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We Are Always Returning

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Opening Minds, Opening Hearts Podcast Season 4 Episode 5 with Colleen Thomas and Mark Dannenfelser

 

Title: We Are Always Returning

 

"Centering Prayer is not a magic carpet ride to bliss. It's a transformative process. It involves the death of the false self."

- Father Thomas Keating

 

We're back after a short break, and we're now at the mid-season mark of season four. In this episode, we step back from guest conversations to reflect on what we've been learning and the themes that have emerged so far.

 

We explore what it means to bring our pain into the light, reflecting on suffering as a kind of fracture and separation, and unpacking the paradox that we are already whole while also needing to do the patient work of dismantling the false self. And at the heart of it all, we consider why we are always returning: to the sacred word, to our wholeness, to each other, and to God.

 

"It's all connected. We're constantly being challenged to recognize wholeness in us and in one another and in the world. So we're always returning, and the [Centering Prayer] practice does that too. When we realize we're caught up in some thought or idea, we return to the sacred word."

- Mark Dannenfelser

 
In this episode we explore:
  • The difference between Centering Prayer as stress relief or self-care, and as a transformative process that brings us into encounter with our real human pain. 
  • The paradox at the heart of divine therapy: that we must first know our basic goodness before we can safely face the false self and shadow material that needs healing.
  • The reality that transformation is not linear but more like a rollercoaster, with its ups and downs and moments of sheer terror.
  • Why community, whether in Centering Prayer groups, psychotherapy, 12-step programs, or spiritual direction, is not optional but essential to the healing journey. 
  • The integration of body and spirit in healing, and why Eastern contemplative practices that accompany sitting meditation with movement can offer wisdom to the Christian tradition. 
  • A preview of the second half of the season, which will explore the role of the body in healing and deepen the conversation around shadow work and psychospiritual healing.

 

"Transformation really implies something much deeper and maybe at times even terrifying. In the practice of sitting, we open ourselves to the presence and action of God within us. But we've learned through this season that this openness is only possible when we perceive that presence as loving and safe."

- Colleen Thomas

 
To connect further with us:  
Season 4 of Opening Minds, Opening Hearts was made possible in part by a grant from the Trust for the Meditation Process, a charitable foundation encouraging meditation, mindfulness, and contemplative prayer. We are extremely grateful for the support of the Trust for the Meditation Process and would be grateful for any additional support that you, as a listener, might offer. Your donation helps Contemplative Outreach to continue freely sharing the wisdom of the contemplative tradition and Centering Prayer to all who are interested.

If you are a grateful and generous listener who would like to support this podcast, please visit: contemplativeoutreach.org/opening-minds-opening-hearts-podcast-donation/ to make a donation of any amount.

 

Listen to the Opening Minds, Opening Hearts Podcast NOW for FREE on YouTube, Apple, Google, Amazon and more!

This season of Opening Minds, Opening Hearts is produced by 🫶🏾 Rachael Sanya 🫶🏾 👉🏽 rachelsanya.com

				Opening Minds, Opening Hearts Podcast Season 4 Episode 5 with Colleen Thomas and Mark Dannenfelser
Title: We Are Always Returning
"Centering Prayer is not a magic carpet ride to bliss. It's a transformative process. It involves the death of the false self."
— Father Thomas Keating 
We're back after a short break, and we're now at the mid-season mark of season four.  In this episode, we step back from guest conversations to reflect on what we've been learning and the themes that have emerged so far.

We explore what it means to bring our pain into the light, reflecting on suffering as a kind of fracture and separation, and unpacking the paradox that we are already whole while also needing to do the patient work of dismantling the false self. And at the heart of it all, we consider why we are always returning: to the sacred word, to our wholeness, to each other, and to God. 

"It's all connected. We're constantly being challenged to recognize wholeness in us and in one another and in the world. So we're always returning, and the [Centering Prayer] practice does that too. When we realize we're caught up in some thought or idea, we return to the sacred word." 
– Mark Dannenfelser  

In this episode, we explore: 
The difference between Centering Prayer as stress relief or self-care, and as a transformative process that brings us into encounter with our real human pain. 
The paradox at the heart of divine therapy: that we must first know our basic goodness before we can safely face the false self and shadow material that needs healing.
The reality that transformation is not linear but more like a rollercoaster, with its ups and downs and moments of sheer terror.
Why community, whether in Centering Prayer groups, psychotherapy, 12-step programs, or spiritual direction, is not optional but essential to the healing journey. 
The integration of body and spirit in healing, and why Eastern contemplative practices that accompany sitting meditation with movement can offer wisdom to the Christian tradition. 
A preview of the second half of the season, which will explore the role of the body in healing and deepen the conversation around shadow work and psychospiritual healing.
"Transformation really implies something much deeper and maybe at times even terrifying. In the practice of sitting, we open ourselves to the presence and action of God within us. But we've learned through this season that this openness is only possible when we perceive that presence as loving and safe." – Colleen Thomas

To connect further with us:
Visit our website: www.contemplativeoutreach.org
Find us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/prayerofconsent/
Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/prayerofconsent/
Check out our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/coutreach 

Season 4 of Opening Minds, Opening Hearts was made possible in part by a grant from the Trust for the Meditation Process, a charitable foundation encouraging meditation, mindfulness, and contemplative prayer.

We are extremely grateful for their support [of TMP] and would be grateful for any additional support that you, as a listener, might offer. Your donation helps Contemplative Outreach [us] to freely offer the wisdom of the contemplative tradition and Centering Prayer to all who are interested.
If you are a grateful listener and would like to support this podcast, go to: https://www.contemplativeoutreach.org/opening-minds-opening-hearts-podcast-donation/ to make a donation of any amount.

This season of Opening Minds, Opening Hearts is produced by Rachael Sanya


APPLE PODCAST SUMMARY
We're back after a short break, and we're now at the mid-season mark of season four.  In this episode, we step back from guest conversations to reflect on what we've been learning and the themes that have emerged so far.

We explore what it means to bring our pain into the light, reflecting on suffering as a kind of fracture and separation, and unpacking the paradox that we are already whole while also needing to do the patient work of dismantling the false self. And at the heart of it all, we consider why we are always returning: to the sacred word, to our wholeness, to each other, and to God.
To connect further with us:
Visit our website: www.contemplativeoutreach.org
Find us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/prayerofconsent/
Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/prayerofconsent/
Check out our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/coutreach 
 
Stream and Download the Opening Minds, Opening Hearts Podcast NOW for FREE on Apple Podcast, Amazon and Spotify!