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

Sundays: Feb 26, 2012, 1:00 – 5:00 pm
March 4 & 18, 2012, 1:00 – 4:00 pm

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.

UPCOMING RETREATS

Centering Prayer 11th Step Retreat
March 4-6, 2012

For those who practice the 12 Steps found in AA, Al-Anon, and other 12-Step programs, Centering Prayer supports the process initiated in the practice of the 12 Steps - the process of human transformation.

REGISTER for Centering Prayer 11th Step Retreat

Silence and Communion
A Centering Prayer Intensive Retreat
May 20-26, 2012

Join us as we form a community to deepen our discipline and practice of Centering Prayer. This is a retreat for those with some experience of Centering Prayer.

REGISTER for Silence and Communion 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.