Contemplative Outreach of St. Louis presents, an Introduction to Centering Prayer.
Are you looking for a way to explore or deepen your relationship with God?
Centering Prayer is based on a Christian contemplative practice first described in The Cloud of Unknowing, written in the latter half of the 14th century.
What Is Centering Prayer?
“Centering Prayer is not so much an exercise of attention as intention. It may take a while to grasp this distinction. You do not attend to any particular thought or content. Rather, you intend to go to your inmost being, where you believe God dwells. You are opening to Him by pure faith, not by means of concepts or feelings.” —Thomas Keating, Open Mind Open Heart, p. 39
This prayer does not replace your other prayer practices. You will be given encouragement to learn how to become more comfortable with building a deeper relationship with the God of your understanding in the stillness of your “inner room.”
If you want to pray, enter your inner room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret, and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
—Matthew 6:6
What is the inner room? This “inner room” is not a physical place. It is an interior place in our hearts, the deepest part of who we are. It is a place of quiet, where we can meet our Lord personally.
Centering prayer is a very personal prayer practice but is often practiced in groups. It opens one to God’s infinite love and power to heal, and opens the door to others related prayer practices around forgiveness and dealing with painful situations and emotions. Introduction to Centering Prayer Workshop is a sampling of the practice and its benefits which you will discover as you cultivate your own personal experience with the Divine Indwelling on an ongoing basis.
Please come as a beginner or to refresh your practice. You are invited to attend!
If you would like to preorder, Open Mind, Open Heart by Father Thomas Keating ocso for $20 you can pay at the workshop and simply add the book request in the registration box that asks about a guest. This book is set up in questions and answers from Father Thomas about the contemplative spiritual journey and the practice.
Introduction to Centering Prayer is a sampling of the practice and its benefits. The workshop is a prerequisite to Course I, Basic Centering Prayer, a six-week course that delves more into the practice and effects of Centering Prayer. Basic Centering Prayer is the next step to a committed practice. If participants want to choose a time for this follow up series you can discuss a time to continue this 6 week course.
In our introductory workshop to Centering Prayer, you will discover a centuries-old prayer method. Centering Prayer consists of simply sitting in silence with God – beyond thoughts, words, and emotions – and opening our mind, heart and whole being to the Ultimate Mystery. In this workshop, you will learn the basics of Centering Prayer, experience it in a guided setting, and be able to ask questions and share experiences with the presenters and your fellow participants. Please join us!
Please bring a lunch. We will have coffee, tea and water and light refreshments.
For more information or to schedule a workshop for your community or church contact:
Charlie Lawrence (618) 781-4538 or email: charlesn.lawrence2@gmail.com
Saturday October 26th, 2024,
Gather at 8:45 am Workshop 9:00 am – 2:30 pm
Community of Christ Church, 830 N Kirkwood, MO, 63122 Show location on Google Maps
Cost:
This event is free however if you wish to make a donation to help cover our expenses of $20, we appreciate your support. This is purely a suggestion – this fee is not meant as a barrier to attendance. All are welcome.
The suggested $20.00 fee may be made here and/or if you are able, please join us at the Supporter level with a donation of your choice, which covers our rent website maintenance, scholarship and other expenses. If you pay by PayPal please add $2 to cover the PayPal fee.
Cash and checks accepted at the event or make a check out to COSTL and mail to: COSTL c/o Susie Brent 489 Staines Court – St. Louis, MO 63141
Please register so we may prepare for you.
A follow up email will be sent with directions and other necessary information.
Complete and submit the online form below: