Centering Prayer, also known as Contemplative Prayer, is a form of Christian meditation and a movement founded by Father Thomas Keating and others in the 1970s. Centering Prayer differs from prayer as we usually think of it in that it is a receptive method of prayer. While prayer is usually about talking to God, asking of God, and giving thanks and praise, Centering Prayer is about listening to God.
Centering Prayer is not meant to replace prayer, but to enhance it. Before practicing Centering Prayer, one might begin with some spoken prayer as a means of opening a space for receiving from God during the session.
The Centering Prayer method is quite simple. Here are four steps as outlined in the guidelines from Contemplative Outreach:
- Choose a sacred word as the symbol of your intention to consent to God’s presence and action within.
- Sitting comfortably and with eyes closed, settle briefly and silently introduce the sacred word as the symbol of your consent to God’s presence and action within.
- When engaged with your thoughts, return ever-so-gently to the sacred word.
- At the end of the prayer period, remain in silence with eyes closed for a couple of minutes.
A Centering Prayer session typically lasts about 20 minutes, and it is most helpful to practice twice a day if possible — similar guidelines to many forms of meditation. It should be no surprise that Fr. Thomas Keating met with the Dalai Lama to share this practice, and a film was produced to document their discussion.
There are some differences between Centering Prayer and meditation, mainly in that Centering Prayer is meant to be a process of transformation in Christ. It is a Christ-centered practice, which makes it uniquely Christian. Scriptural reading and understanding is also a part of this practice.
To learn more about Centering Prayer, visit Contemplative Outreach. They offer videos, brochures, online courses, and a current list of workshop locations around the world.
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