Centering Prayer

[Brooklyn]

I am a revert to the Catholic Church, my husband and I having come back after 38 years. So there are a few things (to say the least) that are new to us from what we remember so many years ago. One of them is the practice of centering prayer. I have read pros and cons regarding this matter, and I myself tend to think it is very new age and something to be avoided, as Pope Benedict XVI seems to have said also. However, I know many churches have a formal practice of this.

Recently in our local Diocese paper, there was an article by a respected priest who said he has been doing it every day for 20 years. I wrote in to the paper and said I had heard that it was not a good thing. This week someone answered my letter and said that “Centering prayer is alive and well in our diocese”, that being Brooklyn, New York, and more specifically, Long Island for the writer. The writer said that Pope John Paul II had a great love for contemplative prayer, but it is my understanding that centering prayer and contemplative prayer are two separate actions.

Anyway, sorry for the long post, but I would love to hear people’s experiences with centering prayer and their thoughts, because I’m really confused on this one! Thanks

Mary

 

[JimR-OCDS]

I am a revert to the Catholic Church, my husband and I having come back after 38 years. So there are a few things (to say the least) that are new to us from what we remember so many years ago. One of them is the practice of centering prayer. I have read pros and cons regarding this matter, and I myself tend to think it is very new age and something to be avoided, as Pope Benedict XVI seems to have said also. However, I know many churches have a formal practice of this.

Recently in our local Diocese paper, there was an article by a respected priest who said he has been doing it every day for 20 years. I wrote in to the paper and said I had heard that it was not a good thing. This week someone answered my letter and said that “Centering prayer is alive and well in our diocese”, that being Brooklyn, New York, and more specifically, Long Island for the writer. The writer said that Pope John Paul II had a great love for contemplative prayer, but it is my understanding that centering prayer and contemplative prayer are two separate actions.

Anyway, sorry for the long post, but I would love to hear people’s experiences with centering prayer and their thoughts, because I’m really confused on this one! Thanks

Mary

If you want to learn about Centering Prayer, please PM me.

You will not get accurate information in this forum, and Pope Benedict XVI never said anything about it.

Again, if you want information, PM me.

This forum only becomes a source of misinformation on the subject.

God Bless
Jim

 

[Brooklyn]

If you want to learn about Centering Prayer, please PM me.

You will not get accurate information in this forum, and Pope Benedict XVI never said anything about it.

Again, if you want information, PM me.

This forum only becomes a source of misinformation on the subject.

God Bless
Jim

Thank you for your offer, but I really feel that anything you have to say should be said in a public forum. This is not a doctrine of the church, and I think all opinions should be heard fairly. It is obvious you have very deeply held beliefs on this subject, and I respect that. But I want to hear all sides. That is why I posted here.

Mary

 

[JimR-OCDS]

This is not a doctrine of the church

Well Mary, by this statement is not actually true.

Centering Prayer, is based on the book, “The Cloud of Unknowing,” which is a centuries old Catholic book, written by an anonymous English Monk, on contemplative prayer.

Centery Prayer came about as a result of two monks, Father Thomas Keating and Father Basil Pennington(RIP). Both are Trappist Monks. During the 70’s, many young Catholics were leaving the Church and getting involved in Eastern Religions. Father Keating and Father Pennington, along with some other Catholic Clergy, were asked by the Vatican, to begin dialog with non-Christian of the East, in order to gain a better understanding of them, and also to share what we as Catholics have. In the course of this, they came to see that what was drawing young Catholics toward Eastern Religion, i.e. meditation and contemplation, was already a rich tradition in the Catholic Church. They knew St. John of the Cross and St. Teresa of Avila’s teachings on contemplative prayer and contemplation. So, the two monks asked themselves, “how can we teach this in a way, that lay Catholics could understand?” They came up with a method of prayer which was originally called, the Cloud Prayer, after the book title. They gave a week-end seminar to a group of Catholic clergy and taught this method of prayer. The group took it in and they came up with a name for it, “Centering Prayer,” which they probably took from the writings of Fr. Thomas Merton, who wrote about being centered on God.

The method of Centering Prayer, is very simple.

Sit quietly in a comfortable chair, in a place where you will not be disturbed.

Find a prayer word for yourself. This prayer world can be from Scripture, and many who do Lectio Divina, will often come across a verse in Scripture, which has meaning for them, and they will use this word. Others use words like, Yahweh, Lord Jesus, Holy Father, etc. Its up to you.

