The carmelite tradition and centering prayer christian meditation. Practices primarily as a spiritual discipline for thousands of years in nearly every religious path, meditation helps one deepen awareness and understanding of the sacred and mystical forces of the universe and of life. He has a graduate degree in transpersonal counseling psychology and has taught at leading retreat centers around the country. The carmelite tradition and centering prayer page 50 the carmelite tradition and centering prayer christian meditation introduction.
Centering prayer is a contemporary name given to an ancient practice of meditation within the christian tradition. However, the intended end result is the same for both. Read scriptures regularly and study open mind, open heart. Core teachings and meditations for deepening our relationship with god. However, as keating and others have acknowledged, prior to developing the practice of.
Christian mindfulness centering prayer meditation v 2. Since we practice both at crossroads, what follows is hybrid version of centering prayer and meditation. It is a movement beyond conversation with christ to communion. The method of centering prayer part 1, by thomas keating. The carmelite tradition and centering prayer christian. This companion audio program created to be equally rewarding as a standalone guide gives listeners an immersive resource to learn contemplative prayer. Its outside in closed dualistic belief systems slowly suffocated my spirit. Jul 18, 2011 i had tried centering prayer previously without any ongoing guidance and did not stay with it.
I dont like centering prayer and ive seldom used it. There is no attainment for bodhisattvas as they pursue the perfection of wisdom. Christian contemplative practice and centering prayer similar in many ways to meditation in other spiritual traditions, centering prayer is a method of silent, wordless prayer that comes out of the christian contemplative tradition. My account begins in midstream of my religious life, in the mid 1970s, with my introduction to centering prayer. Free guided centering meditation script pdf file included.
Pdf centering prayer meditations download full pdf book. Pdf download centering prayer meditations free ebooks pdf. My personal centering prayer journey i began my centering prayer journey on a cold winter saturday in 1991 at a workshop retreat to the chicago cenacle retreat center. Yet few empirical studies have been conducted on the health effects of judeochristian contemplative prayer practices. The centering prayer movement is a relatively new phenomenon in the church, but it has become remarkably widespread. Blackie within the christian tradition, there is a wide range of tried and tested approaches that facilitate. Virtually all methods of meditation have a goal of expanding, or deepening, the consciousness of the practitioner. The foundations for centering prayer and the christian. A centering prayer meditation led and explained by paula jenkins of. Neither is it meditation in the christian sense, since it turns away from thoughts, rather than pondering the faith. Do you have a preference between calling it centering prayer or contemplative prayer. Please share with courageous priest any comments, concerns, or personal experience with centering prayer.
Extending the effects of centering prayer into daily life 1. Centering prayer is a method of prayer, which prepares us to receive the gift of gods presence, traditionally called contemplative prayer. Zen buddhist emptiness and christian centering prayer. This is the deeper and more simple consciousness that allows us to know that we can love and be loved and that we are all in love. The process of meditation is the opening of the eye of the heart. Centering prayer is grounded in relationship with god, through christ, and is. I call it contemplative meditation according to the cloud of unknowing. Part 2 will outline how to do a contemplative prayer practice. This means that you shouldnt feel like youre in a hurry. Proponents argue against this and maintain it is rooted in roman catholic or church tradition. Since contemplation is a gift that we can only receive, centering prayer cannot be contemplation. This paper is a bit of narrative theology, something of my personal journey over the last twentyfive or thirty years trying to practice meditation and contemplation.
A different way of knowing prayer unedited transcript as the center for action and contemplation, we seek to ground compassionate action in contemplative, nondual consciousness. It is a unique multiformat programme that provides direct training in contemplative practice as well as a treasury of wisdom from the teachings of thomas keating. A centering prayer is an initial step of a contemplative prayer. It is a method of silent prayer that prepares us to receive the gift of contemplative prayer, prayer in which we experience the divines immanent presence with us.
The most optimal way to prepare for a guided centering meditation is to adjust this session to the time you have available. David frenettes book the path of centering prayer reenergized the centering prayer tradition with its fresh insights and teachings. Jan 18, 2018 the idea that the self and god are the same thing should eliminate centering prayer as an option for catholics. But there is a second reason why centering prayer is incompatible with catholic teaching.
