Q: Is panentheism the theology being taught by contemplative prayer? A: I refer you to an article written by Thomas Keating on ‚ÄúClarifications regarding Centering Prayer‚Äù: ‚ÄúPantheism is usually defined […]
Gratitude & Listening
What an enormous and lifetime gift of grace is given through each and all of you at Contemplative Outreach as we all continue on the Way through your guidance, resources, […]
Finding a Quiet Place
Q: My mother is 92, lives with us and has for the last 5 years. This is during the time when I also started Centering Prayer. It is so hard […]
Breath Prayer
Q: In The Contemplative Outreach News, December 2009, you had an article entitled, ‚ÄúReflections on the beginning: 1983.‚Äù In it, you mentioned Fr. Keating recommending four spiritual exercises; one of […]
A Short Poem of Daily Surrender
‚ÄúCommit your life to the Lord,Trust in Him and He will act,So that your justice breaks forth like the lightYour cause like the noon day sun‚Äù– Psalm 37 1-4 Open […]
Visiting San Quentin
‚ÄúDress like you‚Äôre going to a funeral,‚Äù my friend George advised. The long list of rules for visitors to San Quentin California State Prison includes no blue or orange clothes, […]
The Dark Nights, Who Does It Affect?
Q: I wonder, can one experience the dark nights, if one is not practicing centering or contemplative prayer, but is just a devoted Christian? I somehow get the impression that […]
Restlessness During Centering Prayer
Q: I was a regular practitioner of Centering Prayer in the 1990’s. For the last few years, however, I make time for it in the mornings after reading some Scripture, […]
Mysteries Like Love
Reaching out,there is no edge.I can see forever,with eyes of light,in a stillness,breathing in and out,enfoldment,like a kiss from mybeloved Divine. Open your heart,my sweet one,receive your radiant gifts,eaching in,o […]
My Heart Has Unfit Edges
This is dedicated to a very holy ( though she was unaware) seamstress, Ginny, who was one of the most unconditional lovers I know as mom, friend, wife and grandmother. […]
Is “God is All, in All” a way of saying that God’s immanent?
Q: I see the title of the new DVD in your store, ‚ÄúGod is All, in All‚Äù, and it makes me wonder about the transcendent nature of God. Is God […]
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Does God Judge?
Q: My small groups was watching the Heartfulness DVD series with Thomas Keating and Betty Sue Flowers, in particular, the section on sin. At the end, we were discussing the […]
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Transform the World One Prayer at a Time, one Gift at a Time
May it be done to me according to your word.Luke 1: 38 This year I have been amazed at how the work of Contemplative Outreach is spreading around the world. […]
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Music During Centering Prayer
Q: I once asked my prayer group if it was permissible to have a melody running through one’s head while centering, and their answer was no. Often I have a […]
Homecoming
While seeking to clear my seeing,so I could really know love,be love, walk in the world in service to love,I forgot my activities, my routine, my habits,my drama, my occupation, […]
God’s Unconditional Love and the Last Judgment
Q: As a practising contemplative/meditator for many years and a more recent follower of Father Thomas Keating’s spiritual advice and direction, I do have one “very spiritually perplexing question” that […]
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Eventide
As I sit on my sofafacing southI hear the crickets,little pinpricks of soundin the night.I open wideto the stars and beyond,to that which we call God. I open to the […]
Crisis of Faith During Troubles
Q: I have been practicing CP for over two years and have noticeably experienced positive change and what I consider a deepening of faith and openness to the work of […]
Be Still and Know that I am God
‚ÄúBe still and know that I am God‚Äù (Psalms 46:10). It was a verse I had long been familiar with, but what in the world did it mean? I had […]
When you are in pain…
Q. When you are in pain, can you still practice the Welcoming Prayer if you take pain pills and/or tranquilizers? A. Prayer is a relationship. In any intimate relationship, one […]
The Welcoming Prayer: Deepening Our Practice of Letting Go and Letting
My name is Michael Erwin. I have been doing Centering Prayer on a daily basis for several years during my incarceration at San Quentin State Prison. I have found that […]
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O Ever Emerging Dawn in This My Dark Night …
O Lighthouse on hill of tears and mist a clearing to the path that leads to the inner cloister of Love in which I hope to abide life surrendered as […]
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Conversations with God on My Spiritual Journey
God is always speaking, but few times have I documented what He has showed me or told me. This was one of the times… I asked Him: Where is the most […]
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Centering Prayer During Times of Unrest
Q: Extreme injustices and inflicted cruelty are buried in people’s lives. When these experiences arise (often unexpectedly) as a response to the asking participation in one’s own spiritual journey, it […]
The Welcoming Prayer and “letting go of the desire for security, affection, and control.”
Q: I have a question about the Welcoming Prayer, related to “letting go of the desire for security, affection, and control.” I say the prayer often during my daily encounters […]