Perhaps you’ve heard of Centering Prayer as a path toward knowledge of self and of God. You wonder whether you should give it a try.

Or perhaps you’ve tried Centering Prayer and it was too dry, or too painful. Your mind wouldn’t quiet down. It didn’t seem to be for you. Could it be?

Or perhaps you currently practice Centering Prayer, but wonder how to deepen it. Where is the life, light, and love?

If any of these statements resonate, then this series is for you.

Thomas Keating, one of the key founders of the Centering Prayer movement, says that Centering Prayer is “a method leading to contemplative prayer, . . . the first rung on the ladder of contemplative prayer.” If contemplative prayer is “a supernatural love and knowledge of God” (Merton), how does Centering Prayer lead us in that direction? And what are the next few rungs?

In this class we will introduce Centering Prayer as taught by Keating. Then we will explore a few ways in which the prayer exercise of The Cloud of Unknowing differs from Centering Prayer. Along the way, we’ll talk about the inner journey, the stilling of thoughts (detachment), and the path toward greater knowledge of self and of God—to “be still and know that I am God.” We’ll encourage each other and share difficulties and observations. Together, we will learn, discuss, practice, and reflect. We’ll set out together along the road of death of self and rebirth in Christ — to know God.

Be still and know that I am God. ~Psalm 46:10