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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.
Contemplative prayer is a process of interior transformation. 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
Centering Prayer Introductory
Series each Spring and Autumn
This three-part introduction to Centering Prayer includes
both instruction and practice in a method that fosters contemplative prayer. Grounded in 16 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.
For specific dates and to register, please see our calendar
at:
http://www.mercy-center.org/programs+retreats/calendar.html.
Ongoing Learning - Days of
Study and Practice
Whether we are beginners or well established in our
practice, these days provide an opportunity to nourish and deepen our practice. Led by a Mercy Center staff person or guest
teacher, we reflect on and discuss the rich teachings of Thomas Keating and
other great contemplatives. Periods of
Centering Prayer will punctuate the day and be the ground of our shared time. As we grow into a more sustained contemplative
stance in our lives, we also have much to share with each other — questions,
encouragement, insights and support.
We have a series starting in October 2008, Living Flame II. For more information about this exciting new
offering, please go to: http://www.mercy-center.org/Flyers_2009/LivingFlame/livingFlame.html.
Weekend 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.
11th
Step Introductory Centering Prayer Retreat – November 21-23, 2008.
For
more information about this new retreat, please go to: http://www.mercy-center.org/Flyers_2008/11_centering/centering_prayer.htm.
Formation
for Contemplative Outreach Service (Centering Prayer Teacher Training)
Offered
every other year, this week-long seminar offers personal enrichment as well as
certification opportunities for introductory workshop presenters. Presenter
certification requires successful completion of this course, an Intensive Ten
Day Retreat, familiarity with Keating’s books and Spiritual Journey tape
series, an established daily practice of Centering Prayer and a commitment to
teach the method as prescribed by Contemplative Outreach, Ltd. The course
carefully integrates theory and practice. For more information or to
register for this November 8-13, 2008 program go to: http://www.mercy-center.org/Flyers_2008/11_08centering/centering_prayer.html.
8-Day Intensive & Post-Intensive Retreats – Every
May.
(Occurring simultaneously, these retreats provide two
different tracks depending on participants’ practice experience.)
INTENSIVE: Enter into a more profound level of
spiritual practice in an atmosphere of silence and community. The 10-day intensive is designed to intensify
one’s discipline and practice of Centering Prayer as it also provides a
conceptual framework for the prayer through the viewing of Thomas Keating’s
Spiritual Journey video series. It is
for those with some experience in Centering Prayer.
POST-INTENSIVE: Running concurrently with the 10-day
Centering Prayer Retreat, this retreat is for those who have previously made a
10-Day Intensive. There will be
increased silence and increased periods of Centering Prayer.
Weekday Practice
Monday through Friday, Centering Prayer in
the Mercy Center Chapel, 6:30—7:10 am.
All are welcome.
Centering Prayer Outreach
Centering Prayer has been found to be very helpful for those
who are incarcerated. In the midst of
the chaos of jail, inmates have found Centering a way to change the anger, pain
and frustration locked deep inside into liberating freedom. Since 1999, Mercy Center staff and
participant have gone to San Quentin, San Francisco and San Mateo jails and
more recently to the Federal Correction Institution in Dublin, to bring
Centering Prayer to the incarcerated.
For more information, please contact Mercy Center.
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