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Centering Prayer - Part I
>> Thursday, October 15, 2009
I know there is controversy in some circles about centering prayer, especially about Fr. Thomas Keating, who has written and taught extensively about centering prayer and is the founder of Contemplative Outreach.
However, I am not interested in getting into any battle. While I welcome different points of view, I am not writing this to defend centering prayer. It would be like trying to defend praying the rosary to someone. Or defend why someone may be contemplative or charismatic.
We are who God calls us to be. We pray the way God calls us to pray. Prayer is God's work. Our job is to show up and cooperate with God's grace.
To know if our prayer is authentic, we need to judge our prayer based on the fruits of the Holy Spirit and we need to guard our hearts at all times. We need to follow the guidance of the Holy Spirit who is the real Spiritual Director.
We are who God calls us to be. We pray the way God calls us to pray. Prayer is God's work. Our job is to show up and cooperate with God's grace.
To know if our prayer is authentic, we need to judge our prayer based on the fruits of the Holy Spirit and we need to guard our hearts at all times. We need to follow the guidance of the Holy Spirit who is the real Spiritual Director.
Am I an expert on centering prayer and contemplative prayer? NO. And if you are looking for an expert teaching here, this is not the place. However, I do have some background and credentials that are helpful here.
1. I have read many of Fr. Keating's books as well as other writers. I will include a list of resource materials in case anyone is interested in pursuing this more.
2. I am a spiritual director certified for both Charismatic Spiritual Direction and Contemplative Spiritual Companioning. As a spiritual director, I can explain centering prayer, share my experience and direct to other resources.
3. I practiced centering prayer on a daily basis for 11 plus years.
What Centering Prayer is Not:
1. It is not self hypnosis.
2. It is not New Age.
3. It is not putting oneself into some kind of trance or emptying one's mind.
4. It is not contemplation.
What Centering Prayer Is:
1. It is Christ centered, not self-centered.
2. It does prepare one to possibly receive the gift of contemplation.
2. It does prepare one to possibly receive the gift of contemplation.
3. It is silent prayer.
4. It is meant to add to your prayer life, not to replace any other kind of prayer.
Watch for Part II: My personal experience and explanation of centering prayer.
Resource Material:
12 comments:
Thank you for the priming! I look forward to part two (and three and four??) - :)
I am definitely interested in this topic - hope to see parts II & beyond soon!
Colleen,
A few years ago I went to a seminar given by one of our retired bishops. I enjoyed learning how to pray this way, although it was not something I stuck with as part of my regular prayer life.
I have read parts of the Cloud of Unknowing and find it prayerful and meditative.
I look forward to your future posts on this.
Thanks and God Bless!
Pip, you are most welcome. Part 2 is coming soon!
Karen, thank you for visiting and for letting me know you are interested. I wasn't sure if people would be.
Karinann, thanks for your comment. Cloud of Unknowing is prayerful for me too. Have not read it for a while. That is great that you were able to attend a seminar on centering prayer. It is good to learn about different kinds of prayer. Helps to discern where God is leading you.
I read Cloud of Unknowing many years ago. I'm interested in reading about your personal experiences with prayer, too :)
Thank you Mary. It is nice to have confirmation that I should write this. I wasn't sure. God bless.
Colleen, I think the way you have introduced this topic is full of wisdom. I am looking forward to further posts on this. I heard a speaker last week, a spiritual director with much background on St John of the Cross's dark night who said centering prayer is one of the tools to help others experienceing a dark night. Doesn't work for everyone but will for many. Thanks
Jean, seems like more people want to hear about this than I knew. You are right that centering prayer does not work for everyone. St John of the Cross was part of the reason I started centering prayer. I will get into that. Thanks for your kind remarks. God bless.
Count me in - I want more!
David, thank you! Look for Part 2 Monday or Tuesday. God bless!
Very interesting, I am looking forward to part two!
Thanks Shawntele. Part 2 should be ready and posted on Monday!
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