What is the difference between Centering Prayer and Contemplative Prayer?
I have heard some people say they are the same.
I believe they are not the same.
Centering Prayer is a practice that opens us to Contemplative Prayer.
We even let go of Centering Prayer to enter and open to Contemplative Prayer.
Contemplative Prayer is a silent sit with the pure presence of God who is beyond thoughts, emotions, words and physical sensations.
We let go of our thoughts, emotions and physical sensations with the use of our sacred word.
And open to the presence and actions of God within.
One way to think about it is when we look at a beautiful sunset.
We are wordless.
It is just beautiful.
As soon as we put words to it, we are out of Contemplative Prayer.
Contemplative Prayer is just being with Being.
It is nice to just be sometimes.
When we learn to be with God we seem to learn to just be with people.
We learn to be with life and all of its ups and downs.
We open to life and all it offers.
We experience the fullness of life.
Go Further:
Open Mind, Open Heart 20th Anniversary Edition by Thomas Keating and Centering Prayer and Inner Awakening were the first two books I read as I began my Centering Prayer practice.
A Taste of Silence: Centering Prayer and the Contemplative Journey by Carl J Arico
Presence and Process: A Path Toward Transformative Faith and Inclusive Community by Daniel P Coleman
Holy Silence: A Gift of Quaker Silence by J. Brent Bill
this post may contain affiliate links
Are you new to Centering Prayer? Try my Start Here page.
I am currently reading Sinners in the Hands of a Loving God: The Scandalous Truth of the Very Good News by Brian Zahnd.
Try Audible and Get Two Free Audiobooks – This is a great way to listen to books with your cell phone while you drive, walk or relax at home. I frequently listen in my car during my commute to and from work. I’m a proud affiliate.
The Wisdom of the Desert Fathers and Mothers by Christine Valters Paintner: The Wisdom of the Desert Fathers and Mothers with Christine Valters Paintner” is an Online Retreat that enables you to explore and engage with the insights of the desert mothers and fathers of fourth and fifth century Egypt. These men and women of God went to the desert to live out a simple but challenging spirituality that still resonates strongly for us today.
Ignatian Spirituality for Everyday Life by Margaret Silf: This e-course invites you into a journey of exploration into this practical, real-world approach to Christian spirituality. Discover something of the real Ignatius. Let him guide you into the creative power of your own desires and offer you tools for making wiser choices. Try out some of the methods of prayer and reflection that he suggests, and engage with the power of scriptural meditation. Learn to notice what is moving in your heart, and discern which movements are coming from the deepest core of your being, where God is indwelling.
Writing as a Spiritual Practice: This course helps you to access the rich spiritual stories that lie deeply within you. Words are powerful. The words that you write can be used to:
- help you understand yourself better – and therefore divine God’s purpose in your life
- facilitate healing of spiritual wounds
- minister to others more effectively
- share your testimonies of how God has worked in your 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.
