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CENTERING PRAYER PROGRAM |
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WHAT IS CENTERING PRAYER "Centering Prayer is a method of prayer which prepares us to receive the gift of God's presence. This was traditionally called contemplative prayer. Contemplative prayer is the opening of mind and heart — our whole being — to God, the Ultimate Mystery, beyond thoughts, words and emotions. Centering Prayer facilitates the movement from more active modes of prayer — verbal, mental or affective prayer — into a receptive prayer of resting in God. It emphasizes prayer as a personal relationship with God. A restructuring of consciousness takes place which empowers one to perceive, relate, and respond with increasing sensitivity to the divine presence in, through, and beyond everything that exists." Thomas Keating
INTRODUCTION TO CENTERING PRAYER Introductory Workshop Series This three-part Introduction to Centering Prayer includes both instruction and practice in a method that fosters contemplative prayer. Grounded in sixteen centuries of Christian tradition, this prayer, as taught by Thomas Keating and Basil Pennington, helps us bring our whole being to God beyond words, beyond thoughts, and images. The sessions include the practice of Centering Prayer, videos of Thomas Keating, and time for discussion and questions. Register for Introductory Workshop Series
RETREATS These silent retreats provide time for rest and renewal through an extended experience of resting in God, in the contemplative environment of Mercy Center. There are several communal Centering Prayer periods each day, allowing us to deepen our spiritual practice. There is some input each day by a retreat director on a selected dimension of contemplative life and prayer.
Welcoming Prayer Immersion Retreat The Welcoming Prayer is a method of actively letting go of thoughts and feelings that support the false-self system. It provides a method in everyday life to dismantle the emotional programs for happiness that lead us away from God. An established practice of the Welcoming Prayer can help us to live our intention of consenting to God’s presence and action within and around us—present moment by present moment. Register for Welcoming Prayer Retreat
Holy Week Triduum Retreat Join us for Holy Week at Mercy Center. Through silence and the powerful method of Centering Prayer, we find ourselves more open and attuned to the transformative rituals at the heart of our Christian Tradition. In the tradition of Mercy Center, everyone is welcome to participate and take an active part in the rituals of the Triduum.
UPCOMING RETREATS Information wil be posted on the Calendar when registration opens. 8-Day Intensive Retreat Summer Retreat Autumn 11th Step Retreat
WEEKDAY PRACTICE Monday through Friday, Centering Prayer in the Mercy Center Chapel from 6:30—7:10 am. All are welcome.
CENTERING PRAYER OUTREACH Centering Prayer can be very helpful for those who are incarcerated. In the midst of the chaos of jail, inmates have found Centering a way to transform rage, pain and frustration into liberating freedom. Since 1999, Mercy Center staff and participant have visited San Quentin, San Francisco and San Mateo County jails and more recently the Federal Correction Institution in Dublin, to bring Centering Prayer to the incarcerated. For more information, please contact Mercy Center. |