Are we praying actively, calling on our human resources under the. Centering prayer is a method designed to facilitate the development of contemplative prayer by preparing our faculties to cooperate with this gift. It initiates the reader into a deep, living relationship with god. This centering meditation script will help you relax your anxious mind and center you from the inside. Contemplative prayer also known as christian meditation, the prayer of the heart, centering prayer is. The contemplative society focuses on centering prayer, a surrender method of meditation, or contemplative prayer, that reaches back to the early. Practicing centering prayer and inner awakening the. Centering prayer is not meant to replace other kinds of prayer. What distinguishes a surrender method 21 of meditation from concentrative and awareness methods. Centering prayer and eastern religious practice one of the primary concerns raised about centering prayer is its basis in eastern meditation practices. Centering prayer is a method of prayer of silent prayer, which prepares our faculties to receive the gift of contemplative prayer. Introduction to contemplative prayer a brief history contemplative prayer also known as christian meditation, the prayer of the heart, centering prayer is a kind of silent gazing on god, an exploration into the limitless mystery that is god. Guidelines for centering prayerthomas keafing ocso.
For many people, these retreats introduce them to the idea of deep prayer. Centering prayer, also known as contemplative prayer and listening prayer, is the practice of relaxing, emptying the mind, and letting ones self find the presence of god within. May 20, 2002 it initiates the reader into a deep, living relationship with god. Purchase our guided medications to help you find your center, get to sleep, find your intention and goodness, and much more. But the practice of a nonconceptual meditation centering prayer initiates a process that may go on for a lifetime. Centering prayer and christian meditation the still point. Centering prayer is not a trick to reduce stress or reach some other selfhelp goal. Centering prayer meditations audiobook by david frenette. Introduction to contemplative prayer st stephen norwich.
On the first wednesday of each month we enjoy a 20minute sit, a short meditation walk, a second sit, and then we leave in silence. The principal method of centering prayer is to sit down. Contemplative prayer is a process of interior purification leading, if we consent, to divine union. I had read of the practice of centering prayer, heard of the practice in seminary, and had even been invited to. Pdf centering prayer is a contemplative practice pioneered by thomas keating. Centering prayer and attention of the heart cynthia bourgeault i n the thirty years now since centering prayer first moved beyond the walls of st. I cant ever remember a time where i looked forward to the practice even though i do it every day twice a day. There he is, supposedly, to experience the presence of the god who indwells him. Welcome to the community of new york city centering prayer practitioners.
Start your day by praying with others20 minutes of silent centering prayer, followed by 40 minutes of reading and discussion on prayer or spirituali. I also like to say that prayer is talking to god and meditation is listening to god. To this day, many parishes host centering prayer retreats or prayer groups, usually sponsored by contemplative outreach. If youre new to meditation, you can start with five minutes, but traditionally. Let me not hesitate to meditate, or compose a careful response to your presence, but allow what comes naturally, crying out the only word i need. Rather, it adds depth of meaning to all prayer and facilitates the movement from more active modes of prayer verbal, mental or affective prayer into a receptive prayer of resting in god. In the centering prayer, the practitioner focuses on a word and repeats that word over and over for the duration of the exercise. It is an attempt to present the teaching of earlier time e. Start your day by praying with others20 minutes of silent centering prayer, followed by 40 minutes of reading and discussion on prayer or spirituality.
The modern centering prayer movement in christianity can be traced to several books published by three trappist monks of st. I describe contemplative prayer as the ultimate meditation. Centering prayer is a receptive method of silent prayer or meditation. If you dont know cp, it is simply meditation where when you become aware of a thought, you release it, by the use of a short word, silently spoken. A suppor t grou p pr aying and shar ing toge ther once a week h elps maint ain ones commitmen t to the pra yer. This method of prayer is both a relationship with god and a discipline to foster that relationship.
This study contributes to research in this underdeveloped area by exploring the outcome of a contemporary form. Special attention is paid to the role of the sacred word, christian growth and transformation, and active prayer. In this talk were emphasising the method, and so you ould easily get stu k on well, how to do the method just right. A former trappist monk who had become a transcendental meditation teacher also gave a session to the monks. Most faith traditions have some form of meditation or contemplation. The source of centering prayer, as in all methods leading to contemplative prayer, is the indwelling trinity. It involves silence, stillness, patience, sometimes repeating something, and the practice of not. Part 1 of this post will explain what is contemplative prayer. It is at the same time a rela tion ship with god a nd a discipline to foster that relationship.
Eastern forms of meditation have been widely studied for their effectiveness in stress management walsh and shapiro american psychologist 61. Free guided centering meditation script pdf file included this centering meditation script will help you relax your anxious mind and center you from the inside. Centering prayer recommended books to read contemplative prayer christian meditation deeper life catholic books spiritual formation free pdf books prayer book finding grace at the center. Our centering prayer group meets each wednesday evening at 7 pm. Contemplative outreach of new york city sponsors and publicizes events and groups devoted to the practice of centering prayer, a method of contemplative prayer in which we rest silently in the presence of god. When you experience the reality of your oneness with god, others, and creation, actions of. Zen buddhist emptiness and christian centering prayer recently ken mcleod presented freedom of choice as a way to differentiate forms of spiritual materialism and emotional escapism from serious buddhist practice. Pdf a phenomenological investigation of centering prayer using. This article outlines an easilypracticed grounding meditation. This method of prayer is both a relationship with god and a discipline to foster that. If you arent experienced with meditation, i suggest. David frenette has been a longtime teacher of centering prayer and contemplative meditation, as well as a friend and advisor of father thomas keating for 34 years. Every lent is an invitation to go deeper into that process. These two practices work together to create a sense of calm and stability.
