Thoughts of centering prayer

[RileyG]

What is your opinion on centering prayer? As Christians, I know we are not supposed to feel "empty."

Is it biblical or permissive?

Thanks

 

[WarriorAngel]

What is your opinion on centering prayer? As Christians, I know we are not supposed to feel "empty."

Is it biblical or permissive?

Thanks

Emotions come and go.
We can still have faith without feeling it. Emptiness like everything else such as the highs we get in graces, ebbs and flows.

Our Deacon taught us centering prayer [in his version anyway] was to envision Jesus standing before you and praying to Him as though speaking to His person face to face.

 

[RileyG]

Emotions come and go.
We can still have faith without feeling it. Emptiness like everything else such as the highs we get in graces, ebbs and flows.

Our Deacon taught us centering prayer [in his version anyway] was to envision Jesus standing before you and praying to Him as though speaking to His person face to face.

Almost sounds like imaginative prayer to me! Similar to Ignatian prayer, perhaps?

 

[WarriorAngel]

Almost sounds like imaginative prayer to me! Similar to Ignatian prayer, perhaps?

I forget which order uses it. Our deacon told us.
I suppose it helps us focus on His Real Being.
I don't do it, I have. I think of Him, though.

 

[RileyG]

I forget which order uses it. Our deacon told us.
I suppose it helps us focus on His Real Being.
I don't do it, I have. I think of Him, though.

Yes. The Jesuits use imaginative prayer/contemplation. It's part of their spirituality.

 

[chevyontheriver]

Yes. The Jesuits use imaginative prayer/contemplation. It's part of their spirituality.

And at least as far as it had been done for centuries it was far far better than any sort of emptying prayer. Emptying prayer is ... vacuous.

 

[JimR-OCDS]

I've been doing Centering Prayer as taught by Fr Keating, for over 40 years now.

It was originally called, "Quiet Prayer," or "Prayer of Quiet," which goes back to
the forth century mystics like Abba Isaac and St John Casein.
See the 1917 Catholic Encyclopedia,...............CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA: Prayer of Quiet

The term became Centering Prayer when Fr Keating and Fr Pennington were giving
a retreat to religious. The focus was on Thomas Merton's writings on St John of the
Cross where he used the term, "Centering," so much, that as the retreatants talked
and asked questions about it, they just started to call it "Centering Prayer." The term
stuck, but became negative as people misinterpreted what it was and thought it was
what the New Age movement called "centering." They are not the same.

Emptying is merely emptying oneself of thoughts and ideas which have nothing
to do with being present in prayer. Centering Prayer is the beginning of Contemplative Prayer or as St Teresa of Avila called it, "Interior Prayer."

A good book to read on this in addition to Fr Keating's, is "Into the Silent Land," by
Fr Martin Laird. In the book he uses the original term, "Quiet Prayer," for as he wrote,
"Centering Prayer," means different things to many people.

 

[Gnarwhal]

What is your opinion on centering prayer? As Christians, I know we are not supposed to feel "empty."

Is it biblical or permissive?

Thanks

I don't believe it is, I would steer clear. Centering prayer has it's roots in Buddhism and eastern meditation practices. I would look to something like Lectio Divina to accomplish somewhat similar results but totally rooted in the one true faith, rather than emptying your mind which is what centering prayer and eastern religions teach, fill your mind with sacred scripture. That's a way better option, don't you think?

 

[JimR-OCDS]

I don't believe it is, I would steer clear. Centering prayer has it's roots in Buddhism and eastern meditation practices. I would look to something like Lectio Divina to accomplish somewhat similar results but totally rooted in the one true faith, rather than emptying your mind which is what centering prayer and eastern religions teach, fill your mind with sacred scripture. That's a way better option, don't you think?

This is false !

Centering Prayer has nothing to do with Buddhism and Eastern meditation.

This false information has been around for a while and it came about
in time after Pope Paul VI asked the contemplative orders to begin dialogue with
Eastern religions, as young Catholics where joining them. Fr Keating
who was Abbot at St Joseph's Abbey in Spencer, asked the leaders of a Buddhist
Monastery near St Joseph's, to come and talk with the monks there. When they
learned what Buddhists meditation was, Fr Keating and the others knew immediately
that they were already doing Contemplative Prayer and it has a rich tradition in Christianity
going back to the 4th century mystics.


