Dear Meditators
Last week we considered thoughts from Father Thomas Keating on centering prayer as a way of quieting the ordinary mind and taking you deeper into a state of ‘being.’ Cynthia Bourgeault has similar thoughts in her book, Centering Prayer and Inner Awakening.
- Cynthia writes, from the start one learns to recognize and prefer the simple act of release to whatever could be had by holding on. The act of recognizing and trusting this connection is usually the turning point in the struggle to let go of even the experience of insights and illuminations. After repeated practice, simply sitting there in the darkness, the Mystery begins to reveal itself: the dark is neither dark or empty, rather it is the core of our own true perceptivity. Once this truth begins to be glimpsed, the practice ceases to be a burden and instead begins to sparkle with the joy of discovery and imminence of encounter. In the center of one’s nothingness one meets the infinitely real…this unseen person who makes his presence known to us.
- We can call the unseen person, Christ, God, or our own deepest self, and are reminded in scripture: Matthew 6:5, Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
As you begin to relax now in body and mind, slow your breathing, and enter your meditation, centering your prayer, allow yourself to be open, and to practise surrender, which is the way of knowing in being known.
Love and every blessing
Kathryn
Centering Prayer and Inner Awakening – p 50 – 59.
We will be with you in prayer this afternoon at 1pm 0r whenever you can meditate
We are using this app to assist. https://www.contemplativeoutreach.org/centering-prayer-mobile-app
Remember to watch an introduction to Centering Prayer Meditation with Kathryn. You can see it here
Let us know how you are finding this time – we always like to hear from you😊 Peace and health at this time
Irene & Damien