The Method of Centering Prayer - Part 1, with Thomas Keating

Fr. Thomas Keating offers a basic introduction to the method of Centering Prayer. He begins by noting that the discipline of sitting daily in Centering Prayer is in service to nurturing a relationship with God. Fr. Keating discusses the four guidelines of Centering Prayer, emphasizing the receptive and non-violent nature of this method of prayer. The purpose of Centering Prayer is to cultivate awareness of the spiritual level of being.
This is the first video in a series of 31 hour-long talks by Thomas Keating that make up his foundational video teachings, “The Spiritual Journey with Fr. Thomas Keating.” All of these talks are now available on KZbin, and are listed below with links. Fr. Thomas was an internationally renowned theologian, speaker and author of dozens of books including “Open Mind, Open Heart.”
To access condensed highlights of this video series plus more recent series by Fr. Thomas as part of a free online course, go to www.contemplat... for the complete course, or to • The Spiritual Journey ... for just the videos.
Fr. Thomas co-founded Contemplative Outreach, which offers this series and supports Centering Prayer. Along with Fr. William Meninger and Fr. Basil Pennington, Fr. Thomas began the Centering Prayer movement in the 1970’s to renew the Christian tradition of contemplation. An overview of Contemplative Outreach is at • Contemplative Outreach... .
Go to www.contemplati... for more information on Centering Prayer, including retreats and local chapters that offer support to practitioners at all levels in the U.S. and around the world. An online store offers books, streaming and downloadable videos and mp3 audios, DVDs, and CDs. An online course, “The Spiritual Journey - Formation in the Christian Contemplative Life,” draws upon the series of talks offered here and also includes newer teachings of Fr. Thomas, within a year-long curriculum.
“The Spiritual Journey with Fr. Thomas Keating” consists of a Prologue and five parts. Each part has up to six talks in it. Each talk has a separate video for the first half (a) and the second half (b).
Prologue
• Prologue to The Spirit...
(A basic introduction to Centering Prayer)
• The Method of Centering Prayer (2 videos)
• The Psychological Experience of Centering Prayer (3 videos)
Part One: Developing Centering Prayer
• Part 1 of The Spiritua...
(Centering Prayer grows out of a prayerful relationship with God that ideally includes prayerful reading of Scripture - the practice of Lectio Divina)
0a & 0b. Introduction
1a & 1b. Prayer as Relating to God
2a & 2b. Four Levels of Scriptural Experience
3a & 3b. Toward Resting in God
4a & 4b. Centering Prayer as Method
5a & 5b. Progress in Centering Prayer
Part Two: Model of the Human Condition
• Part 2 of The Spiritua...
(The heart of the teaching on the practice of Centering Prayer)
6a & 6b. The Human Condition: The Evolutionary Model
7a & 7b. Formation of the Homemade Self: The Existential Model
8a & 8b. The Pre-Rational Energy Centers
9a & 9b. Frustrations Caused by the Emotional Programs
10a & 10b. Dismantling the Emotional Programs
11a & 11b. The False Self in Action
Part Three: Paradigms of the Spiritual Journey
• Part 3 of The Spiritua...
(Practical examples of Centering Prayer in daily life)
12a & 12b. The Four Consents
13a & 13b. The Human Condition: The Philosophical Model
14a & 14b. Anthony as a Paradigm of the Spiritual Journey
15a & 15b. Liberation from the False Self System
16a & 16b. Liberation from Cultural Conditioning
17a & 17b. Spirituality in Everyday Life
Part Four: Contemplation: The Divine Therapy
• Part 4 of The Spiritua...
(The Christian contemplative roots for Centering Prayer)
18a & 18b. Night of Sense: The Biblical Desert
19a & 19b. Night of Spirit: Toward Transformation
20a & 20b. The Beatitudes: Healing the Emotional Programs
21a & 21b. The Spiritual Senses
22a & 22b. What Contemplation is Not
23a & 23b. From Contemplation to Action
Part Five: Divine Love: The Heart of the Christian Spiritual Journey
• Part 5 of The Spiritua...
(The fruits of the Centering Prayer practice)
24a & 24b. The Most Excellent Path
25a & 25b. The Divine Banquet an Dance
26a & 26b. Prayer in Secret: Matthew 6:6
27a & 27b. What is the Divine Therapy?
28a & 28b. Contemplative Outreach: A Response to the Divine Invitation

