Centering Prayer and Inner Awakening

I enjoyed this book very much. The author, Cynthia Borgeault - an Episcopalian priest, reviews aspects of centering prayer, a Christian contemplative practice evolved from Christian monastic practices of the first few centuries A.D. by Fr. Thomas Keating and his monastic colleagues. Fr. Keating is a leader in this form of spirituality and is the author of many of the books related to the practice. Borgeault studied with Fr. Keating, but her "take" on centering prayer is a bit different than Keating's and it provides useful contrast and food for thought... Give it a try, you might like it.

This is an elegantly written exploration of the contemplative practice of Centering Prayer -- its history, instructions for practice, and unique transformational benefits.

Cynthia Bourgeault contrasts Centering Prayer with other meditative techniques with remarkable clarity and precision -- detailing their similarities and subtle differences.

Bourgeault's premise about kenosis (self-emptying) as an alternative path to spiritual union vs. the traditional "store-it-up" school, is brilliantly innovative.

The practice of Welcoming Prayer, as a method of carrying the benefits of Centering Prayer into daily life, is inspired and eminently practical.

Despite its Christian lineage, Centering Prayer transcends religious traditions ...the sole prerequisite for practice is simply a belief in God.

Centering Prayer is a western meditative technique that refutes the cliché that eastern philosophy is always intellectually and spiritually superior to western thought.

If education is to offer students an opportunity to consider their place in the world, such a transformation by necessity involves de-centering the egoic mind and replacing it with living one's life in service for others. While curricula can be structured to foster such dramatic change, I agree with Cynthia's proposition that nearly "every spiritual tradition that holds a vision of human transformation at its heart also claims that a practice of intentional silence is a non-negotiable. Period. You just have to do it" (p. 9). As a skilled retreat leader, Cynthia insightfully presents how to conceptualize Centering Prayer and develop it as a regular practice in order to facilitate such change.

Despite the appropriate exhortation to serve others rather than oneself in courses advocating social change, the human heart remains the ultimate battleground where the practice of service is won or lost. Cynthia borrows the Buddhist metaphor of the "monkey mind" to illustrate our essential problem: the egoic mind's incessant grasping for self-gratification. More personally, she explains, "In my own efforts to live the gospel I have found that it is virtually impossible to reach and sustain that life of `perfect love' without a practice of contemplative prayer . . . . Ordinary awareness always eventually betrays itself and returns to its usual postures of self-defense and self-justification" (p. 17). Thus, for teachers searching for a deeper level of awareness, Cynthia's book has much to offer, first, in directing and inspiring teachers to develop their own practice of meditation. In addition, her writing could serve as the basis for lesson plans that assist students to engage in the practice of Centering Prayer or other forms of meditation.

Having read a good number of books on Centering Prayer, Cynthia's book tops my list for clarity of explanation and applicability to spiritual practice.

This is a wonderful book. It helped me connect my Buddhist practise with my Christian background in a way that answered long unanswered questions, made sense. I so very much wish I had had a book like this 20 years ago.

I am an Episcopal priest of fifty seven years who has always been too obsessive/compulsive to be a successful contemplative. I kept trying to learn centering prayer over the years and kept giving it up in frustration. Cynthia Bourgeault has finally won me over. Her writing about spirituality is beautiful, profound and precise. It is grounded in both Eastern and Western spiritual traditions. I have now read all her books, and have been led by her into a deeper and richer private spiritual life.

Cynthia Bourgeault adds her unique insights about a practice that has mainly become known through the writings and teachings of Fr. Thomas Keating. Both are excellent teachers, though I think Cynthia Bourgeault is more contemporary. She is an Episcopalian; Keating is a Catholic priest. Fr. Keating is in his 90's and no longer teaching; Bourgeault is much younger and is in her prime.

A wonderful and honest guide for those hoping to pray simply using centering prayer. I am so thankful I got it.

A seminal work which combines a strong understanding of practice and intellectual foundation of practice . Well worth a thoughtful read

I especially appreciate the clarity of thought and the incisive distinctions in this presentation of Centering Prayer. Bourgeault's comprehensive understanding of the Christian theological and spiritual tradition and the place of Centering Prayer in this tradition is also very helpful. It is a great practical guide to the practice of Centering Prayer and the Welcoming priayer as well.

[[ASIN:1561012629 Centering Prayer and Inner Awakening]]

This book reveals understanding about meditation that is different from anything I have ever seen. It is moving and very helpful.