What do you do if your mind races during centering prayer? There are times when my mind races. This happens when I have a challenge at work that I cannot resolve. The solution has not yet been determined. This will bother me. This can make it very difficult to sit.
Another time when I do not want to sit is when there is a conflict between my wife and I or between myself and one of my children. I do not like conflict. I do not like it when there is a disagreement. I do not like it when we are temporarily upset or angry with each other. These times normally do not last long but they still bother me.
Lastly, things sometimes just do not always go as I would like. The car breaks down. The washing machine will not work. I interview for a potential job that I want and I do not get it. I am supposed to meet with a friend and my friend cancels. I looked forward to this time. I needed to talk. I had a lot on my mind. I needed to get things off my chest.
Yes, it can be hard to just sit still as my mind races. These are the times when I especially need to sit. I need to take this baggage with me to my sit. I can release this baggage over and over as I ever so gently return to my sacred icon. These are the times when I most need God’s presence. These are not the times to avoid my centering prayer time.
God loves me no matter what my disposition is (1 John 4:8). God’s love and healing are in the silence. I need to let God love me. I need to let God heal me. If I do not sit I take this opportunity away from God. God will not force me to sit. I need to decide to sit on my own.
The darkest times in our lives are often the hardest times to sit. This is when we most need God. God’s love and healing can overcome our darkness. These are the times when we just need to trust God. We must sit with God even if we do not feel like it.
Go Further
Be Still and Listen: Experience the Presence of God in Your Life by Amos Smith
Mindful Silence: The Heart of Christian Contemplation by Phileena Heuertz
Open Mind, Open Heart 20th Anniversary Edition by Thomas Keating
Intimacy with God: An Introduction to Centering Prayer by Thomas Keating
The Path of Centering Prayer: Deepening Your Experience of God by David Frenette
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This is so true. When we need our time alone with God the very most, we find it the most difficult to do. Thank you for highlighting this aspect of your sit.
Thank you Norma!