Centering Prayer

[Mysty101]

One last thought

Joysong:

It should be apparent to all that one does not need to concentrate on a sacred word, suspend their thought, or anything else, for God to initiate contemplation. St. Teresa mentioned elsewhere, too, that God may bestow this gift while a person is actively engaged in their routine duties, wherein it can be both Martha and Mary simultaneously.

Certainly one does not need. This is a prayer form, and as with CCR, definitely not the only path for our journey.

 

[springbreeze]

Dear Carole

I would be very sad to lose your (name removed by moderator)ut on this thread, your comments are invaluable and a source of discernment.

This was my fear when this topic arose in the Carmelite thread and rightly so, the topic was taken up in an existing thread on CP.

I am not specifically bothered who is at fault for the unfortunate turn in this thread, but would ask that we remain civil and kind to each other whilst we explore this topic, that we all remember the love of Christ and refrain from making personal comments or derisiveness to take hold of the so far fruitful posts.

I hope that we can show each other respect and kindness as the adults that we are.

God Bless you and much love and peace to you

Teresa

 

[DBT]

Joysong:

I was sorry to learn in the post by Gnome, that Keating was attempting to widely promote CP through the media. That dispels my notion that he was writing to proficients, such as those living a deep life of prayer in a monastery.

Amen to that. THAT’s the point I’ve been trying to make in my last 8 or 9 posts or so.

Perhaps we should all revist post #127 by RThomas. Fr. Keating’s material is best suited for proficients (Mansions 4-5) but his work is mass-marketed to beginners (Mansions 1-3). I’m an advertising guy by profession so this really bugs me. Advertising 101 says you gotta know your audience.

Since I’ve been trying to leave this thread for sometime (to no sucess), it’s time for me to go as well.

Thank you Teresa for reminding me in you wonderful post that the answers to what I’m seeking are to be found in my heart . . . not my mind. I think that’s advice that would serve us all well.

 

[Joysong]

Dear SuZ,

Re: “Let’s pray . I would like to continue the discussion on definitions.”
**
Yes, I’ll pray, too, but I believe this would be served better in another thread rather than CP, since they are not specific to the topic here, or if you like, we can share in a private message.

Dear Teresa,

---

Re: , but would ask that we remain civil and kind to each other whilst we explore this topic.

It seems to me the topic has been thoroughly discussed, and there have been multiple, excellent links that show both sides of the issue. At this point, I believe it is up to the reader who has followed along, to make a decision according to their own conscience and the way they feel God is leading them.

For those who are not yet convinced either way, the old saying applies, “When in doubt - don’t!” One should not strive to understand things beyond their ability to grasp and follow peacefully with God’s light. That is not His way of guidance.

Therefore, I also invite you to P.M. me if there is anything remaining that you feel I may be able to share.

Bless you both!
Carole

 

[buzzcut]

Joysong:

It seems to me the topic has been thoroughly discussed

My impression too. The only thing I am waiting for is to see if Fr Basil Pennington responds to the questions I asked on his forum. If so I would like to post his responses here. I assume this will be okay since both there and here are public forums.

 

[1_Maria]

DBT:

Amen to that. THAT’s the point I’ve been trying to make in my last 8 or 9 posts or so.

DBT…good job, thanks.

I love to see the virtue of perseverance in action.

Maria

 

[Mysty101]

Dear SuZ,

Re: “Let’s pray . I would like to continue the discussion on definitions.”
**
Yes, I’ll pray, too, but I believe this would be served better in another thread rather than CP, since they are not specific to the topic here, or if you like, we can share in a private message.

Thanks Joy,

It might be better in the forum, since others may be reading.

 

[Joysong]

Dear SuZ,

Jenlyn posted a link to contemplative prayer which has a good overview with the descriptions I think you are looking for.

After you read the article, if you find you still need some clarification, perhaps you could start a new thread to discuss whatever is still puzzling.

newadvent.org/cathen/04324b.htm

Kind regards,
Carole

 

[buzzcut]

FelixBlue:

I’m wondering what you all think about Centering Prayer (as written about by Fr. Keating and others). I’ve read several books and am still somewhat ambiguous. Any (informed) thoughts?

