Q: I have been practicing Centering Prayer consistently for the past three years. Over the past few months or so, I have noticed that I have not had so many extraneous […]
Let It All Go and BE
Q: Occasionally, I feel when I am in Centering Prayer that God is setting up a barrier, and that beyond that barrier is fire and that I would be burned if […]
Difficulty with Centering Prayer
Q: My difficulty with Centering Prayer is distractions of thoughts spilling over and being unable to get to or sustain a deep place in the prayer. I usually sit down […]
Is Centering Prayer for Everybody?
Q: I have used the CD series, “Contemplative Prayer” from Sounds True, along with reading many of Father Keating’s books. When I tried Centering Prayer, my mind was filled […]
Vestibules to our Centering Prayer Time
Q: I recently completed e-courses in Centering Prayer as well as Welcoming Prayer. When doing Centering Prayer, I find that most thoughts that come up are related to tasks […]
About the Sacred Word
Q: “How do I choose my sacred word for Centering Prayer” Dear Friend, Thank you for asking for clarification on the first Centering Payer method guideline: “Choose a sacred word […]
Centering Prayer and the Breath
Q: “I am new to Centering Prayer. I have historically meditated with a focus on the breath. I am having a difficult time not focusing on my breath throughout […]
Zoom Prayer and Video
Q: Zoom has surely opened up new possible ways to practice together in these rather isolating times; for this I am grateful! At the same time, I must admit […]
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 […]
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? […]
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 […]
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 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 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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Centering Prayer and Other Types of Prayer
Q: While I am not yet capable of Centering Prayer, my daily prayer period consists of intercessory and thanksgiving prayers as well as Scripture reading and reflection. Silence and solitude […]
Centering Prayer and Other Types of Prayer
Q: While I am not yet capable of Centering Prayer, my daily prayer period consists of intercessory and thanksgiving prayers as well as Scripture reading and reflection. Silence and solitude […]
Night of the Sense and Night of the Spirit
Q: I recently read Fr. Daniel Renaud's article on "Desire and Everyday Mysticism" and I see that over 25 years of Christian life I started on the positive way […]
The Use of a Sacred Image During Centering Prayer
Q: I am a trying to get a handle on Centering Prayer. Is it OK … to use the imagery that comes into my head when I sit, e.g., God […]
The Goal of Centering Prayer
Q: When I was in college in the late 60's, I used psychedelic drugs a number of times. Now when I pray with Centering Prayer, I find myself […]