The practice of Centering Prayer deepens our awareness of the Oneness of all creation and our compassion for the whole human family. – Theological Principle #12 At a recent […]
Length of an Intensive Retreat
Q: I’m exploring how/if I can organize my life for an intensive retreat. As I look there seems to be a standard of a nine-day retreat and then some […]
What are we Welcoming?
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 […]
Prompted to Incarnate
by Carolyn Goddard Nashville, Tennesee, USA The first time I entered St. Bernard’s Convent, it was through the back door. I was teaching at St. Bernard’s High School; the […]
Thomas Keating’s Call to Wisdom
“ May the next years see the increase of Centering Prayer, and the creative addition of other Wisdom aspects that might enhance what we are doing, or at least […]
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 […]
Centering Prayer and The Chipped Cup
Have you ever experienced a time in your life when you felt emotional darkness, unsure if you would ever see light again? A single phone call from my distraught […]
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 […]
The Facilitator, the Judge and the Three-Year Old
by Cissy Eyre Milford, Ohio “I said, and said, and said those words. I said them but I lied them.” ~Dr. Seuss I’m sitting snug on the couch early […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
The Agnesian Creed
by Tom Agness New York, USA My thanks to Richard Rohr, one of my hero theologians, who has suggested we all develop our own personal creed. This is mine. […]
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/ […]
Cultivating a ‘Contemplative Life’
by Sue Fox McGovern The members of a Centering Prayer group in Park Ridge, Illinois, USA say they have never felt closer to one another. Perhaps it’s because some […]
