Is prayer a retreat for you into a separate place where you find rest and peace? If so, why do you not find peace, wholeness and harmony in your […]
Thomas Keating & The Three Biological Needs
Q: Thomas Keating identifies three essential biological needs for human beings: (1) Security & Survival, (2) Power & Control, and (3) Affection & Esteem. Can you please tell me if […]
New Contemplative Leaders Exchange
Last year, at the invitation of renowned Cistercian monk Fr. Thomas Keating, four of among the most prominent living western Christian contemplative teachers gathered in Snowmass at St. Benedict‚Äôs Monastery. […]
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I Am the Clay in the Potter’s Hand
“God loves me!” Father Tom began our eight-day silent retreat with Pope Francis’ request to Christians to reflect on this, and so we entered into silence at Mount St. Anne’s. […]
Reflections on San Antonio Board Meeting
When I lean into the first impressions I had of the meeting with the Board and the Transition Advisory Team in San Antonio this past May 2017, the words that […]
Proof of God’s Existence? Or the Experience of God’s Presence?
When I was a junior in high school I took a class on world literature. We read many great novels, such as Crime and Punishment by Dostoevsky, All Quiet on […]
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Welcoming & Security Issues
Q: I need help. Every day I pray the Welcoming Prayer. I trip up at “I let go my desire for security and survival.” I’m a mother. How can I […]
Praying to the Old Man on the Throne?
Q: Recently, when I concluded my session of Centering Prayer and recited the Lord's Prayer, as is my custom, I was struck by the disparity between the Trinity in Whom […]
Distinguishing Awareness and Presence
Q: I was listening to this video of Fr. Keating: https://youtu.be/bcc5_R9415Q If a clearer or fuller context is required, it might be necessary to listen to a few minutes […]
Another Easter . . .
As I read the latest “Voices of the Community” articles from the current Contemplative Outreach e-bulletin, I noticed something I had not seen before . . . one could go […]
Sacred Feeling as a Sacred Symbol
Q: I feel led towards using what I would call sacred ‚Äúfeeling‚Äù when doing Centering Prayer. My feeling is love for God that I feel in my heart. It seems […]
“Living Wisdom” – An Appreciation
Contemplative Outreach of Chicago recently launched a new program known as Living Wisdom, to give interested members an opportunity to explore ‚Äúthe wisdom tradition.‚Äù So far, the program has offered […]