Introduction to Centering Prayer

This practice comes to us from the school of Contemplative Christianity. A practice brought to us from the late Fr. Thomas Keating called Centering Prayer. This practice was brought to the West as a way of reclaiming the Mysticism inherent in Christianity. It’s adapted from the prayer of quiet found in the 14th century anonymous writings called the Cloud of Unknowing.

The practice of Centering Prayer is unlike what we might consider prayer to be, particularly discursive prayer—that of thoughts, feelings, supplications and requests. The kind of conversational prayer we usually think of. Centering Prayer is really about communion rather than communication. About the relationship between the Father, the Son, the Spirit praying you. In the practice of centering prayer we hold an intention, a willingness to consent and surrender to the presence and action of the spirit within.

The methodology of Centering Prayer is really quite simple in that we come to it releasing all effort. Releasing all notions of having to get somewhere or achieve something.

In the practice of Centering Prayer we bring our focus and awareness to a particular sacred word or image. This sacred word or image is usually just 1-2 syllables long and serves as an anchoring point through the practice. It can be something that symbolizes God, Love, Peace, Unity. It can be as simple as Yes, Abba, Yahweh. Or perhaps something more particular to your own practice and tradition.

The practice of Centering Prayer really comes to us as an opportunity to surrender our will to that of Divine Will. Allowing us to relinquish our hold on the preoccupations of the Ego, the False Self. To simply find rest. To make ourselves supple in the hands of God. To allow a kind of Divine Therapy to wash us clean.