Although the methods are similar, Centering Prayer is Christ centered and Buddhist
meditation is self centered. Buddhists also use prayer beads and Catholics aren't about to give up praying the Rosary because Buddhists also use them.

As a Discalced Carmelite myself, we studied St Teresa of Avila and St John of the Cross' teaching on quiet interior prayer, also known as contemplative prayer.

Please don't spread the misinformation on Centering Prayer that was done back in the days
of Catholic Answers Forums, where the subject was once banned until it was show how wrong
they were.

 

[chevyontheriver]

I don't believe it is, I would steer clear. Centering prayer has it's roots in Buddhism and eastern meditation practices. I would look to something like Lectio Divina to accomplish somewhat similar results but totally rooted in the one true faith, rather than emptying your mind which is what centering prayer and eastern religions teach, fill your mind with sacred scripture. That's a way better option, don't you think?

JimR makes a good point about lots of different definitions of 'centering prayer'. That means that while some may be far out others might not be. Lots of variation. Probably best to distinguish more and generalize less.

 

[Gnarwhal]

JimR makes a good point about lots of different definitions of 'centering prayer'. That means that while some may be far out others might not be. Lots of variation. Probably best to distinguish more and generalize less.

That's fair. There might be some practices that, say, Thomas Merton used—although even him I would be careful with because I've heard near the end of his life he got real into eastern spirituality and kind of strayed from the path.

 

[chevyontheriver]

That's fair. There might be some practices that, say, Thomas Merton used—although even him I would be careful with because I've heard near the end of his life he got real into eastern spirituality and kind of strayed from the path.

'Zen and the Birds of Appetite' was an odd book, too odd for me.

I liked what Hans Urs von Balthasar had to say in his book 'Christian Meditation'. His big point was that meditation should be Word centered and not centered on a nullity.

There is a lot of noise in our lives, and a critical lack of silence. We do need to get quiet to effectively pray anything beyond a quick interjection. Cardinal Sarah calls it the dictatorship of noise.

"Silence is difficult but it makes a human being able to allow himself to be led by God. Silence is born of silence. Through God the silent one we can gain access to silence. And a human being is unceasingly surprised by the light that bursts forth then. Silence is more important than any other human work. For it expresses God. The true revolution comes from silence; it leads us toward God and others so as to place ourselves humbly and generously at their service."

 

[RileyG]

I don't believe it is, I would steer clear. Centering prayer has it's roots in Buddhism and eastern meditation practices. I would look to something like Lectio Divina to accomplish somewhat similar results but totally rooted in the one true faith, rather than emptying your mind which is what centering prayer and eastern religions teach, fill your mind with sacred scripture. That's a way better option, don't you think?

Amen! I agree wholeheartedly. I definitely need guidance with Lectio Divina though. I tend to go too fast and miss the point. Thanks for the suggestion. God bless

 

[JimR-OCDS]

That's fair. There might be some practices that, say, Thomas Merton used—although even him I would be careful with because I've heard near the end of his life he got real into eastern spirituality and kind of strayed from the path.

Thomas Merton never turned to Eastern Religions. He dialogued with them in order to understand
them better, but he never lost faith in Christ Jesus and never left his vocation as a Trappist Monk.

 

[JimR-OCDS]

'Zen and the Birds of Appetite' was an odd book, too odd for me.

I liked what Hans Urs von Balthasar had to say in his book 'Christian Meditation'. His big point was that meditation should be Word centered and not centered on a nullity.

There is a lot of noise in our lives, and a critical lack of silence. We do need to get quiet to effectively pray anything beyond a quick interjection. Cardinal Sarah calls it the dictatorship of noise.

"Silence is difficult but it makes a human being able to allow himself to be led by God. Silence is born of silence. Through God the silent one we can gain access to silence. And a human being is unceasingly surprised by the light that bursts forth then. Silence is more important than any other human work. For it expresses God. The true revolution comes from silence; it leads us toward God and others so as to place ourselves humbly and generously at their service."

I have the Birds of Appetite and read it many years ago.

Thomas Merton presents the spiritualty of Buddhism and the similarities of Christian spirituality in the book. It's a book to help us understand, nothing more.

