God is the wind, and we cannot see him, but on a windy day — With all the blowing dust in west Texas — It is stimulating to think that we see God by how he moves the dust of the earth… And, to think, we are made from the dust of the earth…to see Read More …
I do not have “visions” in centering prayer or meditation, at least not in the way is depicted in popular media. Instead, there are times as I pray that a very interesting image occurs to my imagination — something that just doesn’t seem to fit with my normal flow of memory, thoughts, and daydreams. I Read More …
I slightly touched on this issue in an earlier post, but I want to spend a few more moments on the concept of psychological breakthrough — specifically how psychological breakthrough is NOT the purpose of centering prayer. It’s easy to see how many negative distractions can plague your mind as you try to be still Read More …
Does your imagination wander during centering prayer? Mine does too. Some days, I’m praying along then I happen to think about that peanut butter sandwich that I had for lunch, which reminds me of peanuts, which reminds me of George Washington Carver, which reminds me of carving, which reminds me of wooden elephants, which reminds Read More …
What is the “goal” of centering prayer? That’s often a question that trips people up from time to time. It has tripped me up too. Let me explain what I mean… Whether it’s from personal experience with different forms of meditation, portrayals of meditation and meditators in popular culture, or somewhere we can’t place, many Read More …
Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster is the first book written by and for Evangelicals on the traditional Christian spiritual life. For centuries, the Christian spiritual life — known then by its historical name of Christian mysticism — was seen as suspect by Protestants in general and Evangelicals in particular. Foster cuts through that history Read More …
One of the aspects of centering prayer that I love the most is its approach to sitting (I know, I know — exciting, right?). Many forms of silent meditation emphasize complete stillness. Centering prayer is a little more realistic — a little more for “the rest of us.” You see, I’m an incorrigible fidgeter, so Read More …
