Parishioner Margaret Poirrier shares how changing her relationship with her thoughts helped her to engage in contemplative practice:
I’ve been involved with prayer groups for 50 yrs. I had been exposed to Centering Prayer but felt a failure because I was unable to banish my thoughts.
When Contemplative prayer was offered here at Mary Mother, I tried it. The thing that helped me most was when Deacon Bob explained how to manage our thoughts. I always assumed I needed to stop thinking but I had no clue how to do that. Deacon Bob said that when we had a thought, we need to welcome it then send it away, gently. The word that touched my heart was, GENTLY. Don’t just deny thoughts or shove at them but GENTLY welcome them then GENTLY send them away – I tried it and found it was a workable solution.
For the first time I was able to sit quietly for a stretch of time without struggling. When a thought comes, I don’t fight with it but welcome it then, GENTLY, send it away. I find that 20 minutes goes by quickly when one is peaceful. I thank God that I finally understand Centering Contemplative prayer and have added it to my prayer time practices.