The Spirituality of Centering Prayer Support Groups
Long before Zoom, Contemplative Outreach was holding teleconferences to connect Centering Prayer practitioners and facilitators of Centering Prayer groups across the U.S. This was the 4th annual United in Prayer teleconference in 1993, held in Denver and joining 50 sites throughout the country. The presenters were Fr. Thomas Keating, Sr. Bernadette Teasdale, David Salamon, and Jinnohn Gilmore; with moderator Gail Fitzpatrick-Hopler.
Fr. Thomas talks about how a Centering Prayer support group is a contemplative community. Other topics include the spirituality of such a support group, its overall structure and enrichment, and the role of the coordinator and facilitators, with questions and answers from those in the studio and across the country.
Although presented almost 30 years ago, the original observations can still energize a prayer group today so that it can be looked upon as “a retreat house without walls“ or “a contemplative community in progress."
For more information on Centering Prayer, including contacts for joining a Centering Prayer support group in person or online, plus international contacts, go to http://www.contemplativeoutreach.org.