When i discovered the world community for christian meditation and the teaching of john main and laurence freeman along with the weekly meditation support group, i was able to stay with the practice. Centering prayer is popping up within the emerging church movement. Either sitting on a chair with your feet rooted to the floor or sitting crosslegged directly on the floor, come to a comfortable and rooted position. It consists of responding to the spirit of christ by consenting to. Centering prayer is a method of meditation used by christians placing a strong emphasis on interior silence.
On the other evenings, we follow a single sit with a discussion that usually focuses on a book or video related to centering prayer and meditation by. Loving search for god william meninger, centering prayer. Begin practicing this prayerful meditation in steps. The focus of centering prayer is the deepening of our relationship with the living christ. It consists of responding to the spirit of christ by. Centering prayer as a healing response to everyday stress. Centering prayer is rooted in the word of god, both in scripture and in the person of jesus christ.
The following presentation on centering prayer, a practice of christian meditation, has been developed and is taught by contemporary outreach, a spiritual network of individuals and small faith communities, living the contemplative dimension of christian life through the practice of centering prayer. Centering prayerwhich is both a way of relating with god and a discipline to. This companion audio programcreated to be equally rewarding as a standalone guidegives listeners an immersive resource to learn contemplative prayer, step by step and in the moment. Meditation is the ancient practice of stilling the mind. I have been doing centering prayer for over five years now yet it never seems to get easier. Its practice expands ones receptivity to the presence and activity of god in ones life. In centering prayer one moves beyond words and images to a form of interior prayer beyond thoughts however noble or pious and the senses. Evolving out of our monday meditation, well begin with a short reading of a devotion and group response, followed by guided centering prayer to create a shared space for interior silence.
In this paper i propose to interface the carmelite tradition on contemplative prayer and two popular forms of contemplative practice called centering prayer and christian meditation. Contemplative appendix to the daily meditations center. Warnings on the dangers of centering prayer what have the vatican, recent popes, exorcists, and saints said about the dangers of practicing centering prayer. Many people assume centering prayer is compatible with catholic tradition, but in fact the techniques of centering prayer are neither christian nor. Apr 24, 2017 episcopal priest and writer cynthia bourgeault has worked closely with fr. For many people, these retreats introduce them to the idea of deep prayer, especially contemplation, for the first time. It tends to build communities of faith and bond the members together in mutual friendship and love. Centering prayer differs from christian prayer in that the intent of the technique is to bring the practitioner to the center of his own being. Centering prayer is a modernized prayer method based on the intuitive prayer rooted in lectio divina.
Centering prayer is a receptive method of silent prayer that prepares us to receive the gift of contemplative prayer, prayer in which we experience gods presence within us, closer than breathing, closer than thinking, closer than consciousness itself. Different contemplative practices have always existed in christianity. In this centring prayer meditation we centre on the person of christ. Centering prayer and meditation are different and yet very similar. Josephs abbey in spencer, massachusetts in the 1970s. Find out whats happening in contemplative prayer group meetup groups around the world and start meeting up with the ones near you. Centering contemplative prayer profile watchman fellowship.
Centering prayer was created by trappists monks in the 1970s. Both of these are part of the tradition of lectio divina, a form of christian meditation. Keating gives an overview of the history of contemplative prayer in the christian tradition, and stepbystep guidance in the method of centering prayer. Sep, 2017 this is the first video in a series of 31 hourlong talks by thomas keating that make up his foundational video teachings, the spiritual journey with fr. We use a prayer word to gently surrender to him and bring our awareness to focus upon him. Centering prayer i have found the app a very useful aid in my cp practice.
Centering prayer is a method of silent prayer that prepares us to receive the gift of contemplative prayer, prayer in which we experience gods presence within us, closer than breathing, closer than thinking, closer than consciousness itself. Its as if there is a part of me that just doesnt want to do this. My whole life ive sought out wisdom, except for a 40year layover in evangelicalism. Guidelines for centering prayerthomas keating ocso i centering prayer guidelines transript of talk y thomas keating oso and so lets look at the guidelines from that perspetive. Sep 09, 2000 centering prayer is a remarkably simple method that opens one to gods gift of contemplative prayer. Josephs abbey in massachusetts and became a lay groundswell, it has certainly implanted itself deeply and one hopes perma.