[@theresaggiffin9556]

Legalism, black and white thinking, and tunnel vision have ruled my life. Father Keating’s teachings have set me free to rest in the Arms of Beloved God. God doesn’t need me to do anything for Him. God is God! The thought of God needing anything from me is absurdity! Thank you, Jesus, for bringing me to Father Keating and his teaching.❤❤❤

[@brianl4129]

By waiting and calm you shall be saved. In quietness and trust lies your strength. CALM🎵 is for me.

[@ElectricHedgehogs]

This is beautiful and so helpful. I'm so happy to have recently found Father Keating (and also Father Rohr). I've been a secular buddhist for 20 years (and would still describe myself as such, as it is a philosophy for living). But something - something big - has been missing from my mindfulness meditation for years now. It's been a slowly growing dissatisfaction and disconnection from mindfulness meditation. And, I've come to understand that it's God that I've been missing, God and Love. I've been endeavouring to 'rest in awareness', but since becoming Christian recently, and then finding Contemplative Prayer, I am now seeking to rest in, rest with, God and Love. I often fail and fall short, but I feel enormous support from the Holy Spirit, and I know, I just deeply know, that I'm on the right track now 🙏 ❤

[@Arktuss]

Thank you for sharing your path and experience. Can you say more about your change of heart/mind/view...? Was this emptiness not enough, how did this dissatisfaction come about? Was it only your personal experience, deep inside, or did something from the outside trigger the wish (for the lack of a better word) for something outside?

[@temple-of-silence]

That is beautiful. Thank you for sharing ❤

[@BonzoKilbourn]

I grew up In catholic school and going to mass. Later I found my way to eastern thought and always felt it was what was really for me, but the Christian foundation remained. To find a catholic priest state things the way father Keating does is simply amazing and miraculous. Thank you.

[@kyrareneeLOA]

Ditto. Same for me.

[@ronnoronha3202]

same for me, as I am now in the process of integrating the two.

[@smrshll]

Aaron Siering It is very unhelpful, I believe, to beat people up for their lack of knowledge. Just share yours in the hope it is accepted.

[@Entererofthethreshold]

@@JudeMalachi How could centering prayer be so easily learned when many in the church consider the practice heretical? I come from a multi generational Catholic family, went to Catholic school, and attended mass for years, and centering prayer was simply not taught. And the vast majority or current or ex Catholics had a similar experience. A simple Google search will confirm everything I've said (except of course my own personal history).

[@p.alencikas3166]

Pride goeth before the fall. Watch it.@@JudeMalachi

[@mariaearthangel7251]

I am Greek, I would like to expand on the word KIRIE... ELEISON can be added if you like. Lord, have mercy As part of the Greek formula Kyrie eleison (“Lord, have mercy”), the word is used as a preliminary petition before a formal prayer and as a congregational response in the liturgies of many Christian churches.

[@renatakicskanetomucza9328]

Thank you! I'm protestantant but I'm so fed up with preaching and praying with words. Sometimes during worship I think: "O please, just shut up" hahaha. I'm so happy that I was introduced to this type of prayers as well!

[@jhgosnell]

Amen

[@pennypeterson540]

Amen, Amen! 😃

[@juliesheard2122]

Amen

[@steveharvester8749]

I go to church to learn patience with people while they learn patience with me. Any inspiration I get is a wonderful surprise.

[@kobalt77]

This prayer is changing my life, even just after a few days. thank you so much Fr Thomas.