Then, begin by sitting for a moment and alow yourself to become quiet. This can be a struggle for many of us, who live hectic busy lives. Sitting for a minute doing nothing, can seem like an hour. After a minute or so, turn towards God and begin to pray using your prayer word. At first say it vocally, but softly and with reverence. . As you say the word, allow yourself to be drawn to the center of your being, where God dwells. Whenever you find yourself distracted by wandering thoughts, or physical distractions, gently return to the prayer word.

Everything is geared toward Jesus and allowing Him to bring you into his rest. Just be with Jesus. Eventually, in His presence you you become aware, that you’re no longer saying the prayer word, but just being with God, in the debth of your soul. However, if you become aware of this, gently return to the prayer word.

The prayer word is like the needle of a compass. It directs the intention of our will towards God. It has no purpose other than this. Our intention is being in the presence of God and loving Him, totally.

After a time, about 20 minutes for many people,( its not chiseled in stone), you’ll feel the need to end the prayer. Do so by reciting the Our Father. Say it gently and with reverence. Slowly open your eyes.

Essentially, that is “Centering Prayer.”

How God feeds you in prayer, is up to God. This is not a technique, to give us experiences of bliss or of the paranormal. Such things don’t happen.

Some people turn to Scripture right after, Myself, I say the Liturgy of the Hours First, and then do Centering Prayer.

I hope this explains it for you.

I’m sure some one is going to post the horrors of Centering Prayer, and how it comes straight from the Devil.

However, its nothing other than what I just explained. It is the prayer of love, between you and Jesus Christ.

Jim

 

[SuscipeMeDomine]

Centering prayer is an important part of my spiritual life. Since it’s not something you’re familiar with you may find it helpful to read about it. Fr. Thomas Keating has written extensively about it.

Open Mind, Open Heart is a wonderful introduction to the practice. You can purchase the book in any bookstore or you can read it online at centeringprayer.com/OpenHeart/index.htm

Many other articles and books are online at centeringprayer.com/archives.htm

 

[DBT]

While not condoning or condeming CP per se, I’ve found this quote from St. John of the Cross particularily helpful:
Ascent of Mt Carmel:

As often as distinct ideas, forms and images occur to them, they should immediately, without resting in them, turn to God in loving affection, in emptiness of everything rememberable. They should not look or think on these things for longer than is sufficient.

In many way this quote summarizes the entire teaching of St. John’s Ascent . . . he even presents it that way. What he is talking about extends the notion of CP from a 20 minute exercise to be a ceaseless, unending form of simplified prayer . . . 24/7. Any time, in any circumstance that our minds (thoughts, opinions, feelings whatever) are not required for the task before us, we should return to God in loving attention. Properly practiced, this is a pattern that will repeat itself hundreds of times a day. Our minds are occupied in a task, then we return to God. Our minds become occupied in another task, we return to God again. And so on and so on . . .

In short, we don’t dwell on any thought, opinion or feeling not needed for the duties of the present moment.

Dave.

 

[Corki]

Open Mind, Open Heart is a wonderful introduction to the practice. You can purchase the book in any bookstore or you can read it online at centeringprayer.com/OpenHeart/index.htm

Many other articles and books are online at centeringprayer.com/archives.htm

Open Mind, Open Heart is a great suggestion if you want to send someone running the other way. (no offense) I was given a penance once to read this book and it made me physically ill to finish it. It makes CP sound like a kooky new age gimmick, which it is not! It took me years to recover from my initial impression and to give CP an honest look.

The biggest problem with Centering Prayer is not the spirituality itself but the groups that have latched onto it. It is hard to take it seriously when it is offered by the same people who are offering classes in how to identify your own divine spirit and who always refer to God as “she”. I don’t think CP is new-age but the new-agers like it, promote it, and give it a bad name.

Centering prayer is one way to practice contemplative prayer. One danger to look out for is when a proponent of CP tries to tell you that it is the ONLY real prayer, that EVERYONE should be doing it, that it is THE prayer form for those who are mature in their prayer life. BUNK! Look at the great saints. There are many, many, valid spritualities out there with CP being just one of them.

 

[SuscipeMeDomine]

Open Mind, Open Heart is a great suggestion if you want to send someone running the other way.

I guess this is the proof that everyone’s tastes are different. I loved the book.

There are many, many, valid spritualities out there with CP being just one of them.

This is so important to remember! We all pray differently and that’s OK. I think there’s a tendency to think that if I am drawn to a particular form of prayer then everyone else should use that same form of prayer, and there’s no need for that. God relates to us as individuals with all of our personalities and quirks.

