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 […]
Some Teeny Centering in the Tiny Hours
I left the bedroom at 1:43 am, confident my congested, snoring wife would happily sleep away the night on her own. I made for the guest room and quiet. […]
![levels of awareness image](https://dev.contemplativeoutreach.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/fig-1-1024x744.jpg)
What Goes On in the Inner Room?
When you pray, go to your inner room, close the door and pray to your Father in secret. And your Father, who sees in secret, will cause your life […]
Finding Wonders in the Desert
Few go willingly into the desert. It is a harsh life, more about survival than comfort. The silence can blister like the noonday sun. But harsh does not mean […]
Centering Prayer and Trauma
Q: I have been practicing Centering Prayer for 12 years, and recently I have been praying for the transformation process to hurry up. To put it more politely, for […]
Going Inside: An Elder Brother Learns the Father’s Embrace
The fifteen years since my conversion have found me testing and confirming Fr. Thomas Keating’s assertion that, “the false-self accompanies us, implacably, into whatever lifestyle we choose” (1). Raised […]
Read More… from Going Inside: An Elder Brother Learns the Father’s Embrace
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 […]
Read More… from The Use of a Sacred Image During Centering Prayer
Brief Contemplative Lessons from Meister Eckhart
Meister Eckhart was a Dominican friar who lived in fourteenth-century Germany. He was a contemplative engaged in preaching and teaching. When he preached, his sermons were subtle and sublime. […]
Read More… from Brief Contemplative Lessons from Meister Eckhart
The Nameless Place
I enter what enters me, Reaching a place in me, yet not in me, Releasing me to extend beyond The sensed boundaries Of my being alone in the world. […]
Contemplative Outreach Administrator Position
Posted November 4, 2019 From the "Guidelines for Contemplative Outreach Service with Commentary": 1. Contemplative Outreach is an evolving community with an expanding vision and deepening practice of Centering Prayer […]
Read More… from Contemplative Outreach Administrator Position
Why Attend Multi-Day Retreats?
Q: Throughout the year we have opportunities to attend days of prayer. What do extended retreats add to the spiritual journey that reading books, attending Centering Prayer groups and workshops don’t? […]