[@indrijatigautama3713]

Powerful truth. I am set free from the bondage of doing too much for God and not having enough time to develop a vibrant relationship with God. Sitting down to be with the Lord day by day is key. Great emphasis on Prayer that it is actually about our relationship with our Heavenly Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit

[@rharvey1110]

Beautiful. Thanks for sharing . . .

[@pamelamaccabee637]

Definitely a special practice. Father Keating cherishes both the human mind and heart and the Spirit. He understands how this practice opens the subconscious and unconscious for healing purposes and return to the True Self. My word is, "Reality."

[@josephzammit8483]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/lZq1qaCVfLpgo8U

[@Mosdefinitelyable]

I combine this teaching with light yoga postures, and it is a deep connection and release.

[@contemplativepathways7766]

I am blessed to have been brought by the Spirit to Fr. Keating's spiritual instruction and contemplative direction. He brought my Catholic life experience full circle in the experience of God. Thank you , dear teacher, wherever you may be.

[@mariaearthangel7251]

We Can Be United with God... We have been invited into unity with Jesus, the son, God the father, God the spirit, and one another. Our union in Christ, our union with one another, is grounded in our union in Christ, in Jesus, in God.

[@rharvey1110]

Life Changing -- and so so Beautiful :)

[@JN25376]

So helpful. Thank you. May you be greatly blessed for making this series freely available to all.

[@mysticoversoul]

Its availability here has not always been the case. There was a time when his organization wanted only to monetize Keating's spiritual talks, particularly his Spiritual Journey series. During his final years, however, Keating reversed this version of corporate greed, and he thankfully directed that the videos be made available publicly online here.

[@pedrozaragoza2253]

Gloria in Excelsis Deo!

[@lucyosullivanrsc7782]

Thank you Fr. for your invaluable guidance on the method of Centering Prayer. You are a wonderful gift of God to people who are interested in prayer which sustains us and helps us along life’s journey.

[@BobBKooenabio]

Being a Carmelite Secular, I love Centering Prayer, but if one doesn't take to it, there is Trappist jam which is delicious 😅 Veronica OCDS from R. I.

[@DianeJowell]

Thank you

[@hankmulholland1301]

Just returned from your funeral remember me when you enter into your father's house god bless you so much

[@teresakleber6762]

Mo

[@trueimagename]

Excellent! Just what I was looking for.

[@tonifrancis2189]

Thank you, Father Keating! I’m certain Mary Mrokowski greeted you with open arms as you entered into eternal life.

[@chaplainmattsanders4884]

For sure!!!

[@lisetostrupsetek6730]

Very good!

[@BobBKooenabio]

The Rosery is a mantra , when you reach that quiet place, Mary has done her job, hence Contemplative prayer Veronica OCDS Rhode Island

[@pjgarret7653]

That became so clear to me when I heard it in another language (Croatian). It was like mesmerizing bees humming. So tranquil and Beautiful.

[@leannefaulkner-charve6910]

I love his voice, i wonder if his mum or dad were irish, as there's a hint of an irish lilt in there 🤔 perhaps

[@MtHomasMathai]

Thank you fr. Very useful guideline

[@ronaldsandford110]

What man cannot do, "GOD CAN ,&WILL"

[@hamidfrancis]

Hey Bonzo I hear you and relate. Recently i've found Fr. John Main's teachings as well just wonderful.

[@MartinEngelbrecht-ey3rl]

Whenever working or praying I have a blank page to note anything for my to do list.

[@antidepressant11]

Self-acceptance self-acceptance self acceptance accepting others, accepting others, accepting others loving You. loving you.,loving you

[@mikaylakooper]

antidepressant11 That's the opposite of what Jesus said. He kept saying don't accept yourself as you are, instead He said "deny yourself" and "repent of sin"

[@HealingHouse88]

Beautiful :) I hope you keep growing in all forms of love :) Peace and blessings.

