Centering Prayer

Centering Prayer is a method designed to facilitate the development of contemplative prayer by preparing our faculties to cooperate with this gift. It is an attempt to present the teaching of earlier time (e.g., The Cloud of Unknowing) in an updated form and to put a certain order and regularity into it. It is not meant to replace other kinds of prayer; it simply puts other kinds of prayer into a new and fuller perspective. During the time of prayer we consent to God's presence and action within. At other times our attention moves outward to discover God's presence everywhere.

Explanation of the Guidelines

"Choose a sacred word as the symbol of your intention to consent to God's presence and action within." (cf. Thomas Keating, Open Mind, Open Heart, chap.5)

The sacred word expresses our intention to be in God's presence and to yield to the divine action.
The sacred word should be chosen during a prayer asking the Holy Spirit to inspire us with one especially suitable to us. Having chosen a sacred word, we do not change it during the prayer period.
Examples: Lord, Jesus, Father, Mother, Mary, Kyrie, Jesu, Jeshua, Abba, Mater, Maria. Others: Love, Peace, Mercy, Silence, Calm, Faith, Trust, Yes, Shalom, Amen.
A simple inward gaze upon God may be more suitable for some persons than a sacred word. The same guidelines apply.

"Sitting comfortably and with eyes closed, settle briefly and silently introduce the sacred word as the symbol of your consent to God's presence and action within."

We should be comfortable, but not so much that we encourage sleep. Whatever position we choose, we keep the back straight
If we fall asleep, we continue the prayer for a few minutes upon awakening if we can spare the time. Praying in this way directly after a main meal encourages drowsiness. Centering Prayer just before retiring may disturb one's sleep pattern.
We close our eyes to let go of what is going on around and within us.
We introduce the sacred word inwardly and as gently as laying a feather on a piece of absorbent cotton.

"When you become aware of thoughts, return ever-so-gently to the sacred word."

"Thoughts" is an umbrella term for every perception including sense perceptions, feeling, images, memories, reflections, and commentaries. Thoughts are a normal part of Centering Prayer.
"Returning ever-so-gently to the sacred word," indicates a minimum of effort. This is the only activity we initiate during the time of Centering Prayer.
During the course of our prayer, the sacred word may become vague or even disappear.

"At the end of prayer period, remain in silence with eyes closed for a couple of minutes."

If this prayer is done in a group, the leader may slowly recite the Our Father during the additional 2 or 3 minutes, while the others listen.
This time allows the psyche to readjust to the external senses and enable us to bring the atmosphere of silence into daily life

Some Practical Points

The minimum time for this prayer is 20 minutes. Two periods are recommended each day, one first thing in the morning, and one in the afternoon or early evening.

The end of the prayer period can be indicated by a timer, provided it does not have an audible tick or loud sound when it goes off.

The principal effects of Centering Prayer are experienced in daily life, not in the period of prayer itself.

Physical Symptoms: We may notice slight pains, itches, or twitches in various parts of the body, or a generalized restlessness. These usually are due to the untying of emotional knots in the body. A sense of heaviness or lightness in the extremities usually is due to a deep level of spiritual attentiveness. In either case, we pay no attention, or we allow the mind to rest briefly in the sensation, and then return to the sacred word.

A support group praying and sharing together once a week helps maintain one's commitment to the prayer.

Used with permission of Contemplative Outreach, Ltd.

10 Park Place, Suite 2B P.O. Box 737

Butler, NJ 07405

gail@coutreach.org