Thomas Keating Centering Prayer Guidelines Intro

Centering Prayer, eight minute introduction by the founder, Fr. Thomas Keating. This edited, brief "How To" is designed to encourage further exploration of the ancient mystical prayer practice that can lead to Contemplation

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[Paul Ratcliff]

What purpose is a symbol for? Ive been using this method of prayer for along time as described in books by: Brother Lawrence of the Resurrection, Madame Guyon, and Andrew Murray to name a few with great success. I only focus on His presence with all my soul. Can you elaborate about using a symbol please.

[Larry Weiss]

Hello, P4C, sorry to be late responding. The word is only a symbol to remind us of our intention to consent to the presence and action of God within. Being human, we find it difficult to keep our minds from drifting. It has no more value than a road sign. It is not a repeated mantra, it is not an object of worship. It is solely used to "refocus" oneself from where our thoughts are drifting, back to our original intention to be silent, still and attentive in God's presence.

[SuperSerenity007]

For the people who leave remarks about this not being bibicial, its a shame, any kind of relationship where people are seeking God more is all good. Why should i get on this site and discourage, becuz i dont agree. The so-callled bibical christan dosent even meditate and thats a shame. And the only time they think their in His Presence is when their in church. Keep Seeking and You Shall Find.

[Richard Hanna]

God himself tells us how to Meditate or pray; "Be still and know that I am God" Centering prayer is an intelligent technique based on God's advice

[mainece]

centering prayer for me is the best personal prayer because you are alone with God. This prayer will lead you to deliverance from the bandage of sins and for inner peace.

[James Obsession]

Well, did you "become God" through centering prayer, like father thomas keating says?

[Mike Nelson]

As a practitioner of Centering Prayer, I have been deeply enriched by the work of Christian contemplative Bernadette Roberts (author of "The Experience of No-Self"), especially her new book, "The Real Christ" (2012), which description can be found at Bernadette's Friends website.

[PeterOzanne]

But the Bible is full of Jesus' instructions on being present and peaceful! - "give no thought for the morrow", "gird up the loins of your mind", "enter into my rest", "the Kingdom of God is within you","seek first the Kingdom of God", "watch and pray", "you cannot add one inch to your height by thinking", "the lilies of the field toil not (etc)". I don't think there's even anything wrong with specific techniques, and how do we know Jesus didn't give those too, and they just weren't recorded?

[TheExastrologer]

Ps.46:10 is a rebuke to those fighting against Israel and God, and to Israel who was not trusting God. It's not addressed to an individual and it has nothing to do with prayer. Christians should rightly divide the word of God and not make a verse into something it's not. I'm commenting here because I don't see where I can reply to individual comments.

[PeterOzanne]

Can you "Cease striving" physically but not mentally? No, and even if you could, it would still leave you in a bad place. Does Ps. 46:10 not want you to be peaceful in your mind?

Anyway, whoever told you, mistakenly, that meditation means getting into a non-thinking state?? That's such a misconception. Meditation is NOT non-thinking, and not against the Bible. It's just letting go, not blanking out! In meditation we just become aware that our ego is not fixed and solid, and see more clearly.

[Spillers72]

I do my own meditation. Sometimes I do a focus on a word or phrase, sometimes its contemplative, other times its just to create oneness. At times it can also be just for relaxation. My question is though, what do you think about using music. I love to use easy listining music and/or music with environmental sounds.

[ja46231]

Another spiritual genius.