[@HealingHouse88]

@@mikaylakooper Very good point! It just made my mind spin when reading this and this is what I came up with. I'd like to know what you think. I'm not sure that everyone is ready for "denying of self" and "repenting of sin", at least right away. Maybe self acceptance could be important for some people first before repentance and self sacrificial love can emerge. If not, I'm thinking that this denial of self may turn an already low self esteemed person into a doormat with mental illness or self hatred/ indignation, instead of a life giving gift of love for all. Maybe this is just based on personal experience. I personally needed to first accept God's love and acceptance before I was given the grace to repent of many sins. And it took lots of time!! lol I didn't just sit back and accept my wrong behavior, however (which I think is what you are opposed to as well). At the same time, I am sure that I could not have decided to change without first feeling that amazing love that God has for me and for us all. I am hoping that the self acceptance and love that antidepressant11 prays about leads to acceptance of self and also a desire to grow past sin because of that genuine love.

[@antidepressant11]

Sometimes I think we Christians have this obsessional fear about "letting the devil in " and not respecting God enough. So we either have to be saying the Rosary or some formal prayer or in this case having a mantra to show we are honoring God. Maybe God doesn't care so much? He's more concerned about our intention than our prayer style. One idea. Just honour Him at the start of a silent meditation. " I offer up this silent meditation to you. help me clear all those negative doubts, help me feel your presence through silence, help me be transformed, through Christ our Lord , Amen."

[@HealingHouse88]

Yessss!!! Intention is so key in prayer. I agree completely. Without it, our prayer goes nowhere- at least in my opinion. Thanks for sharing :)

[@chaplainmattsanders4884]

Nicely put. Yes.

[@projector98]

I’m wondering the specific orchestral information for the beginning of the video. It’s a lovely version and I would like to find the KZbin address for the specific recording, if you have it. Thank you. Matt K.

[@prayerofconsent]

Sorry, we don't have that address. As you may know, the music is "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring" by J. S. Bach.

[@antidepressant11]

How about a phrase like "Teach me to accept myself and others" ?

[@groundofbeing9733]

antidepressant11 That’s an external intention. You want to pick a word that’s a symbol of you giving yourself to god and gods presence within you.

[@matthewalkman386]

what is the sacred word and what image must we hold?

[@mariahurtado1871]

You can mention just the name of jesus

[@mariahurtado1871]

Do not hold any image, but if you feel you needed well imagen jesus of the divine mercy

[@mariahurtado1871]

Jesus

[@pjgarret7653]

Pick your own word or just do a breath. Do not attach so much weight to it. It is just a touchstone, returning you to your presence with the Divine. Enjoy! (At least this has been my experience)

[@aar3325]

Interesting concept. But I do have an obvious question? If the point of this is to pray to God by first being in His presence, why not simply read His Word? Hasn’t God revealed Himself through scripture?

[@miguelangelleonabarca9839]

i agree with every thing, but for some reason, my sacred word is not a word, it is a sentence "maria magdalena ora pro nobis", that after a while may become just Maria, but not always. So i have accepted that for me it is a little bit like reciting a christian mantra, like the Jesus Praying

[@HealingHouse88]

Many people use sacred words or sacred phrases. I like sacred phrases myself too! Veni Sanctus Spiritus is one of my favorites when in adoration.

[@groundofbeing9733]

Miguel Angel Leon Abarca “Be still, and know that I Am God.” That means still the mind. Introduce the intention, and let go and let god. Rest as what is watching the mind.

[@chaplainmattsanders4884]

Wonderful!! I sometimes do something similar. “Pray as you can, not as you can’t.”

[@hollisward8943]

What if there a number of words that feel sacred to me, how can I pick one?

[@davidjohnzenocollins]

Can you up the volume on this? Please?!

[@chaplainmattsanders4884]

I listened with headphones. The sound was plenty loud for me. That might work for you?

