TIP examines centering prayer, fighting structural evil, the Iona Community
Centering prayer, the Iona Community in Scotland, and structural evil were among the topics discussed during the first Turtle Island regional conference in northern Michigan.
TIP Board Chairman and Co-Fouder Rev. Dr. George Cairns explained why centering prayer helps fight structural evil and other problems in life.
TIP volunteer media advisor Greg Peterson has the story:
Time: 9:25
**Notice we have additional information/websites and information on all these topics in this script.
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Summary of Turtle Island Project websites & TV (video) sites:
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Turtle Island Project websites/Blogs:
TIP website:
http://www.turtleislandproject.org
TIP Sacred Places website
Upload your own Sacred Place:
http://www.NorthAmericaSacredPlaces.org
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Other sites:
http://groups.msn.com/WhisperingTurtle
http://turtleislandproject.wordpress.com/
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Turtle Island TV - Video sites:
(blipTV)
http://turtleislandtv.blip.tv/
(youtube)
http://www.youtube.com/MunisingWhiteHorse
(myspace)
http://www.myspace.com/TurtleIslandProject
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Iona Community website:
http://www.iona.org.uk/
Isle of Iona:
http://www.isle-of-iona.com/
Iona Community - U.S. Outreach:
http://www.iona-nwf.org/
Iona on Answers.com
http://www.answers.com/topic/iona-community
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Centering Prayer websites & Rev. Thomas Keating, Trappist monk
Arkansas Catholic - Great photo of Father Keating w/a class:
http://www.arkansascatholic.org/article.php?id=616
University of Flordia - Spirituality and Health: Good photo of Keating in thought
http://www.spiritualityandhealth.ufl.edu/events/details_past_event.asp?id=1007
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Hartley Foundation: Good closeup photo of Father Keating:
http://hartleyfoundation.org/contemplative-life
The Centering:
http://www.thecentering.org/
http://www.thecentering.org/centering_method.html
http://www.thecentering.org/therapy.html
Keating to talk in San Francisco on Nov. 3 and 4, 2007
http://www.thecentering.org/Keating%202007.pdf
Belief Net.com reprint of article on Keating: "Resting in God."
http://www.beliefnet.com/story/2/story_217_1.html
Another reprint:
http://www.livingrosaries.org/interview.htm
Centering Prayer:
http://www.centeringprayer.com/cntrgpryr.htm
http://www.centeringprayer.com/frntpage.htm
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Definition of Contemplative Prayer: As it is expressed in a modern day movement is mystically (i.e. based on a technique or method) in which one empties the mind of thought through repetition, usually of a word or phrase or focus on the breath. In this case the silence would be an absence of thought, all thought.
Keating defines centering prayer as "a very simple method in which one opens one's self to God and consents to his presence in us and to his actions within us." Centering prayer is a meditative method, but where Buddhist Vipassana meditation or Christian meditation, as developed by Benedictine monk John Main, use a point of focus such as concentration on the breath or repetition of a mantra, centering prayer relies more on intention than attention. Releasing any distractions caused by thoughts or emotions, the practitioner simply "waits for God." Beyond words, emotions, and thoughts, centering prayer is, says Keating, like "two friends sitting in silence, just being in each other's presence."
The purpose of contemplative prayer is to enter an altered state of consciousness in order to find one's true self, thus finding God. This true self relates to the belief that man is basically good. Proponents of contemplative prayer teach that all human beings have a divine center and that all, not just born again believers, should practice contemplative prayer.
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Iona Community - Scotland:
Iona is a small island off the west coast of Scotland, where in 563 Columba founded a Celtic monastery that was very influential in its own times. In the middle ages it was the site of a Benedictine abbey and over the centuries has attracted many thousands of people on their own pilgrim journeys.
The Iona Community, founded in 1938 by the Rev George MacLeod, then a parish minister in Glasgow is an ecumenical Christian community that is committed to seeking new ways of living the Gospel in today's world. Initially this purpose was expressed through the rebuilding of the monastic quarters of the mediaeval abbey on Iona and pursued in mission and ministry throughout Scotland and beyond. The Community today remains committed to
rebuilding the common life, through working for social and political change, striving for the renewal of the church with an ecumenical emphasis, and exploring new more inclusive approaches to worship, all based on an integrated understanding of spirituality.
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Centering prayer is very easy to do, but you immediately come up against the amazing noise of the mind. You need to learn how to be patient and to move beyond this level.
Lehmann108 1 year ago
TRUE
simplegrl11589 2 years ago
what you resist persists. fighting "structural evil" will only keep it in place.
FrequencyGenerator 3 years ago
Please watch the video Contemplative prayer by Karensfaith which explains he difference between that and Biblical prayer.
pianohbc 3 years ago
Interesting video and channel!
enjoythevoyage 4 years ago
Sweet comment - You are correct.
YOOPERNEWSMAN 4 years ago
If contemplative prayer is "pagan", then Christians have been pagan for over 2000 years! True love requires sincere listening ...
sweetredredwine 4 years ago
Jay Man - wow are you out there - Occult - Pagan - you need to meditate my friend.
Ironically - my mentors name was Jay Mann - thankfully he was enlightened and not dark living in fear that he's be swept up in the Satanic spirit world.
These guys believe in what Jesus taught - and that's scary to some Christians who don't know the word "Mission."
But you are entitled to you opinion - even if troubled.
YOOPERNEWSMAN 4 years ago