Why an annual retreat is beneficial for practitioners of Centering Prayer
Picture a musician faithfully practicing each day and then joining the orchestra for its yearly concert. While the time spent practicing alone is important, it is in playing with others that the music is enhanced and that together the musicians celebrate something greater than themselves, each sharing their unique gift with one another. Afterwards, they return to their daily routine and individual practices with a renewed enthusiasm and a deepened understanding of the music.
Something very powerful takes place when you enter into the embrace of a prayerful community. When you do not have to worry about being in charge and all your needs are being taken care of, you find yourself surrendering to an inner grace . . . ever-so-gently being formed by the silence.
Jesus suggested to his disciples that they go off on their own and he himself set the example:
‘Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.’
So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place.
– Mark 6:31- 32 [Excerpts from an article by Fr. Carl Arico]
Featured in the Newsletter
Listening With the Heart
A 5-Day Centering Prayer & Lectio Divina Retreat
September 26-30, 2022
Mt. Angel Abbey Guesthouse, Mt. Angel, Oregon
Each day will include 3 hours of Centering Prayer, Grand Silence, and two sessions of Lectio practice. We will weave together deep silence with contemplative listening and responding.
photo: Benneth Husted
No Frills Second Sits
4:30-5:00pm (Pacific)
No chit-chat, no extras.
All are welcome.
Drop in any time
All are welcome – drop in any time. Contact councilcoordinating@gmail.com for login information.
New Spiritual Journey Course - Zoom
What does it mean to live a contemplative life?
Featured Ongoing Event
A deep dive into Centering Prayer.
Guided lectio, video or audio, discussion.
Come to all in sequence or drop in.
August 2022
August 2: #4 Introduction to Centering Prayer Pt. 2
August 9: #5 The Method of C.P., Handling Thoughts
August 16: #6. C.P. and Thoughts, Guideline Three, Pt. 2
August 23: #7 Attitudes Towards God
August 30: #8 Attitudes Towards God Pt 2
The Contemplative Dimension of the Twelve Steps: A Centering Prayer as Eleventh Step Retreat
St. Placid Priory, Spirituality Center
August 11-16, 2022
Thursday, 7:00 pm – Tuesday 11 am
Contemplative Chant
Tuesday, Sept. 13, 9:30 a.m. to noon in person
Trinity Episcopal Cathedral (in the chancel)
Learn chants from different traditions, including Sufi, Gregorian, Taizé and contemporary. Explore and discover how to use your body to produce different sound qualities. We’ll chant together before a Centering Prayer sit and then send you home with some chants to use with your own prayer groups. Facilitators: Carole Cook, Pat Zimmer, Amy Stuart-Hunn, Benneth Husted, Martha Scullion.
Words make you think a thought.
Music makes you feel a feeling.
A song makes you feel a thought.– Yip Harburg
Email przimmer@comcast.net to register.
Contemplative Outreach
Contemplative Outreach, Ltd. (our national organization) supports over 90 active contemplative chapters in 39 countries. They publish a monthly e-Bulletin that is an excellent source of inspiration and information. See More Information below for a sample.
Fourth Tuesdays
Please note: Fourth Tuesday Lectio plus two sits will be on hiatus until further notice.
Word of the Week
A weekly contemplative view into liturgy, with reflections and sometimes videos of Thomas Keating, and practice suggestions for daily life.
that beings gather about us, that they may see,
it may be, their own images,
and so live for a moment with a clearer,
perhaps even a fiercer life because of our quiet.”
Contemplative Outreach of Portland Newsletter
Contemplative Outreach National Newsletter