[@davidjohnzenocollins]

@@chaplainmattsanders4884 Good idea. Thanks.

[@emilyhigh4653]

Is Father Thomas read now

[@yudisthiralistya745]

A Catholic priest explaining steps of a Buddhist samatha meditation. He only replaces mantra/object with a Catholic sacred word.

[@daisymoses6812]

This is comical ! I appreciate your comment. Although it's evident to me that you are correct, please notice the unfortunately very sincere commenter below (phoebewillow7273) who still identifies *any* direct mystical experience of god as a false experience. The commentator then cites the bible nine different times in circular repetitions of their belief that it's necessary to be very afraid of any mystical experience unmediated by verbal thought, because it might reduce peoples faith in Biblical doctrines and Biblical authorities. Wow. I'm just glad that Thomas Keating isnt facing a Catholic Inquisition because it's clear to me horrible horrible horrible things would happen to him for trying to teach silent meditation. Phoebewillow is not an isolated case. She is joined by other commentators who spend a great deal of mental energy reassuring themselves and each other that it's not alright to use Centering Prayer to meditate (JimCvit) or that it actually *IS* alright to use Centering Prayer to meditate (rachelquinto1588), only because it's not the same as Bhuddist thought. ....Just paraphrasing rachelquinto1588.... Then we have the many people who seem to need detailed instructions on how to choose a word that they feel is sacred, because they don't want to make their own choice. ALL OF These people are showing me how smart I am to stay far far far away from religions in my connection to god. 🤣The only thing I find sad, though, is how many people want to communicate about hairsplitting differences between Centering Prayer and Vipassana, Zazen, or Transcendental Meditation/TM. I feel sad that we would much rather write long commentaries than directly experience a peaceful life. (oh, I guess that's me).

[@BrianCormackCarr]

No, because the sacred word isn’t used as a mantra.

[@pjgarret7653]

There is a similarity for sure. For we are all spiritual beings, but not exactly the same. Yet we hear the same calling. We answer and respond in our own way. Bless you and Peace😊

[@texasourtexastonyarmstrong7578]

Agreed!!!,

[@astridmoore3350]

But what of you do this and get visions and it's "not allowed" those distractions...

[@EyeonZion]

势至再来 阿弥陀佛 善哉 善哉

[@JimCvit]

CP is more akin to eastern or Buddhist meditation. St. Teresa of Avila did not pray this way and was against it. Her teachings on prayer are the opposite of what this is teaching. She says that contemplation is a gift from God, and no technique can make it happen. She said that entering into the prayer of quiet or that of union whenever she wanted it "was out of the question." She also said in her book, Interior Mansion, "For it to be prayer at all, the mind must take a part in it." St. Teresa wrote that the separation of the mystery of Christ from Christian meditation is always a form of "betrayal." St. Teresa advised her nuns to meditate or think about the Passion of Christ to prepare for contemplation. Only God can raise a person to contemplation.

[@rachelquinto1588]

Fr. Keating clearly say that CP prepares one for the gift of contemplation. Whether it is a felt experience or not during CP, what counts is the intention to consent to God’s presence and action within. The theological basis of CP are the Divine in-dwelling of the Trinity, the Incarnation and Grace. None of these exist in Buddhist thought. St. Teresa of Avila teaches prayer in the manner of Lectio Divina. But we know, from her writings that she is caught in contemplation majority of the time. LD and CP are 2 distinct prayer forms. LD is reading, reflecting,, responding and resting in the word of God that helps one grow in relationship with God. As the relationship deepens, the intention to “rest “( contemplatio )with God in CP is renewed. CP frees one from the obstacles to hear the word of God on a much deeper level in Lectio Divina. The first language of God is silence.

[@MtHomasMathai]

💐

[@jettoh]

Centering Prayer helps let God in...doesnt it?

[@groundofbeing9733]

Jet Toh God is already within (Luke 17:21). The centering helps you to find Him inside you, to experience that.

