Centering prayer is a modern method for engaging in an ancient path — learning to quiet oneself and listen to God. Try it out for yourself!
A Definition
Thomas Keating and M. Basil Pennington were the first notable authors to propose and describe the practice of centering prayer; however, they noted points of contact between this prayer method, Thomas Merton, and the historic practice of contemplative prayer. Specifically, centering prayer is intended for a practitioner to section off two twenty-minute periods of time a day to pray in this way. In that time, he/she sits quietly, not attempting to speak or ask God anything; rather, a simple word such as God or love is remembered by the participant whenever his/her mind begins to wander. This method was offered by Keating and Pennington in the 1970s and 1980s as both a gateway toward contemplative prayer and as an alternative to the then-popular practice of transcendental meditation.
How to Practice
- Choose a word to symbolize your intention to consent to God’s presence and action within. In other words, you want a single word or short phrase to remind yourself of God whenever you realize that your mind has wandered off during prayer. Try not to change the word too often, especially during the prayer time.
- Next, sitting comfortably and with eyes closed, breathe slowly in and out of your nose for a minute or two to settle yourself down. You could also prayer a short introductory prayer, such as “For God alone, my soul in silence waits. Surely, my hope is in him” (Ps. 62:5). Then, quietly introduce the word you have chosen to remind you of God.
- Continue sitting silently for 20 minutes, listening to the silence. When thoughts begin to arise, return ever so gently to your word.
- At the end of the prayer period, remain in silence with eyes closed for a few moments. Reciting the Lord’s Prayer slowly is a good way to return your thoughts to the world around you. You might also want to get up and walk around for a few moments rather than immediately beginning a new task in order to reorient yourself.
As you are practicing this prayer, keep these practical points in mind:
- The recommended time for this prayer is 20 minutes. Keating and Pennington suggest two periods each day, one first thing in the morning and the other in the afternoon or early evening. However, don’t let time be what stops you. If you can only do 5 minutes, then do 5 minutes. On the other hand, you might find the practice so valuable (or your thoughts so hard to tame) that you want to spend longer. Go for it!
- The end of the prayer period can be signaled by an alarm.
- Unlike many forms of meditation, the goal of centering prayer is not particularly about being as still as possible. If you need to shift your position or scratch an itch, do so. Just try not to make a habit of fidgeting. Also, as you pray you might become more aware of your body sensations. While that awareness can be interesting, it is not the goal of the practice. Simply note your observation, and then proceed back to your word.
- The effects of centering prayer occur most noticeably outside of the prayer time, but they are subtle results — increasing calmness, patience, an inner stillness. Don’t try to make your prayer time perfect. Just try to be consistent. God sees your effort and loves you for it!
Resources
Cassian, John, Conferences, trans. Colm Luibheid (New York NY: Paulist Press, 1985)
Keating, Thomas, Open Mind, Open Heart: The Contemplative Dimension of the Gospel (New York NY: Continuum, 2002)
Muyskens, J. David, Sacred Breath: Forty Days of Centering Prayer (Nashville TN: Upper Room Books, 2010)
Pennington, M. Basil, Call to the Center: The Gospel’s Invitation to Deeper Prayer (Hyde Park NY: New City Press, 1995)
Pennington, M. Basil, Centering Prayer: Renewing an Ancient Christian Prayer Form (Garden City NY: Doubleday, 1980)
Reiniger, Gustave, ed., Centering Prayer in Daily Life and Ministry (New York NY: Continuum, 1998)