative Practice
Q: I find it difficult to endure an hour of Sunday Mass, unless the priest happens to be an involving speaker. Many years ago, I effectively left the Catholic Church […]
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Centering Prayer and Sexual Thoughts
Q: My experience with Centering Prayer in the last few years is that often when I sit down and close my eyes, sexual thoughts and images come in that […]
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Centering Prayer and Sacred Circle Dance
by Suzi Kindervatter Centering Prayer has been my core spiritual practice for a more than twenty years. But over the past decade or so, I’ve also been drawn a […]
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Centering Prayer and Unloading
Q: Can fears, anxiety etc. occur during sleep or just during the sit time? I have been practicing Centering Prayer about two years. I often wake in the middle […]
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Opening to the Heartbreak of the World: An Experiment in Expanding Practice
by Mary Jane Yates, Alberta, Canada I have heard from those who knew him that Fr. Thomas was fond of using the word “experiment” when it came to discerning […]
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Introductory Day to Centering Prayer in the Capuchin Friars Monastery in Bratislava on United in Prayer Saturday 2024
by Teresie Viera Hašanová, CO Czechia-Slovakia I think there was no better way to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Contemplative Outreach community and honour Fr. Thomas Keating´s birthday (March 7) […]
Choosing a Sacred Word
Q: For my sacred word is it okay to use the four words QUE QUE SERA QUORA? This has helped me get through many confusing stresses and uncertainty. I […]
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Logging
by Bob Brown Thousand Oaks, California, USA For the past 73 years, I’ve been a participant in the human condition, both as recipient and contributor. In 1997, a woman […]
Message from the Board Team
by the Contemplative Outreach Board As members of the Contemplative Outreach Board, we are volunteers who offer our time and service in an effort to support and advocate for […]
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An Insight
by Martina Weber Echzell, Germany Six years ago I read a lot about the Welcoming Prayer and tried to integrate it into my then beginning Centering Prayer practice. It […]