[@renda1982]

You are already that which is referred to as: God, The Dao, The Creator, The field, Source, Brahman etc etc Not only are you God but you are also what God created. It is just that, you, being the you that is operating from the superficial materiel level of consciousness, particularly the automated conditioned mind, that is fearing and carrying doubts. There is also another dimension of consciousness that is unlimited and boundless-it is endlessly creative. This is where great Artists: Painters, Poets, Musicians, Inventors etc etc operate from. The only plan or logical thinking requires is to make the inner and outer environment fertile grounds for that Genius to work its magic. I’m an Artist (Painting, drawing, sculpturing), and I can tell you when my mind is still, not agitated, or distracted by thoughts, calm and relaxed, I’m always pleasantly surprised how much I created completely unplanned but meant to be. Often the most powerful spiritual speakers aren’t speaking from a script. They are speaking from another dimension. Let’s call it: The Heart. The Heart was my compass that led me to the me that no language can describe with words. Some call it God. You need to just simply sit and be quiet as often as you can. It may be a bumpy ride to begin with but if you are earnest enough then you will wake up to just how powerful you really are. No words can describe it. It’s perfumes are: Peace, Joy, Inner Stillness, Love etc etc You are already that!(God) God is you, in you and all around you. It’s just that there is too much mind traffic in the way to see this beauty. ❤️🕊

[@jhgosnell]

Yes!

[@betheladiele4684]

@@renda1982 you are not God. You had a beginning and you will have an end, but God has no beginning and will have no end.

[@veronica_._._._]

@@renda1982 The 1st thing contemplation teaches us is that we are not God, and that neither are you, falling into the gnostic trap inflation of ego trap, as a co - creator no less, and that the source is multiple things and no particular thing, you haven't even left the starting gate yet, you're still lost in the wonder of you.

[@wendersonmarinho7902]

i would like to learn prayer can someone write it for me please

[@chaplainmattsanders4884]

Are you asking for a particular prayer? In this context Fr. Keating is just recommending a single word to lead us to a quiet time of sitting in God’s presence. I’m not sure if that’s what you are asking, though.

[@mariahurtado1871]

Pray the rossary. Afther that keep quite and whenever a thougth or feeling comes to you, onmediatly say in your mind "jesus". That is the sacred word

[@GnosisMan50]

This practice is not easy. It makes it all the more difficult when you have tinnitus. I had it in one ear, now the other one chimes in sometimes. It's the worse thing to have for anyone who wants to do this practice.

[@chendaforest]

Maybe you could play some background music to mask the tinnitus?

[@daniellenwhite]

Discover Joe Dispenza's meditations on KZbin. Many have healed tinnitus and other conditions.

[@HNCS2006]

22:41

[@terencewinters2154]

First knock on Gods Door then make yourself a silent reception point and the light will enter you which you may not understand it till it incubates in the subconcious . Anything that leads you to trespass is not from God. Seek on the send channel receive on the meditation channel incubate and interpret on the subconcious level.

[@Ivuspp]

