A Little Background on Centering Prayer (Excerpt from my new book, Be Still and Listen) 09-06-2018

Centering prayer, a term first coined by Thomas Merton, is a method of silent prayer with deep historic roots. Centering prayer is preserved in Western Contemplative tradition, most notably in The Cloud of Unknowing and in the teachings of John of the Cross and Teresa of Avila.

Centering prayer was made contemporary in recent decades by Basil Pennington, Thomas Keating, William Meninger, Cynthia Bourgeault, James Finley, David Frenette, Phileena Heuertz, Richard Rohr, and many others. Perhaps the fourth-century monk Evagrius gave the best description of all, calling centering prayer “the shedding of thoughts.” It trains the mind to become free from thoughts and distractions so it can “rest in God” (Ps. 62:5).

A primary evangelical arm, so to speak, of contemporary centering prayer tradition is Contemplative Outreach, Ltd. Contemplative Outreach produces resources, facilitates centering prayer retreats worldwide, and administers a website.

Amazon is offering the kindle version of Be Still and Listen for $6.99.

Also by Amos Smith, Healing the Divide: Recovering Christianity’s Mystic Roots

Centering Prayer Course:  A Training Course for Opening to the Presence of God – Centering Prayer is a silent prayer practice that can move you toward a profound relationship with the Spirit of God within. It is a way of praying that opens the door to the Divine Indwelling—the ground of our being. With Centering Prayer, Father Thomas Keating and his colleagues Gail Fitzpatrick-Hopler and Father Carl Arico present the first online course in this method for deepening your intimacy with God and ultimately consenting to the presence and action of the Divine in all aspects of your life.

David Frenette’s book The Path of Centering Prayer re-energized the Centering Prayer tradition with its fresh insights and teachings. This companion audio program—created to be equally rewarding as a stand-alone guide—gives listeners an immersive resource to learn contemplative prayer, step by step and in the moment. With clarity and compassionate presence, Frenette explains the essential principles of this contemplative practice for both new and seasoned practitioners, and then guides us experientially through core prayers and meditations.

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