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This was the first book on Centering Prayer that I read as I began this transforming practice in June of 2014. I recently took a peek back into this wonderful book and wish to share with you six key points.
Interwoven
"As we move toward center, our own being and the divine being become more and more mysteriously interwoven."
This is what happens when we sit in silence and open to the presence of God. We become one with God. We let God pray in us. We arise from our sits ready to act on the prayers God prayed in us. When we take our second sit, we begin this beautiful cycle again: sit in silence, God prays in us, arise from our sit, act on God's prayers in us.
See In The Dark
"In fact, you could say that learning to shift to seeing with your spiritual awareness is a lot like learning to see in the dark."
Centering prayer is a silent sit in faith. We let go of all thoughts, emotions and physical sensations and open to God. We trust God. We don't know what will happen. We sit and we trust that God's inner actions are best. We learn to see in the dark.
Place We Come From
"But as the practice becomes more and more established in you so that this inner sanctuary begins to flow out into your life, it becomes more and more a place you come from."
After each morning sit I am ready for the day! I am calm and energized. I am excited for what the day will bring. I seem to know what tasks that God wishes for me to accomplish today.
My second sit is usually in mid afternoon. My second sit refills my reservoir. It helps me to refocus and finish my day.
I need both sits!
Die To Self
"Dying to self means being willing to let go of what I want (or think I want) in order to create space for God to direct, lead, and guide me into a truer way of being."
This is what we do during our silent sits. When we let go we create this most important space. My best actions spawn when I die to self during my silent sit.
Self Empty
"Paul sees that self-emptying is the touchstone, the core reality underlying every moment of Jesus’ human journey. Self-emptying is what first brings him into human form, and self-emptying is what leads him out, returning him to the realm of dominion and glory."
When we sit in silence we experience the death, passion and resurrection of Jesus. It is a beautiful mystery that happens each time we sit with Jesus. To be honest, I am not completely sure what this means but as my silent sits continue more and more of this mystery is revealed to me.
Next Steps
"But the promise contemplative prayer makes is that if you show up, things will start to change."
The fruits of Centering Prayer are unique to the practitioner. We do not enter Centering Prayer for these fruits. They are freely given to us by a most gracious God. I have noticed I am more calm and confident. I slow down and listen to others. I am filled with energy and excited to live my life.
Rich Lewis
SilenceTeaches.com
- Paperback: 192 pages
- Publisher: Cowley Publications; 1 edition (June 25, 2004)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 1561012629
- ISBN-13: 978-1561012626
- Product Dimensions: 5.6 x 0.4 x 8.7 inches
- Shipping Weight: 9.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
- Average Customer Review: 167 customer reviews
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Amazon Best Sellers Rank:
#13,690 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #3 in Episcopalian Christianity (Books)
- #3 in Anglican Christianity (Books)
- #28 in Prayer (Books)
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