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CENTERING PRAYER
Another “method” to train the ear
to listen to God is called centering prayer. Centering prayer is
a simple method that sets up the ideal conditions to rest in the
quite awareness of God’s presence. This way of prayer is alluded
to in many passages in the Old and New Testaments and probably dates
from then. The Greek Fathers referred to is as monolgion, “one-word”
prayer. The desert Father, Abba Isaac taught a similar form of prayer
to John Cassian (St. John of the Cross) who later wrote of it in
France, transmitting it to Benedict of Nursia. Unfortunately, by
the time of the 16th century, the prayer from largely went out of
use in favor of more of a “talking to God” type of prayer.
1. Centering starts with sitting comfortably
with eyes closed
2. Let yourself settle down. Let go of all the
thoughts, tensions, and sensations you may feel and begin to rest
in love of God who dwells within.
3. Effortlessly take up a word, the symbol of
your intention to surrender to God’s presence, and let the
word be gently present.
4. When you become aware of thoughts or as internal
sensations arise, just take this as your signal to gently return
to the word, the symbol of your intention to let go and rest in
God’s presence.
5. If thoughts subside and you find yourself
restfully aware, simply let go even of the word. Just be in that
stillness. When thoughts begin to stir again, gently return to
the world
6. At the end of the prayer time, take a couple
for minutes to come out of the silence – even if you don’t’
feel you need it. Many people find this a perfect time to internally
express to God thanks and to pray for other in need of God’s
grace
Some practical points
1. The minimum time for this prayer is twenty
minutes.
2. Two periods are recommended each day, one
in the morning, and one in the afternoon or early evening
3. The end of prayer can be indicated by a timer,
provided it does not have an audible tick or loud sound when it
goes off
4. The principle effects of prayer are experience
in daily life, not in the period of prayer itself
5. Physical symptoms:
V We may notice slight pains,
itches in various parts of the body, or generalized restlessness.
These are usually due to the untying of emotional knots in the
body.
V We may notice heaviness or lightness
in the extremities. This is usually due to deep level spiritual
attentiveness.
6. Centering Prayer is a time of just being quiet
and rest in the presence of God. It is not necessarily listening
to or for God. The principle idea is to have the thoughts and
concerns of the day removed and have your mind set on Christ.
7. The image is that of a “spiritual”
message. Though the message might be relaxing, the true purpose
is to be more relaxed in the “being” aspects of the
relationship with God so as to be more in tune with Him in the
normal goings on of the day.
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