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Come to the Quiet
Centering Prayer is a silent
practice of contemplation with roots in 5th
century Christianity, which was revitalized in the
Catholic Church during the 1970s. It is based on
Christ’s injunction in the gospel of Matthew to “go
into your closet to pray” – a process of retiring
inward by shunning all attention to the senses, in
order to achieve an awareness of God’s unceasing
presence. So we seek -- not just to be with God as
separate Being -- but to notice and enjoy the God
that is at our very center, dwelling within us and
loving us from the inside out. In centering prayer,
we go to this center and rest with God. At our
weekly session, we practice the prayer for 20
minutes in silence, followed by a short study from
one of the ancient or modern teachers.
All are welcomed to join us for just one session,
intermittently, or on a regular basis. The Centering
group gathers each Tuesday starting September 9,
from 9:15 am – 10:45 am in the Upper Room of the
Education Building.
This year’s studies will be derived from the
following teachings:
CENTERING PRAYER: RENEWING AN ANCIENT CHRISTIAN
PRAYER FORM
M. Basil Pennington, O.C.S.O – several talks on CD.
1982
GREAT THEMES OF PAUL: LIFE AS PARTICIPATON
Richard Rohr, O.F.M. - several talks on CD. 2002
THE INNER ROOM
Thomas Keating, O.C.S.O. and Richard Rohr, O.F.M. –
several talks on DVD. 2008
THE PRACTICE OF THE PRESENCE OF GOD
Brother Lawrence of the Resurrection, 17th
century book in modern translation. 1991
FALLING INTO THE ARMS OF GOD
Megan Don
Book from 2005, interpreting the works of 16th
century mystic Saint Teresa of Avila.
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