Notas em português. Palavra sagrada. Consentir a presença de Deus. Pensamentos (material psicológico) - retorno à palavra sagrada. Inevitável, integral e normal. Distrações: desconsiderar. Não se está no nível convencional, desconsiderar pensamentos como ruído da rua, música do supermercado. Não resistir a esses pensamentos: atitude alegre, amigável diante dos pensamentos mais terríveis. Não se prender a eles. Respeitá-los. Sorria para eles. Irritação causa pensamentos secundários mais perturbadores. Pensamento (termo guarda-chuva): qualquer pecepção, sensações, memórias, planos, comentários. Retornar sempre à palavra sagrada, não que ela tenha poderes de parar pensamentos. Oração sem esforço. Retornar à palavra gentilmente. Ao final, permanecer em silêncio por alguns minutos ou rezar um Pai-Nosso. Escolher a palavra sagrada, que expresse nossa vontade de estar na presença de Deus. Abertura à ação de Deus. Pede-se ao Espírito Santo que escolha uma palavra de uma ou duas sílabas. Exemplos: Senhor, Deus, Abba, Pai, Mãe, Amém, Sim. O que importa é o sentido que investimos na palavra escolhida. A sua vontade ou intenção é o que torna a palavra santa. Restabelecer a intenção original de estar com Deus: este é o papel da palavra sagrada. Permanecer com a palavra durante todo o tempo da oração. Parar de pensar: isto não significa que não teremos pensamentos, mas que não pensaremos sobre o pensamento. Você pode ter todos os pensamentos do mundo, e eles não vão interferir na oração. A intenção original só é interrompida quando passamos a pensar sobre esses pensamentos automáticos. Abertura é fundamental. Processo de oração não-conceitual. Sentar confortavelmente: para não pensar sobre desconforto. Fechar os olhos: isolar o exterior. Não se muda a palavra, deve-se continuar com a palavra escolhida. Os pensamentos são parte da oração. O Espírito Santo cura o inconsciente: é importante deixar que esses pensamentos surjam durante a oração. Pensamentos interessantes: barulho normal na rua, mas aparece uma batida de carro. Gera curiosidade, queremos ir lá olhar.

[@saintbruno1101]

O Bonitas

[@constipatedbowels3473]

The first method z exactly the same as Transcendental Meditation,available completely for free ....!...But maharishi's organisation will charge u huge bucks for the same thing basically...!...

[@JackManhire]

Can you give links to the 31 You Tube videos in the description? I cannot find them all. Thank you.

[@prayerofconsent]

Go here and read the description kzbin.info/www/bejne/novEYZWffsSJZqc At the end is a listing of all the titles. There is no link for them but you should be able to easily find them.

[@prayerofconsent]

If you enter in KZbin's search bar the exact title from this description of the video you want, it should come up in the search results.

[@andrewmiles3378]

He is a liberal Modernist. So typical of priests of his generation who have occasioned such catastrophic damage to Holy Mother Church. Like most of those he is now dead - and can therefore do no further damage. And, now, the Church returns to TRADITION! Meaning TRUTH.

[@MartinEngelbrecht-ey3rl]

You don't wanting to be fighting with self! 😂

[@dkmedley6190]

Contemplative prayer, as practiced in the modern prayer movement, is in opposition to biblical Christianity and should definitely be avoided. Read and follow the truth found only in God's Word, the Bible! We are to pray in faith (James 1:6), in direct address to God (Matthew 6:9), in Jesus’ name (John 14:13), offered with reverence and humility (Luke 18:13), with perseverance (Luke 18:1), and in submission to God’s will (Matthew 6:10). The Bible refers to prayer as beseeching the Lord (Psalm 118:25); pouring out one’s soul to the Lord (1 Samuel 1:15); crying out to heaven (2 Chronicles 32:20); and kneeling before the Father (Ephesians 3:14). God expects us to open our Bibles and study what He has said there. The Bible is the Word of God and is sufficient for our needs (see Revelation 22:18).

[@TheGuiltsOfUs]

Krishna consciousness is within

[@phoebewillow7273]

