Centering Prayer draws on the work of major contributors to the Christian contemplative heritage including John Cassian; the anonymous author of The Cloud of Unknowing; Francis de Sales; Teresa of Avila; John of the Cross; Therese of Lisieux and Thomas Merton.

Centering Prayer prepares us to receive the gift of contemplative prayer, that is prayer in which we open to God’s presence within. The prayer is both a relationship with God and a discipline to foster that relationship. It consists of responding to the Spirit of Christ by consenting to God’s presence and action within.

Centering Prayer is not meant to replace other kinds of prayer. Rather, it adds depth of meaning to all prayer and facilitates the movement from more active modes of verbal prayer into a more receptive prayer of resting in God. It is a movement beyond conversation with Christ to communion with Him. It is the opening of heart and mind and our whole being to God, the Ultimate Mystery, beyond words, thoughts and emotions.

Through grace we open our awareness to God whom we know by faith is within us, closer than breathing, closer than thinking, closer than choosing, closer than consciousness itself.