I am a curious person.
I talk to a lot of people who have tried Centering Prayer.
I talk to many people who want to start a Centering Prayer practice.
When I ask them what is their biggest struggle with Centering Prayer many say,
“It’s just a matter of sitting down and doing it and having the discipline to practice it.”
I agree!
It is hard to start a new habit.
Centering Prayer is difficult because you don’t do anything during it.
You sit in silence.
It is wordless prayer.
With the use of a sacred word or sacred image you open to the presence and actions of God within.
Whenever you begin to think thoughts.
Whenever you plan the rest of your day.
Whenever you think about a past event.
You come back to your sacred word or sacred image and open to the presence and actions of God within.
Then let go of your sacred word or sacred image.
That is it.
It is hard.
Sometimes it is hard to just be.
A few minutes of this can seem like an eternity.
Sometimes thoughts come up that frighten you.
Sometimes thoughts come up that depress you.
You are forced to sit with yourself and all of your baggage.
I encourage you to give it a chance.
Let this baggage continue to come up.
And let go of this baggage and continue to open to the presence and actions of God within.
Here is some of the baggage that might come up:
-Loneliness
-Anxiety
-Tension
-Stress
-Depression
-Anger
You can fill in the blank with your baggage if I did not mention it above.
Over time your baggage seems to be replaced with:
-Inner peace
-Calm Disposition
-Joy
-Confidence
-Excitement for life
-Empathy
-Compassion
-Wisdom
God seems to know what you need.
God seems to replace your baggage with unexpected fruits that are unique for you.
God wants to heal you.
Be patient.
Trust the process.
Trust God.
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.
Be Still and Listen: Experience the Presence of God in Your Life by Amos Smith
The Soul of a Pilgrim: Eight Practices for the Journey Within by Christine Valters Paintner
Putting on the Mind of Christ: The Inner Work of Christian Spirituality by James Marion
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I am currently reading The Soul’s Slow Ripening: 12 Celtic Practices for Seeking the Sacred by Christine Valters Paintner.
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Thank you so much for sharing what Centering Prayer is about and for the book recommendations.
You are welcome. I hope the book recommendations help. Feel free to ask me questions. Thanks for popping in.
Based on your recommendation, I shall be purchasing Amos Smith’s book next week. By happy coincidence, I read Jim Marion’s book yesterday!