The spiritual exercises of Ignatius Loyola that include contemplative prayer are programs with occult methodologies and techniques that are being introduced and practiced in churches, seminaries and youth rallies around the world. These exercises are taken from the old Catholic and Eastern Orthodox traditions and are the antithesis of the meditation presented in God’s Word. Other examples of these practices are the Walk to Emmaus, Cursillo, Centering Prayer, Ignatian Awareness, Examen, chanting, biblical imagination, prayers of discernment, and the Jesus Prayer. Disguised Practice? Most evangelicals would immediately reject divination practices like the Ouija board, for example, and see it as a device for contacting evil spirit entities, which the Bible condemns and calls an abomination (Deuteronomy 18:10-12). But the Catholic Spiritual Exercises, such as contemplative prayer, appear to the uneducated in God’s Word less threatening as it is disguised under church related activities. The term “contemplative” means to think about something intently. So by the name, one would assume contemplative prayer to be earnest communication with God. However practitioners of these contemplative methods don’t do that. The goal of these practices is to get people beyond thinking and into the realm of “experiencing” God. A tutorial of this movement is The Spiritual Exercises of Ignatius of Loyola which introduces occult visualization. Sadly, these visualized apparitions are demons that take actual forms and usher the practitioner into the world of the occult and away from God. Not Biblical Contemplative prayer is not Biblical prayer because mystical “spirituality” downplays the role of faith in the Scriptures. It exalts “transcendental” experiences that raises the person from the earthly experiences into a supposedly higher “spiritual” stand. It is based on “experiences” rather than Bible based doctrine. God has given His Word and His Holy Spirit to help His children know what is of Him and what is not. The scriptures clearly teach that we should “give attendance… to doctrine” (1 Timothy 4:13). Faith that is based on mysticism is subjective and does not rely upon the absolute truths of God. The Word of God has been given to us as a light the leads us to the path of righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Trusting in feelings and experiences is not Biblical, we must “walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7). And “faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17). We do not see any of the apostles, prophets or disciples ever using contemplative prayer to connect with God. On the contrary all sorcery and divination were fully condemned (1 Samuel 15:10) and for practicing these evils, the Jews were led into captivity and destroyed (2 Kings 17:17; Jeremiah 14:14; Malachi 3:5). And the apostle Paul lists sorcery as one of many sinful practices that rob people from having eternal life: “Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife . . . and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God” (Galatians 5:19-21).

[@BrianCormackCarr]

🥱

[@phoebewillow7273]

@@BrianCormackCarr 😊🤗

[@larryprimeau7738]

Centering prayer is TM or extremely similar.

[@halwarner3326]

Yes there are many avenues to our true self or spirit or essence or God.

[@jhgosnell]

Only in the sense that both aim at Being Itself....or God....as does zazen, vipassana, etc. CP is based entirely on an intention towards receptivity to Being. TM is a way of working with attention that makes one receptive to Being.

[@HealingHouse88]

Hey, I was writing a paper about this for Boston College School of Theology and Ministry. A great resource that I found was Andrew Newberg M.D. He preformed SPECT imaging on different people meditating in various different methods and wrote several books about his findings. If you are interested in this type of stuff, one of his books is "How God Changed the Brain" and the other is called "Neurotheology". Maybe these will answer some questions for you.

[@HealingHouse88]

I haven't completed my channel yet but you may be interestes in a video I posted up recently. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jqCUmGx_fM2tjqs

[@groundofbeing9733]

Seems to be. More of a focus of awareness to surrender to Beingness.

[@kvnboudreaux]

This is just a Christian form of TM

[@PabloHolmberg-w1t]

There is indeed A documentary where he talks about how he discovered TM through another brother in the monastery. So, yes, he adapted TM.

[@kvnboudreaux]

@@PabloHolmberg-w1t the more I learned, I realized there were some differences. the mantra in TM is continuously repeated whereas the sacred word in centering prayer is only used when the mind wanders and so it isn’t repeated continuously

[@PabloHolmberg-w1t]

@@kvnboudreaux In my understanding of TM you should let go the mantra when thinking arises and then return to it without effort when it subsides. But yes there are differences for sure. But there is a documentary where he speaks about the impact TM had in the monastery and in him when a brother started practicing it. He mentions it as turning point if I remember well.

[@emilyhigh4653]

He acutely dead

[@joelblade940]

This guys' nuts.

[@Andrew-yw6kt]

Why do say that?

[@thomaspatt3048]

His pride is holding him back needs to learn humility. I'll Pray fot him.