Centering Prayer...

and related topics

Centering Prayer is where we start our walk with the Lord.

Centering Prayer and Contemplation Workshops --------and uses in other workshops:

CENTERING PRAYER is the process of using a simple sacred phrase (such as "Jesus - Lord"), coordinated with slow and deep breathing. One clears the mind of other thoughts and concentrates on whatever simple phrase (some call it a "mantra") they are using repetitively, slowly, intently.

The pilgrim is not invoking the Lord with this, but rather centering oneself down to the Presence of the Lord. This is a simple way to one type of the deep peace which comes from being with the Lord.

Some use the longer, ancient phrase, "Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior, have mercy on me, a sinner," the traditional "Jesus Prayer."In Greek, the initials of this phrase spell out the Greek word for "fish", hence the fish is an early symbol for Christianity.

As a hospital chaplain, Fr. Price teaches centering prayer many times a day to patients. Most people about to undergo some medical procedure are anxious about their prospects: the dangers of anesthesia; the pain which will follow these wounds; the nausea which may well follow the painkillers; and the recovery period following surgery which can range from the rest of the day to several months and perhaps no recovery at all. Anxiety, pain, and nausea are all handled well with centering prayer and it is the necessary prelude to any meditation or journaling and it is extremely helpful prior to attending a worship service.

There are many more uses and considerations regarding centering prayer, but it essentially the process of centering down to the Presence of the Lord with you. Centering prayer is taught in all the major faith groups, to a greater or lesser degree: Jewish, Christian, Muslim, Hindu, and Buddhist.

Sadly, it is not widely taught in our faith and many Christians who've not heard of it think it is "new age" or even "demonic!" These are terms easily thrown about to discredit time-honored techniques of which the hurler of epithets is merely ignorant.

It is as old as the 2nd century after Christ, as the monks in the Ethiopian and Egyptian deserts developed it in Christian context and wrote about ways to do it. It was largely forgotten in the rather somnolent period of the western Church prior to the Great Enlightenment, which then focussed on biblical discovery and evangelical fervor.

CONTEMPLATION is another matter yet. Whereas in centering prayer, one uses a repetitive prayer ("Jesus - Lord" or "Maranatha"), in contemplation, often reached through centering prayer, one closes one's mind to thought completely, and just sits, waiting on the Holy Spirit of God to do what ever the Spirit chooses. The Psalmist says, "Be still, and know that I am God."

A workshop on centering prayer and contemplation can be as little as an hour, or as long as 3 hours. In a 3-hour workshop, Fr. Price gets to teach it as the introduction to other methods of spiritual development, including journaling, meditation, and worship. In longer workshops on journaling and dream analysis or Healing of Memories meditations, centering prayer and contemplation is taught right away as the proper prelude to any of these spiritual exercises.

Updated September 15, 2002