Have you heard of Centering Prayer?

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whatevergirl

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thecentering.org/centering_method.html

Here is a link for you to check it out, if you like. It’s interesting. I am not quite sure if we are just supposed to utter one or two main sacred words, or if something more is required? There are a few parishes in my area that are exploring this type of prayer.

It just seems so different from the type of prayer I’m used to, although, when I pray the Rosary, I usually have relaxing meditative background music on, and I’m in a meditative type “position.”
 
Centering Prayer has the wrong focus. All Christian Meditiation is EXTERNALLY focused, on God, on the saints, on our interaction with others.

Centering Prayer turns that 180° and focuses inward.

The concept is also entirely wrong, in Christian meditation, we are to direct our thought towards God, the goal of Centering Prayer is to elimination thought entirely.

Here is a letter on proper Christian Meditation by then Cardinal Ratzinger

ewtn.com/library/CURIA/CDFMED.HTM
 
whatevergirl said:
thecentering.org/centering_method.html

Here is a link for you to check it out, if you like. It’s interesting. I am not quite sure if we are just supposed to utter one or two main sacred words, or if something more is required? There are a few parishes in my area that are exploring this type of prayer.

It just seems so different from the type of prayer I’m used to, although, when I pray the Rosary, I usually have relaxing meditative background music on, and I’m in a meditative type “position.”
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It can be dangerous!
catholic.com/thisrock/1997/9711fea1.asp
 
Centering Prayer is not dangerous or wrong or unapproved by the Church. People do have strong opinions pro/con about it, however.

Thomas Keating is an excellent source to find out what it’s really about, and to assume it’s only an “inward focused” prayer is wrong - that’s not the intent. In it’s simplest form, we were taught that it is a “technique” for cleansing the soul of secular stuff to prepare for a deeper involvement byu the Holy Spirit, and through which other activities you do to move toward CHrist will be more effective. The process of growing in true love, manifested by entrance into Heaven, is a process of cleansing the soul. A focused attention and contemplation on God helps cleanse the soul.

How is that dangerous?

thecentering.org/centering_method.html
 
Brendan said:
Centering Prayer has the wrong focus. All Christian Meditiation is EXTERNALLY focused, on God, on the saints, on our interaction with others.

Centering Prayer turns that 180° and focuses inward.

The concept is also entirely wrong, in Christian meditation, we are to direct our thought towards God, the goal of Centering Prayer is to elimination thought entirely.

Here is a letter on proper Christian Meditation by then Cardinal Ratzinger

ewtn.com/library/CURIA/CDFMED.HTM
Click to expand...
Did you see the link? I thought what you are saying before too…but, it seems that the centering prayer has to do with centering our lives on God. Why would church parishes promote it?? Just wondering…?
 
awalt said:
Centering Prayer is not dangerous or wrong or unapproved by the Church. People do have strong opinions pro/con about it, however.

Thomas Keating is an excellent source to find out what it’s really about, and to assume it’s only an “inward focused” prayer is wrong - that’s not the intent. In it’s simplest form, we were taught that it is a “technique” for cleansing the soul of secular stuff to prepare for a deeper involvement byu the Holy Spirit, and through which other activities you do to move toward CHrist will be more effective. The process of growing in true love, manifested by entrance into Heaven, is a process of cleansing the soul. A focused attention and contemplation on God helps cleanse the soul.

How is that dangerous?

thecentering.org/centering_method.html
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precisely…if one checks out the site i provided…he/she will see that there seems to be some significant value to this type of prayer.
my personal struggle with it though is…how is saying one word (center word) supposed to draw me to God? And, also…I’m so used to saying the Rosary…the Our Father…words of petition, and thanksgiving…is that not really ‘permitted’ in centering prayer?

anybody?:confused:
 
My two cents’ worth is that centering prayer takes aspects of contemplative prayer and tries to make them accessible to everyone. For example, the Cloud of Unknowing, which has stood the test of time, talks about the repetition of a single one-syllable word over and over again.

The problem is that, ultimately, (infused) contemplative prayer is not a method, but a work of God in those who have reached a certain stage in their spiritual lives (I speak as one who is definitely NOT there). So for most people I would imagine the result of centering prayer would be very different from contemplation, something more quietistic or even new age.

I would imagine that Christian meditation (= mental prayer), for example, like the meditations you would find in St. Francis de Sales’ Introduction to the Devout Life, would be a lot more profitable.
 
nana3 said:
I found this on the web. Check this website on the dangers of centering prayers.

catholicculture.org/docs/doc_view.cfm?recnum=234
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I copied and pasted two interesting paragraphs from that link…wow. I wonder though, why wouldn’t we, if we are solid in our faith…not be ‘permitted’ to meditate? Meditation on God…on our love for Christ? Is the Catholic church somehow being duped (I speak of individual parishes, not the Vatican, certainly) to thinking that this is something far from what this article conveys??
I mean…my parish for one, is offering a workshop on it…for several weeks. :confused: :confused: :confused:

from the link:

In Catholic teaching, all men are creatures, called out of nothingness to know God. All men are also sinners, cut off from God and destined to death. A Christian is one whose life has been reconstituted in Christ. He is no longer in the place and stance of a sinner, that is, apart from God, acting as if he were the ultimate source, measure, and goal of his own behavior. He is in Christ. Henceforth, his life is supposed to originate in Christ and to be directed to God the Father. I say “supposed to” for it is a possibility that must be acted upon. It is not automatic. The grace of baptism must be incarnated in obedience, and, even after baptism, the Christian can choose to conform to Christ or to his fallen nature, that is, to sin.

