On Silent Contemplation

Exploring Centering Prayer as a way to return to our soul-home

First Contemplative Session Sept 7th 11-11:30am PST

It’s we that have left for a walk,

 its God that is waiting at home for us.

–Meister Eckhart

Silent contemplation, such as Centering Prayer, is an embodied act of presence--presence to oneself and to God in our midst, God within. It creates space for thoughts, emotions, and sensations to arise, and then to practice graciously letting go.

Silent contemplation is a practice of returning to our soul home. We are more than our thoughts and accomplishments.

I used to think I was doing it wrong when my mind would wander, and yet have realized that the very act of returning to a Sacred word is a gift. It is a way of saying I am more than my thoughts, emotions, and experiences. They do not need to define me. Beneath my knee-jerk reactions is a Self, a true self.

In the returning, I get to practice self-compassion. Oh there I go again, inhale, exhale, return to my True Self, return to my belovedness. Not with an angry, shameful voice, but a loving voice.

Every meditation and centering prayer teacher will affirm that it is 100% normal for our minds to wander. We’re always thinking, feeling, doing. When we stop doing, our thoughts and feelings naturally come. That is part of the gift: to slow down enough for our body and mind to communicate with us.