All of us have myriad stories to tell. Some involve our family history, spiritual journey, experiences in Nature, or a life-changing situation. Stories can take many forms, but the most […]
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 […]
Online Morning Centering Prayer Retreat program: “Ancient Christian Contemplation – Before ‘The Cloud of Unknowing’ “
Led by Steve Thompson (CONOVA) Have Christians always practiced contemplation? During the first 150 years of Christianity, most of those who can be loosely identified as Christian contemplatives were ignored […]
Intro to Centering Prayer Weekend Retreat
Whether your interest is deepening your relationship with God, relief from the stress of daily life, or learning about contemplative prayer, why not take some time this summer to learn and […]
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 […]
7-day Intensive/Post-Intensive Centering Prayer Retreat
Join Ann Koerner, CSA and Sandy Janowski for either a seven-day Intensive or Post-Intensive Centering Prayer retreat at the Siena Retreat Center on the beautiful shores of Lake Michigan in […]
Can I Practice More Than One Form of Meditative Prayer?
Q: I’ve been meditating for about 10 years every day three or four times for about 30 minutes each. I’ve practiced mantra and just sitting or Shikantaza, Later on I’ve […]
Why is 20 Minutes Recommended for Centering Prayer?
Q: Why is 20 minutes the suggested time for contemplation? Historically has that always been the length? Any particular reason for 20 minutes? Can it be shorter? A: I answer […]
1968: St. Joseph’s Abbey, Conversations with Fr. Thomas and My Near Death Experience
by Richard M. Dell’Orfano, California, USA Excerpt from Book 1, Chapter 27: Regarding my arrival in 1968 at St Joseph’s Abbey, meeting Fr Thomas, and my near-death experience. Route 9 […]
9-Day Intensive, Post Intensive Retreat
This retreat offers three tracks simultaneously: Intensive I, Intensive II and Post Intensive. For everyone, there will be 3 sets of two 30 minute periods of Centering Prayer daily. Intensive […]
