By Ron Barnett Fr. Thomas Keating often spoke of the contemplative dimension of life (CDL) and how we can awaken to it via the experience of nature, science, art […]
Centering Prayer and Music
Q: When I Center I sometimes listen to music just to calm me down if I am not already in a peaceful state. Lately, I have been experiencing God […]
A Lectio Divina Immersion Retreat Experience
A Lectio Divina Immersion Retreat Experience From a virtual retreat led August 7-8, 2020 By the Lectio Divina Service Team A Lectio Divina Immersion Retreat was conducted August 7-8th […]
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The Great Reality Deep Within
The Great Reality Deep Within A virtual retreat held August 14-16, 2020 By the12-Step Outreach Service Team As we say in 12-Step, we do the footwork and turn […]
Governing Board Update
Two new Governing Board members will begin their three-year terms of service in January of 2021. They are Phil Jackson of the Chicago Chapter and Carol Quest of the […]
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God’s Action Within
Q: What does “consenting to God’s action within” means? what does it look like and how do I know that I am actually consenting to God’s action within me? […]
My First Sit
On workdays, my first Centering Prayer sit is at 5:45 a.m. I always feel some anxiety after I wake. Then I retreat to the basement, light a candle, […]
Unloading of the Unconscious
Q: I have practiced Centering Prayer for years now and I was wondering if you could explain the process of unloading of the unconscious. What happens when forgotten memories […]
Prayer Groups in the Era of Social Distancing
Many of us have been struggling with questions about whether our contemplative prayer groups should continue to meet in light of the current situation and these decisions are increasingly […]
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Active Prayer Sentence as a Thought
Q: I have a question regarding the active prayer practice. I’m practicing Centering Prayer for about 2 years and the active prayer for several months. Sometimes, the active prayer […]
Centering Prayer Group Facilitator Support Team
Facilitating is a ministry that empowers people and enables group process. As a ministry it helps group members to become more aware and more loving. . . . Good […]
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Introduction to Centering Prayer Course in Spanish via Zoom
The Dominican Republic Centering Prayer Community (DRCPC) has a history of more than thirty years of following, supporting, and sharing the path of contemplative transformation taught by Father Thomas […]
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Centering Prayer and Lightheadedness
Q: I have a question regarding my Centering Prayer practice: Lately, I have noticed that as I finish my sit, open my eyes and come back to the external, I […]
Gratitude and Centering Prayer
Gratitude and Centering Prayer Q: Is it possible to experience pleasure and gratitude for the feelings I sometimes have during meditation (e.g. spaciousness, chakra opening) without being distracted by them? […]
Centering Prayer as a Path of Return
“In returning and rest is my salvation.” Isaiah 30:15 When I was in the 7th grade I wrote a short story about a young girl who ran away […]
Global Support Team for English-speaking Practitioners of Centering Prayer Outside the United States
In August 2018, Pat Johnson asked me to serve as the team leadfor English speaking practitioners of Centering Prayer outside the United States. With that request came another request- to form […]
Centering Prayer and Involuntary Body Movements
Q: I have a question I hope you can help me with. During recent meditation periods when I go deeper, I have begun to tense up, tremble and […]
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An Example of a Zoom 1/2-Day Centering Prayer Retreat
Fifty-nine gathered the morning of Holy Saturday to experience a ½-Day Centering Prayer retreat via Zoom. The format was simple; the silence profound; the intimacy shared. Here is […]
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A Borderless Practice: The Interspiritual Invitation of Centering Prayer
“Deep prayer is the laying aside of thoughts. It is the opening of mind and heart, body and feelings—our whole being—to God, the Ultimate Mystery, beyond words, thoughts, […]
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The Welcoming Prayer in Moments of Crisis
Q: How can the Welcoming Prayer help us during this time of Covid-19? Mary Dwyer: What an extraordinary time we are all living through. Personally, I feel a deep and […]
Centering Prayer: A Prayer and A Practice
Q: I have been doing Centering Prayer for over five years now yet it never seems to get easier. It’s as if there is a part of me that just […]
The Sacred Breath
Throughout most of my contemplative practice, the breath has been my natural access point into realms of Divine expansion. So much so that it has become my sacred symbol […]
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The Birth of God Within
The birth narrative of Luke portrays Mary as the archetype of the Christian contemplative, whom Gabriel declares “full of grace” and “blessed among women” (Luke 1:28). For Luke, […]
Lent and Centering Prayer
Q: Do you have any suggestions for the season of Lent that can be an encouragement for my practice of Centering Prayer? A: We are soon entering the season of […]
Intercessory Prayers
Q: When saying grace, in my private prayer after Eucharist, and during evening and night prayer, I ask for intercession. Yet I wonder whether this doesn't reflect a lack of […]