Eastern religions, in contrast, lack revelation of God as a personal Creator who radically transcends his creatures. Though possessing many praiseworthy elements, they nonetheless seek God as if he were part of the universe, rather than its Creator. This is because they are monistic, seeing all reality as one. Thus, God is a dimension, though hidden, of the same reality of which man is a part. The goal therefore is to peel away the exterior world to get to the spiritual reality beneath it. God is conceived of as an impersonal state of being. In contrast, for Christians, God is the Real, and the whole of the universe exists by God’s free choice; creation is a second, contingent reality-and, in Christian thought, did not need to exist. Moreover, this contingent universe is the result of a God who is vastly more than mere being; he is a loving Father.
 
whatevergirl said:
precisely…if one checks out the site i provided…he/she will see that there seems to be some significant value to this type of prayer.
my personal struggle with it though is…how is saying one word (center word) supposed to draw me to God? And, also…I’m so used to saying the Rosary…the Our Father…words of petition, and thanksgiving…is that not really ‘permitted’ in centering prayer?

anybody?:confused:
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Whatevergirl:

To exchange the Rosary for Centering Prayer is like exchanging your college diploma for a pre-school certificate. The Rosary is both a meditative and oral prayer (like most, I cannot think and speak at the same time, so to pray the Rosary as it is meant to be prayed is quite a challenge for me.) You seem to be at home meditating on the Mysteries and praying the spoken prayers – this is very advanced, and there is no limit to the spiritual development that will come if you persevere in praying the Rosary. John Paul the Great and Pope Benedict XVI are both advocates of the Rosary – have either of them ever said word one about Centering Prayer? That by itself is enough to make you go, hhmmmm? Mary gave us the Rosary, who gave us Centering Prayer? Again, hhhhhmmmmmm?

Maybe Centering Prayer is good, maybe it is dangerous. Maybe it is Eastern Paganism or New Age Paganism or just navel gazing. Why bother with it? Cling to the Rosary, meditate upon its holy mysteries.

Marsha
 
Marsha_Adams said:
Whatevergirl:

To exchange the Rosary for Centering Prayer is like exchanging your college diploma for a pre-school certificate. The Rosary is both a meditative and oral prayer (like most, I cannot think and speak at the same time, so to pray the Rosary as it is meant to be prayed is quite a challenge for me.) You seem to be at home meditating on the Mysteries and praying the spoken prayers – this is very advanced, and there is no limit to the spiritual development that will come if you persevere in praying the Rosary. John Paul the Great and Pope Benedict XVI are both advocates of the Rosary – have either of them ever said word one about Centering Prayer? That by itself is enough to make you go, hhmmmm? Mary gave us the Rosary, who gave us Centering Prayer? Again, hhhhhmmmmmm?

Maybe Centering Prayer is good, maybe it is dangerous. Maybe it is Eastern Paganism or New Age Paganism or just navel gazing. Why bother with it? Cling to the Rosary, meditate upon its holy mysteries.

Marsha
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Marsha Marsha Marsha (lol remember the Brady Bunch? lol) Ok…just teasing. I just couldn’t resist.:p:p 😛

Marsha;

Thank you for your words–you have really spoken to my heart…how true–JP2 did not bring this up…nor any other popes that I can recollect. I never looked at it this way. I do not think that centering prayer is to replace any of the Catholic traditional prayers, but I can see where practicing something of ‘eastern’ cultures…might lead one (tempt one?) to go deeper into those realms. I have always been intrigued by Buddhism…perhaps, for the meditative aspect of it, but I always thought they were, like us…(just a different path altogether) seeking God in their prayers.

You have helped me to see the light…thank you, Marsha…think I’ll stay away from this–maybe I should share that article with my parish??? Don’t they know the inherent, potential dangers?😦 :confused:
 
If you check the link I posted on Fr. Keating’s site above, you will see centering prayer does NOT NOT NOT replace other types of prayer!
 
–maybe I should share that article with my parish??? Don’t they know the inherent said:
I will pray that it will go well for you. I have a Diocese retreat center near where I live and when I wanted to leave materials on EWTN, and this was years ago, they said no for they disagreed with Mother Angelic on centering prayer. They said they teach it there and didn’t want Mother Angelic’s station interfering. There is a community of priest who live there also and they all agree with centering prayer. There are still many Catholic who unfortunately like this way of praying.
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JMJ + OBT​

Whatevergirl, you might be interested in learning about another Western Christian, Christ-centered form of meditation, which could serve as a less-controversial alternative to centering prayer:

Lectio Divina

Or download the same essay as a nicely-formatted PDF file: The Practice of Lectio Divina. (also available as an RTF document.)