I teach in RCIA and one week we talked about prayer. I put together a list of probably a dozen different forms of prayer and we talked briefly about them. We wanted the folks in the program to know that there are a lot of different ways to pray and if one way didn’t “speak” to them then perhaps another one would. The key isn’t to pray a certain way…the key is to pray!

 

[Brooklyn]

Thank you all for your replies. I may be just an old fuddy duddy, and I mean that, but it seems kind of strange to me to empty your mind, I would think it could be opening a person up to anything, maybe good, maybe bad. How can you be sure that it is God communicating with you? I did find an article on this site from The Rock on centering prayer. Any thoughts on this?

catholic.com/thisrock/1997/9711fea1.asp

 

[inthecloud]

Any relationship between the Centering Prayer and the EO Jesus Prayer?
I saw in spanish EWTN people doing a singed version of the Jesus prayer during Eucaristic Adoration.

 

[Joysong]

Brooklyn:

Thank you all for your replies. I may be just an old fuddy duddy, and I mean that, but it seems kind of strange to me to empty your mind, I would think it could be opening a person up to anything, maybe good, maybe bad. How can you be sure that it is God communicating with you? I did find an article on this site from The Rock on centering prayer. Any thoughts on this?

Excuse me if I am misreading your intent here, Brooklyn, but it seems to me that you are trying to make a statement rather than listen to others who are trying to help you. Dave and Jim are well versed AND experienced in prayer and know of what they speak. You can trust their words, but you focus instead on concepts that are not prayer at all, like “empty your mind” and did not ask them for more clarification, if that is indeed what you seek.

This thread will not be very constructive if you oppose helpful posts and present your own research that negates their assistance. I pick up a lot of doubt in you and readiness to resist the concept of CP, based on your previous and, I sense, extensive research.

CAF had many lengthly threads this subject that will be helpful to you, if you care to research them as thoroughly as you have your other articles.

 

[DJHohl]

Here is another article:

acatholiclife.blogspot.com/2007/05/errors-of-centering-prayer.html

At one point the Congregation of the Faith, I think in 1989 issued a statement warning against centering Prayer and other meditations that “clear” the mind. It is thought that once clear, ANYTHING can enter, as opposed to Christian prayer that always focuses on Jesus. Think of The Stations of the Cross, the rosary, the Spiritual exercises, etc. They all focus the mind on Christ instead of emptying it.

There is no definitive ruling against it’s practice, but a great many of orthodox catholics see problems with it, along with other new age catholic practices such as “Healing Touch” Ennegram, etc.

Pax,
David

 

[Joysong]

BIG DIFFERENCE HERE:

Clear (empty) the mind is not the same as . . .

**FILL ** THE MIND with prayerful attention on Jesus, whether using words or wordless.

That is the main difference between authentic prayer which centers on Christ, and new age or oriental prayer which does not.

 

[Brooklyn]

Excuse me if I am misreading your intent here, Brooklyn, but it seems to me that you are trying to make a statement rather than listen to others who are trying to help you. Dave and Jim are well versed AND experienced in prayer and know of what they speak. You can trust their words, but you focus instead on concepts that are not prayer at all, like “empty your mind” and did not ask them for more clarification, if that is indeed what you seek.

This thread will not be very constructive if you oppose helpful posts and present your own research that negates their assistance. I pick up a lot of doubt in you and readiness to resist the concept of CP, based on your previous and, I sense, extensive research.

CAF had many lengthly threads this subject that will be helpful to you, if you care to research them as thoroughly as you have your other articles.

I think I stated in my OP that I do have a problem with centering prayer. But as I said, there was an article written by a priest I respect very much who says he does it every day, I know there are many churches who use it, and yet I see articles like the one I linked to. Who is right? Can both sides be right, those who say it is a great spiritual tool or those who say it is dangerous? Is there any way to know? I am actually afraid to try it because it scares me to just let my mind go blank.

Is there any absolute authority to look to in this matter? That is what I am asking.

Mary

 

[JimR-OCDS]

Here is another article:

acatholiclife.blogspot.com/2007/05/errors-of-centering-prayer.html

At one point the Congregation of the Faith, I think in 1989 issued a statement warning against centering Prayer and other meditations that “clear” the mind. It is thought that once clear, ANYTHING can enter, as opposed to Christian prayer that always focuses on Jesus. Think of The Stations of the Cross, the rosary, the Spiritual exercises, etc. They all focus the mind on Christ instead of emptying it.

There is no definitive ruling against it’s practice, but a great many of orthodox catholics see problems with it, along with other new age catholic practices such as “Healing Touch” Ennegram, etc.

Pax,
David

Dave, please!

The Congregation of Faith never mentions Centering Prayer, but rather things like Transcendental Meditation and other New Age type stuff, where the person attempts to go into a state of euphoria. People who think Centering Prayer is New Age Eastern meditation, use this document to condemn it. However, its not Centering Prayer that’s in error, but the people who condemn it, because of the false information they have.

This is not, I repeat, not Centering Prayer.

In Centering Prayer, you do not attempt to attempt to empty your mind of all thought. The purpose of Centering Prayer is focusing your attention on the presence of God, who is within you. The sacred prayer word, is nothing more than returning your focus to God, when you find yourself distracted.

Jim

 

[JimR-OCDS]

Any relationship between the Centering Prayer and the EO Jesus Prayer?
I saw in spanish EWTN people doing a singed version of the Jesus prayer during Eucaristic Adoration.

Very much like the Jesus Prayer. In fact, many people use the Jesus Prayer, or part of it, as their prayer word, when doing Centering Prayer.

I read the Way of the Pilgrim, and immediately knew what the monks were speaking about, when they taught the pilgrim the Jesus prayer.

Jim

 

[JimR-OCDS]

Corki

Open Mind, Open Heart is a great suggestion if you want to send someone running the other way. (no offense)

Open Mind Open Heart has the Imprimatur from the Church.

Its one of my favorite books.

Jim

 

[Joysong]

I think I stated in my OP that I do have a problem with centering prayer.
Your problem is with a ‘misunderstood’ concept of CP based on articles you read.

But as I said, there was an article written by a priest I respect very much who says he does it every day, I know there are many churches who use it, and yet I see articles like the one I linked to.

And yet you admitted you wrote back saying you ‘heard’ it was not a good thing. Has this been answered to your satisfaction?

Can both sides be right, those who say it is a great spiritual tool or those who say it is dangerous? Is there any way to know? I am actually afraid to try it because it scares me to just let my mind go blank.

Again, you cling to the wrong idea that those who practice it let their mind go blank, and it has been stated that this is NOT the case whatsoever, except for those in new age who use it as a technique, not as prayer. Those who say it is dangerous were familiar with the wrong application of it as understood by those who adopted oriental practices opposed to prayer.

When you become very advanced in prayer, you will see how easily the mind can center (be attentive) on Jesus for many intervals varying in length, without using any words. It is called acquired contemplation, which may open the soul for infused contemplation if it pleases God to grant it. You need to read the other articles on this in the forum, for some are very informative.

 

[DJHohl]

Jim, please!

I have all the facts on the matter, not false information. In fact I work with one of the pioneers of Centering Prayer and a place that has taught it since day one. I don’t however. There are a few key words you use that send red flags. #1, you refuse to mention Christ, only “God” which can be anything you imagine. It is vague on purpose, because it is not Christian. The other thing is you say God is WITHIN you. This is a totally new age concept. Of course God is in you because God is everywhere, but when you focus on the in-you part, it makes one think (like the new age view) that man is God (God is a higher aspect of man), and not the creator and separate from the created.

Also, it was interesting that you wanted to leave the forum and talk secretly to the poster about your views. Do you want to indoctrinate someone where they can’t see opposing views?

Having said all that, knock yourself out and practice it if it makes you happy. Since there is no definitive condemnation of it from Rome, you can go ahead and do it if it feels right to you. I just gave my opinion and I have a right to feel that way and share my views. You have a right to practice what you want. Of course, if it is ever condemned from Rome then you’ll have to stop or decide to be out of communion with the Church.

I don’t think your head will explode and you’ll spit pea soup if you practice it, I just don’t think it is especially Christian or will bring you closer to CHRIST than other traditional prayer methods which there are many-more than enough for a lifetime of study.

Pax,
David

P.S. Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

 

[Brooklyn]

The purpose of Centering Prayer is focusing your attention on the presence of God, who is within you.
Jim

This is what scares me. I know as a Christian that God dwells within me through the Holy Spirit, but that is not where I look for him. When I look within, all I see is sin and rebellion. “Looking within” has only caused me problems and led me astray in the past.

If I’m understanding it correctly, centering prayer seems to be a very passive method of trying to reach God. Contemplative prayer is not passive, it is very active because you are concentrating and thinking. The Church here on earth is called the Church Militant, which would seem to imply activity. Centering prayer, in my eyes, seems to imply just letting yourself go “limp.”

I truly am not trying to argue, but to understand. But maybe my prejudices are just going to get in the way.

Mary