Join us online for Centering Prayer Meditation m May 5pm via zoom with Kathryn Pile. ALL WELCOME!
Dear Meditators
This week is the second of a series of three meditations taken from Cynthia Bourgeault’s book, The Heart of Centering Prayer, where we’ll contemplate aspects of heart meditation that she clearly articulates from the ancient teachings of ‘Put your mind in your heart’ as opposed to hearing with contemporary ears and filters, heart equating with emotions..
This week, with its words on Finding The Way to the Heart…
These words are intentional. It’s a time to experience where and if any word or phrase stands out for you. Take what you need of them into your silence as your centering prayer.
Cynthia asks:
How does one come upon that “back door” or “wormhole” within the Christian path that transports one out of the “progressive” journey in linear time into the instantaneous, seamless fullness from which prayer is always emerging? She quotes Merton who puts words to the bare-bones truth of this timeless moment; the realization that solves the riddle of the way to the heart.
Prayer as an act of total surrender is not merely a fantastical intellectual and mystical gamble; it is something much more serious: it is an act of love for this unseen Person Who, in the very gift of love by which we surrender ourselves to his reality, also makes his presence known to us. For ultimately as this “unseen Person” becomes present, the knee of the heart will instinctively bow – and the rest will somehow work itself out.
As you begin to relax now in body and mind, slow your breathing, and enter your meditation, centering your prayer, your will and intent on your act of love for this unseen Person, remembering that your heart is a perfect way-finder to the divine heart. That the very gift of love by which we surrender ourselves also makes his Presence known us.
Love and every blessing, Kathryn
Cynthia Bourgeault, The Heart of Centering Prayer, p 75-76.
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