Centering Prayer

Fr. Carl Arico Recordings – Contemplative Outreach and Centering Prayer

Centering Prayer is a receptive method of Christian silent prayer that prepares us to receive the gift of contemplative prayer, prayer in which we experience God’s presence within us, closer than breathing, closer than thinking, closer than consciousness itself.

The Guidlines

  1. Choose a sacred word as the symbol of your intention to consent to God’s presence and action within.
  2. 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.
  3. When engaged with your thoughts, return ever-so-gently to the sacred word.
  4. At the end of the prayer period, remain in silence with eyes closed for a couple of minutes.
How to Do Centering Prayer
Thomas Keating’s Homily at Basil Pennington’s Funeral
The Method of Centering Prayer with Thomas Keating 30:46
Open Mind, Open Heart
Basil Pennington on Merton & Centering prayer 12:16
What is contemplative prayer Richard Rohr 9:20