I recently provided a Centering Prayer overview to a group of folks at a church.
We talked virtually via Zoom video.
I was not on location.
I heard the following comment regarding Centering Prayer:
“It is nice to just be.”
Centering Prayer is a form of silent prayer.
It is wordless prayer.
We just sit with God.
We bring no agenda.
We rest in the rest of God.
That is it!
Centering Prayer helps us to just be.
Why is this important?
We live in a fast paced world.
We often feel that we should be doing.
We must be productive.
We don’t allow ourselves to slow down and just be with life.
What does just being look like?
-Enjoy a meal
-Engage in conversation with family or friends
-Watch the sun rise or set
-Drink a cup of coffee or tea
-Read a book
-Watch a movie
-Take a walk
-Sleep in
-Go to a park
Did you realize that the times when you can just be prepare you for the times when you need to do?
In fact, you probably will be more productive because you practice how to just
BE.
Go Further:
An Ocean of Light: Contemplation, Transformation, and Liberation by Martin Laird
Into the Silent Land: A Guide to the Christian Practice of Contemplation by Martin Laird
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Contemplative Light offers courses on contemplative practices (Christian Meditation, Centering Prayer, The Examen, Lectio Divina, The Jesus Prayer), the Christian mystics (ancient and current) and spiritual writing. Peruse their wonderful offerings.
The Gospel of Thomas by Cynthia Bourgeault: This e-course, “The Gospel of Thomas with Cynthia Bourgeault,” is a complete “Thomas starter kit”: everything you need to know to get you up and running with this remarkable text, plus a generous sampling of its most important sayings, arranged thematically so that they speak to issues that contemporary spiritual seekers are actually dealing with.
Centering Prayer as a Way of Life by Contemplative Outreach, Pamela Begeman, Mary Anne Best, Julie Saad: In this, the third offering of this year’s trilogy on Centering Prayer, we will explore how the practice of Centering Prayer evolves into a surrendered life of inner peace and equanimity despite the busy and often tumultuous circumstances of daily life in the 21st century. As the inner room begins to expand its walls beyond the twice-daily practice of Centering Prayer, the Spirit takes over our life more and more, and we begin to accept ourselves just as we are, God as God is, and all reality as it is. From this disposition of true humility, enlarged under the influence of God’s grace, we live in the Kingdom of God here and now, which is a state of consciousness ever-attentive to the presence of God in the midst of ordinary life.
Centering Prayer as Practice and Process by Contemplative Outreach, Pamela Begeman, Mary Anne Best, Julie Saad: If you are new to Centering Prayer or wishing to renew your practice, this retreat will assist you with deepening your relationship with God. We will focus on teaching and practicing the method of Centering Prayer; review its place in the Christian tradition, its conceptual background, and psychological process; and share insights into establishing Centering Prayer as a way of life.
Drawing from the wisdom of monastic life, modern psychology and best practices in personal productivity, the Monk Manual provides a daily system that will help you find clarity, purpose, wisdom, and peace in the moments that make up your life.
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