 

[JimR-OCDS]

Amen! I agree wholeheartedly. I definitely need guidance with Lectio Divina though. I tend to go too fast and miss the point. Thanks for the suggestion. God bless

The Trappists Monks use Lectio Divina and Centering Prayer.

I've been to retreats at St Joseph's Abbey where Fr Keating was once the abbot.
I've spoke to the monks there and they are a contemplative order.
I've always been impressed with their devotion to Christ and the Church. They've never
waivered in their devotion.

 

[Akita Suggagaki]

Perhaps some will find Prayer of Presence more suitable.
Practicing the prayer of presence : Van Kaam, Adrian L., 1920- : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive

Very similar to Centering Prayer.
Sorry I cannot summarize the process at the moment. It is a lot like practicing the presence of God.

https://d2y1pz2y630308.cloudfront.n...rence-The Practice of the Presence of God.pdf

 

[JimR-OCDS]

Perhaps some will find Prayer of Presence more suitable.
Practicing the prayer of presence : Van Kaam, Adrian L., 1920- : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive

Very similar to Centering Prayer.
Sorry I cannot summarize the process at the moment. It is a lot like practicing the presence of God.

https://d2y1pz2y630308.cloudfront.net/15471/documents/2016/10/Brother Lawrence-The Practice of the Presence of God.pdf

Prayer of Presence is most likely Quiet Prayer or Centering Prayer with a different name.

Fr Martin Laird in his book, "Into the Silent Land," said that the term "Centering Prayer," meant
different things to different people, so he just reverted to calling it by it's original name, "Quiet Prayer."

My wife has the book by Bro Lawrence that you linked. It too is the essence of
Centering Prayer.

 

[Akita Suggagaki]

Prayer of Presence is most likely Quiet Prayer or Centering Prayer with a different name.

Fr Martin Laird in his book, "Into the Silent Land," said that the term "Centering Prayer," meant
different things to different people, so he just reverted to calling it by it's original name, "Quiet Prayer."

My wife has the book by Bro Lawrence that you linked. It too is the essence of
Centering Prayer.

From page 42 of Practicing the Prayer of Presence by Adrian Van Kaam

'What does this practice entail for the Christian?

The standard time-tested answer is that at least once a day for 15 to half an hour we recollect ourselves before God. We draw gently away from our daily concerns and activities, close our eyes or look quietly at a crucifix, the tabernacle, a statue or painting. We may gently allow a meaningful word from scripture, liturgy, a spiritual master, or text of our own choosing to surface in our minds. We may also remember a religious symbol that has been inspiring to us. in and through the repetition of that look or that word or that remembrance , we become more present to the Presence within, to that mysterious life that is already ours as baptized Christians. Preferable we try to repeat this prayer of presence once or twice during day at wisely spaced moments."

I prefer this method as it has more flexibility than CP but can also include it.

 

[JimR-OCDS]

From page 42 of Practicing the Prayer of Presence by Adrian Van Kaam

'What does this practice entail for the Christian?

The standard time-tested answer is that at least once a day for 15 to half an hour we recollect ourselves before God. We draw gently away from our daily concerns and activities, close our eyes or look quietly at a crucifix, the tabernacle, a statue or painting. We may gently allow a meaningful word from scripture, liturgy, a spiritual master, or text of our own choosing to surface in our minds. We may also remember a religious symbol that has been inspiring to us. in and through the repetition of that look or that word or that remembrance , we become more present to the Presence within, to that mysterious life that is already ours as baptized Christians. Preferable we try to repeat this prayer of presence once or twice during day at wisely spaced moments."

I prefer this method as it has more flexibility than CP but can also include it.

It's the same as CP using the method of closing your eyes and using a meaningful
word from Scripture or other place. It's called a "Sacred Word." For myself it's just "Lord Jesus."

In either case, we place ourselves in the presence of God who dwells within as you stated.

St Teresa of Avila called it "Mental Prayer." It doesn't matter if our eyes are closed or we're at
communal prayer using verbal words, the focus is being in the presence of the Lord.

As St Teresa said, "when we pray to Our King," He brings his court with him. The Queen Our Blessed Mother, Angels and Saints."

She said that interior prayer is the deepest form of prayer we can have, and it's where God speaks to us best.