Q: I have just started practicing Centering Prayer. I‚Äôm Portuguese, live in Lisbon, and I‚Äôm almost 70! It looks like Centering Prayer came to me (I didn‚Äôt look for it) as an invitation/response of Jesus to become closer to Him, as I so much desire. I have been listening to the recordings of Father Thomas Keating’s Open Mind, Open Heart as I wait for the book to arrive by mail. I also read the lesson on Centering Prayer and Lectio Divina downloaded from your site. My question of method is this: When does Lectio Divina comes in? Is it at the same time as Centering Prayer? You do both in the same day?
A: What a blessing to be living in Lisbon – it is such a beautiful city filled with so much vitality. I have enjoyed my time there and in Porto. What a grace to have found Open Mind Open Heart. You can also purchase and download an mp3 talk I gave about the relationship between Centering Prayer and Lectio Divina. But for now, the common practice is to pray Centering Prayer first and then after a pause pray your Lectio Divina. For many, Centering Prayer opens one’s mind and heart to hear the word of God on a deeper level and increases the possibility to be open to new ideas, actions and love in one’s relationship with the Lord. Remember they are two separate practices that can join together in the dance of prayer. I hope this is a help. You can also read past Q&A‚Äôs on Lectio Divina here.
In this year of Mercy,
Fr. Carl
