As noted in this space last week, the gift of contemplation can arise out of any method of prayer. The key is that, no matter our chosen approach, we must consent to God’s loving presence and action within us, that through our prayer, we might come to know God and be known by God more and more completely.
While the MMOC Contemplative Core Team seeks to promote and support contemplative practice in its diversity of forms, activities driven by the Core Team focus on a particular silent prayer practice known as Centering Prayer. This was chosen as the “default” method of prayer, not because it is superior to others, but because it offers a direct way of disposing oneself to Divine Presence.
For those who are not familiar and for all of us who need reminding, the Four Guidelines of Centering Prayer are:
Choose a sacred word as the symbol of your intention to consent to God’s presence and action within.
Sitting comfortably and with eyes closed, settle briefly and silently introduce the sacred word as the symbol of your consent to God’s presence and action within.
When engaged with your thoughts [including body sensations, feelings, images, and reflections], return ever so gently to the sacred word.
At the end of the prayer period, remain in silence with eyes closed for a couple of minutes.