Centering Prayer

Centering Prayer: A Contemplative Practice of Presence

Centering prayer was developed by a group of Trappist monks in the 1970s in an effort to make aspects of the Christian mystical tradition more accessible.

The purpose of centering prayer is to consent to the presence and action of God within.

Life is full of distractions. Our minds are whirling about with worries, longings, preoccupations, and compulsive thoughts. With all this noise, how are we to hear the “still, small voice” of the Divine? Centering prayer is a method for releasing distractions, emptying ourselves of our own “junk” to instead be filled with the presence of God. By “letting go,” we welcome God to do work upon our heart – healing us, teaching us, and loving us. Our brain can be re-wired to be present to God, rather than our compulsions.

Centering prayer is a simple practice:

1.         Choose a sacred word to serve as an anchor.

2.         Sit comfortably and settle into internal silence.

3.       Whenever you notice yourself clinging to a thought, invoke your sacred word and release the thought, returning to the presence of God in the moment.

• Consider setting a timer to frame this sacred time.

• When you notice your thoughts, return gently back to the present moment, without judgement.

• The sacred word is used as an anchor, trigger, or springboard for release, not for considering its meaning.

• 15-30 minutes is a common session time, used as a daily practice or when one feels un-centered.

It may be helpful to imagine oneself emersed at the bottom of one’s own stream of consciousness. Thoughts float along the surface, and one is prone to swimming up, grabbing the shiniest, most irresistible thoughts, pulling them down and fixating on them. Instead, one can release these thoughts, allowing them to float up and continue down the stream. Only then is one open to new thoughts that God may send. Instead of clinging, one can notice, appreciate, and release each thought.

Distractions are the “raw material” of the practice, so do not think you are failing by being distracted – 100 distractions are 100 things to release!

Doing this builds the strength of one’s muscle of release and will make it easier to be present throughout our day.

It may take a few attempts to discover the power of centering prayer, but “God rewards those who seek him.” Have faith that God is working, renewing heart and mind!