I am excited to share with you my review of Centering Prayer and Inner Awakening by Cynthia Bourgeault.
Modern day mystic, Episcopal priest, writer, and internationally known retreat leader, Cynthia Bourgeault divides her time between solitude at her seaside hermitage in Maine, and a demanding schedule traveling globally to teach and spread the recovery of the Christian contemplative and Wisdom path.
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She has been a long-time advocate of the meditative practice of Centering Prayer and has worked closely with fellow teachers and colleagues including Thomas Keating, Bruno Barnhart, and Richard Rohr. Cynthia has actively participated in numerous inter-spiritual dialogues and events with luminaries and leaders such as A.H. Almaas, Kabir Helminski, Swami Atmarupananda, and Rami Shapiro.
Learn more about Cynthia here.
This was the first book on Centering Prayer that I read as I began this transforming practice in June of 2014. I recently took a peek back into this wonderful book and wish to share with you six key points.
Interwoven
“As we move toward center, our own being and the divine being become more and more mysteriously interwoven.”
This is what happens when we sit in silence and open to the presence of God. We become one with God. We let God pray in us. We arise from our sits ready to act on the prayers God prayed in us. When we take our second sit, we begin this beautiful cycle again: sit in silence, God prays in us, arise from our sit, act on God’s prayers in us.
See In The Dark
“In fact, you could say that learning to shift to seeing with your spiritual awareness is a lot like learning to see in the dark.”
Centering prayer is a silent sit in faith. We let go of all thoughts, emotions and physical sensations and open to God. We trust God. We don’t know what will happen. We sit and we trust that God’s inner actions are best. We learn to see in the dark.
Place We Come From
“But as the practice becomes more and more established in you so that this inner sanctuary begins to flow out into your life, it becomes more and more a place you come from.”
After each morning sit I am ready for the day! I am calm and energized. I am excited for what the day will bring. I seem to know what tasks that God wishes for me to accomplish today.
My second sit is usually in mid afternoon. My second sit refills my reservoir. It helps me to refocus and finish my day.
I need both sits!
Die To Self
“Dying to self means being willing to let go of what I want (or think I want) in order to create space for God to direct, lead, and guide me into a truer way of being.”
This is what we do during our silent sits. When we let go we create this most important space. My best actions spawn when I die to self during my silent sit.
Self Empty
“Paul sees that self-emptying is the touchstone, the core reality underlying every moment of Jesus’ human journey. Self-emptying is what first brings him into human form, and self-emptying is what leads him out, returning him to the realm of dominion and glory.”
When we sit in silence we experience the death, passion and resurrection of Jesus. It is a beautiful mystery that happens each time we sit with Jesus. To be honest, I am not completely sure what this means but as my silent sits continue more and more of this mystery is revealed to me.
Next Steps
“But the promise contemplative prayer makes is that if you show up, things will start to change.”
The fruits of Centering Prayer are unique to the practitioner. We do not enter Centering Prayer for these fruits. They are freely given to us by a most gracious God. I have noticed I am more calm and confident. I slow down and listen to others. I am filled with energy and excited to live my life.
I encourage you to check out Centering Prayer and Inner Awakening. I also reviewed her newest book, The Heart of Centering Prayer: Nondual Christianity in Theory and Practice. I hope you enjoy my review.
Go Further
Books by Cynthia Bourgeault:
New: Eye of the Heart: A Spiritual Journey into the Imaginal Realm
Centering Prayer and Inner Awakening
The Heart of Centering Prayer: Nondual Christianity in Theory and Practice
(Listen to The Heart of Centering Prayer for Free when you try Audible with a 30-day free trial.)
The Wisdom Jesus: Transforming Heart and Mind–A New Perspective on Christ and His Message
Love is Stronger than Death: The Mystical Union of Two Souls
The Meaning of Mary Magdalene: Discovering the Woman at the Heart of Christianity
The Wisdom Way of Knowing: Reclaiming An Ancient Tradition to Awaken the Heart
The Holy Trinity and the Law of Three: Discovering the Radical Truth at the Heart of Christianity
Courses by Cynthia Bourgeault:
Encountering the Wisdom Jesus: Quickening the Kingdom of Heaven Within
The early Christians, teaches the Reverend Cynthia Bourgeault, were afire with the spirit of Jesus, inspired fully by his teaching of a total transformation of consciousness. How do we reclaim that fire today?
On Encountering the Wisdom Jesus, this brilliant author and dynamic Episcopalian priest presents her first full-length audio course about rediscovering the Master of Wisdom. Twelve immersive sessions cover: the parables as wisdom tools; Jesus’s teachings about kenosis (or self-emptying: a path as radical today as it was 2,000 years ago); Jesus as tantric master; Centering Prayer, an approach to meditation as Jesus lived it, and much more.
SEEING WITH THE EYES OF THE HEART: Living the Wisdom of the Jesus Story
On Seeing with the Eyes of the Heart, Adya and Cynthia Bourgeault explore:
- How we can begin to embody this loving, heart-centered presence in even the most challenging moments of our daily lives
- Jesus as a wisdom figure from whom we can learn these heart lessons
- How the crucifixion, the resurrection, and other key events of Jesus’ life serve as a blueprint for awakening and deep surrender
- Everyday practices for keeping our hearts tender and awake even during challenges and trials
- Includes two guided heart-opening practice sessions led by Cynthia and Adya.