I just discovered there is an affordable workshop on centering prayer coming up near me in May. So if I go on it I’ll be able to post some informed experience here.

 

[Mysty101]

buzzcut:

I just discovered there is an affordable workshop on centering prayer coming up near me in May. So if I go on it I’ll be able to post some informed experience here.

Buzz,

Thanks,

That will be very helpful.

God bless you in your journey.

 

[AlanFromWichita]

Exporter:

Before you pop off and tell me I am very wrong let me mention this. I personally know that if a person is a border-line Bipolar candidate, Centering Prayer can push them over the edge. These eager people who are the C.P. Directors do not check for potential mental illness, no, they say,“Come on in”.

You are not wrong, but you have a different experience than mine.

I personally was a bipolar case, starting SD sessions one month after an involuntary lockup, and CP soon thereafter at the advice of SD, who also was qualified (as opposed to some who unfortunately do it but aren’t properly trained) to teach and run CP sessions. So I was a bona fide, on paper, disabled person due to “severe biploar disorder.”

Thomas Keating’s teachings and CP brought me the first substantial positive effects that allows me to sit here and control my emotions.

That is not to deny your experience, but to dismiss CP out-of-hand on that basis risks robbing many of an excellent way.

Thomas Keating should have kept C.P. to himself, we are not Trappists.

He and his buddies invented CP specifically because we are all not Trappists.

CP is not really a Trappist practice, as I understand. CP is designed for people with active lives, and takes a recommended 40 minutes per day total when one gets up to speed, as opposed to Trappists who spend probably hours a day in silence on the spiritual journey.

This was partly in response to Vatican II, which apparently verified (according to Thomas Olmsted and others) that “holiness” is to be accessible to everyone, not just those in cloisters and convents and stuff.

The problem is those of us with families, jobs, and other things cannot physically devote most of our waking hours to quiet prayer. CP was designed to bring just a taste of the Cloud of the Unknowing out of hiding in the monesteries and out there where people with active lives, whether lay or religious, can participate in inviting contemplation, transforming union, with the ultimate goal of Divine Union such as St. John talks about.

Oh, I forgot all about this thread but I saw my wife browsing it and noticed that one point I wanted to try to explain.

Alan

 

[gourmet]

Please, I need help. I am involved with the Cum Cristo movement which is an exumenical Cursillo.I have been exposed to many in this movement who beieve in centering prayer, the concept there is no sin, non-pro abortion, pro homosexual. and so forth. I meet with 5 of these cum cristo ladies to group or talk about our piety study and action from week to week. I cannot keep up the charade that I believe what they believe but my husband wants to be in volved with Cum Cristo and groups with the husband of one of the women I group with. If I told them my true feelings I would not be invited back and I really do not want to be invited back. Am I wrong? Should I stay involved to try to change them? Should I stay involved for my husband’s sake? Help PLEASE.

 

[JimR-OCDS]

Please, I need help. I am involved with the Cum Cristo movement which is an exumenical Cursillo.I have been exposed to many in this movement who beieve in centering prayer, the concept there is no sin, non-pro abortion, pro homosexual. and so forth. I meet with 5 of these cum cristo ladies to group or talk about our piety study and action from week to week. I cannot keep up the charade that I believe what they believe but my husband wants to be in volved with Cum Cristo and groups with the husband of one of the women I group with. If I told them my true feelings I would not be invited back and I really do not want to be invited back. Am I wrong? Should I stay involved to try to change them? Should I stay involved for my husband’s sake? Help PLEASE.

Discussions on Centering Prayer is not allowed at CAF. I’m surprised this thread is allowed to stay.

Jim

 

[soma]

When we silence the mind, God speaks. Centering Prayer is just a technique to silence the mind. One can use it on not. There is no reason to be afraid of deep prayer.

 

[Klara_Collins]

This is an almost 4 year old thread, and Centering Prayer is no longer allowed to be discussed on CAF.

Thread now Closed.

Thanks!

Klara