Centering Prayer
Centering Prayer is a method designed to facilitate the development of contemplative prayer by preparing our faculties to receive this gift. It presents ancient Christian wisdom teachings in an updated form. Centering Prayer is not meant to replace other kinds of prayer; rather it casts a new light and depth of meaning on them. It is at the same time a relationship with God and a discipline to foster that relationship. This method of prayer is a movement beyond conversation with Christ to communion with him.
The Four Guidelines to Centering Prayer
1. Choose a sacred word as the symbol of your intention to consent to God’s presence and action within.
2. Sitting comfortably and with eyes closed, settle briefly and silently introduce the sacred word as the symbol of your consent to God’s presence and action within.
3. When engaged with your thoughts, return ever-so-gently to the sacred word.
4. At the end of the prayer period, remain in silence with eyes closed for a couple of minutes.
The fundamental purpose of Centering Prayer and of Contemplative Outreach is to further the knowledge and experience of God’s love in the consciousness of the human family. Contemplative Outreach provides basic instruction in Centering Prayer and additional programs to sustain the development in contemplation and the process of transformation.
A commitment to the daily practice of Centering Prayer is the primary expression of belonging.
The purpose of our chapter is to:
Offer the Centering Prayer Introductory Program
Form Centering Prayer groups
Provide support to local Centering Prayer groups and facilitators.
Our chapter operates according to the Contemplative Outreach Vision, Theological Principles and Guidelines for Contemplative Outreach Service. Through this we experience a sense of community that is interactive interconnected, interdependent, and dynamic. A chapter aspires to function without a hierarchical structure and is designed to share Centering Prayer and its contemplative vision as widely as possible. We embrace the process of transformation in Christ, both in ourselves and in others, through the practice of Centering Prayer.
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Where does Centering Prayer come from?
In the 1970’s, Trappist monks (Order of Cistercians of the Strict Observance), Fathers Thomas Keating, M. Basil Pennington, and William A. Meninger, developed the simple method of silent prayer for contemporary people now known as centering prayer.
In 1984, along with Gustave Reininger and Edward Bednar, Father Thomas Keating co-founded Contemplative Outreach, Ltd., an international, ecumenical spiritual network that teaches the practice of Centering Prayer and Lectio Divina, a method of prayer drawn from the Christian contemplative tradition. Contemplative Outreach provides a support system for those on the contemplative path through a wide variety of resources, workshops, and retreats.
Contemplative Outreach is a spiritual network of individuals and small faith communities committed to living the contemplative dimension of the Gospel. The common desire for Divine transformation, primarily expressed through a commitment to a daily Centering Prayer practice, unites our international, interdenominational community.
Today, Contemplative Outreach annually serves over 40,000 people; supports over 120 active contemplative chapters in 39 countries; supports over 800 prayer groups; teaches over 15,000 people the practice of Centering Prayer and other contemplative practices through locally-hosted workshops; and provides training and resources to local chapters and volunteers. We also publish and distribute the wisdom teachings of Fr. Thomas Keating and other resources that support the contemplative life.
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