Pope Benedict XVI has encouraged a rediscovery of and recommitment to Lectio Divina among the Catholic faithful:
Benedict XVI Reflects on "Dei Verbum"
“‘Lectio Divina’ Will Bring to the Church a New Spiritual Springtime”
2005-11-08
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In this context, I would like in particular to recall and recommend the ancient tradition of “Lectio divina”: “the diligent reading of Sacred Scripture accompanied by prayer brings about that intimate dialogue in which the person reading hears God who is speaking, and in praying, responds to him with trusting openness of heart” (cf. Dei Verbum, n. 25). If it is effectively promoted, this practice will bring to the Church – I am convinced of it – a new spiritual springtime.
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In the Hearts of Jesus and Mary.

IC XC NIKA
 
whosebob said:
JMJ + OBT​

Whatevergirl, you might be interested in learning about another Western Christian, Christ-centered form of meditation, which could serve as a less-controversial alternative to centering prayer:

Lectio Divina

Or download the same essay as a nicely-formatted PDF file: The Practice of Lectio Divina. (also available as an RTF document.)

Pope Benedict XVI has encouraged a rediscovery of and recommitment to Lectio Divina among the Catholic faithful:

In the Hearts of Jesus and Mary.

IC XC NIKA
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OMG–THIS LOOKS AMAZING. I think it’s a blessing to have such a wonderful ‘new’ prayer in the Catholic faith. (I say new, because it is new to me) I wonder if anyone else is familiar with this way to pray? I enjoy my prayer life…but, sometimes, I want to follow something both contemplative and meditative…at the same time, honoring Christ…it is hard to find such prayerful ‘activities’ woven into one prayer.

Just another reason to fall in love with the Catholic faith. Thank you bob!!!

Everyone here should check this link out. It’s very lengthy…but worth the read.👍 👍 👍
 
The term “centering prayer” is used in different ways. One involves shutting out all distractions and focussing solely on Christ or on Sacred Scripture (Lectio Divina). This is classical Christian meditation and is a wonderful thing to do.

A more prevalent kind of centering prayer strives to empty the mind of every thought at all, sometimes with the assistance of a mantra. This is essentially Buddhist theology, which is the opposite of Christianity in many ways. This type of meditation removes your guard and opens you to things you may not want to deal with, such as evil spirits. My advice on centering prayer: Check it out, but BEWARE. Like the Enneagram, this latter type of centering prayer is advanced by those who are not well rooted in the Catholic tradition (prevailing especially among liberal religious orders of women) and falls under the category of New Age spirituality.
 
Cavaille-Coll said:
The term “centering prayer” is used in different ways. One involves shutting out all distractions and focussing solely on Christ or on Sacred Scripture (Lectio Divina). This is classical Christian meditation and is a wonderful thing to do.

A more prevalent kind of centering prayer strives to empty the mind of every thought at all, sometimes with the assistance of a mantra. This is essentially Buddhist theology, which is the opposite of Christianity in many ways. This type of meditation removes your guard and opens you to things you may not want to deal with, such as evil spirits. My advice on centering prayer: Check it out, but BEWARE. Like the Enneagram, this latter type of centering prayer is advanced by those who are not well rooted in the Catholic tradition (prevailing especially among liberal religious orders of women) and falls under the category of New Age spirituality.
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I believe what you are saying here, but how does ‘chanting’ the word peace, let’s say…open one up to evil spirits? Because we are not focusing on Christ, would you say? I personally would rather do the Lectio…after reading the info the one poster provided above…it seems rich with all that one could ever hope for in prayer. I think we sometimes are intrigued by eastern prayer life, because they do seem like peaceful people, so we say to ourselves…'how can i ‘get that?’ (peace) For me, I have found the Rosary to be an absolute refuge from the harsh world…and a saving grace for all of my prayer needs.
 
whatevergirl said:
I believe what you are saying here, but how does ‘chanting’ the word peace, let’s say…open one up to evil spirits? Because we are not focusing on Christ, would you say?
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Whatevergirl:

It isn’t the chanting that opens one to evil spirits, it is the total emptying of the mind. Have you ever read the parable about the man who had a demon cast out and the demon travelled around with no place to reside and returned to the man. The demon found his former place all clean and garnished and EMPTY and went out and found seven fellow demons and they all came back and moved in? I think that is the underlying danger.

Marsha
 
The Orthodox and Eastern Catholic Churches advocate “The Jesus Prayer” which is a sort of centering prayer.
Code: 
      Lord Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner.
The basis for this prayer is St. Paul instructions to pray constantly. It is not an “emptying prayer”, but one that fills the soul with a penitent prayer.

Many of the Eastern Monastics (Cathoic and Orthodox) pray this prayer throughout the day, first verbally and then eventually as it becomes engrained mentally in tune with breathing. Some more experienced monks use a particular physical stance while praying this way though it is discouraged these days.

It should be noted that it is **ALWAYS STRONGLY **advised that prior to adopting this prayer as a part of one’s life, the person should be under the instruction of a qualified priest/monk. The Way of the Pilgrim is an excellent text that describes this prayer.
 
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