... Recently, the conversations with God seem to have changed ... Sometimes, but not all the time, when I am experiencing that wonderful, heart-swelling sense of closeness with him, I sense words coming out of my heart. Please understand that this is not a heard voice, as in an auditory hallucination, but rather a felt knowledge of words, which are often "spoken" to my heart simultaneously alongside questions I may ask ... Is what I'm describing even possible? Does God ever work this way, or am I just being naive?
. Please submit your questions about contemplative practices, the spiritual journey and the contemplative life to Fr. Carl by emailing
Silence, by Carl Lowen. "I spent 19 years as a lay-brother.at St. Joseph’s Abbey when Father Thomas was my Abbot. He was a wonderful man who helped me develop my spiritual life. I am now 75 years old, and have practiced contemplative prayer for over 50 years ..."
Read more.
Snorkeling in God, by Mark Lybarger-Monson. "I am grateful to have been practicing centering prayer for several years now. While in Hawaii with my family last summer, I would practice centering prayer on a hammock then aspire to the same surrender while in the ocean while snorkeling ..."
Read more.
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In Celebration of the UN International Day of Peace - September 21, 2013
Contemplative Outreach has been invited to present the method of Centering Prayer and lead a short period of prayer at the
Global Meditation Celebration in honor of the
United Nations International Day of Peace. Ron Barnett, secretary on the Circle of Service for CO and a Centering Prayer practitioner for 16 years, will lead the prayer time at 2:30 p.m. ET. Gail Fitzpatrick-Hopler, President of CO, says, "For us, peace is not a cause; it is one of the fruits of the Spirit and a fruit of a committed Centering Prayer practice. We have an opportunity to share Centering Prayer at this International Day of Peace. When our hearts are filled with the spirit of peace, we are called to share it with all of humanity by our simple presence. Please join in this day of prayer in your own way or with your local prayer group."
Join Shalem Institute's 40-Hour Contemplative Prayer Vigil, beginning October 13, 2013
In honor of their 40th anniversary, our friends at the
Shalem Institute for Spiritual Formation are hosting a
40-hour contemplative prayer vigil and are inviting any and all to join them for any amount of time. Their intention is to circle the world in prayer. Thomas Keating is an honorary council member and Contemplative Outreach is a supporting organization. Gail Fitzpatrick-Hopler underscores this support: "It is our honor to join the prayer vigil in celebration of the 40th
anniversary of Shalem. We share a dedication to the Christian contemplative tradition, where our intention is to give ourselves prayerfully, attentively and in all humility to trust in the presence and action of God in our daily lives. We encourage all of the members of Contemplative Outreach worldwide to take a moment during this time of vigil to send blessings to Shalem Institute's work for the good. May the blessings of God be upon them during this time of Vigil, may God’s peace abide in them as they continue their work, may God’s presence illuminate their hearts, now and forever more!"
Save the date: Advent of the Heart Online Retreat
Advent of the Heart, an online retreat
in partnership with Spirituality & Practice
November 29 - December 25, 2013
$49.95
Read more and register here.
Missed these gems in our store?
New: The Gift of Life: Death & Dying, Life & Living offers a vision of hope and a view of reality that counter the cultural norms that view death as a tragedy, or the end of living, or an entry into harsh judgment and retribution. Hard copy and digital versions available.
Read more.
Meditations on the Parables of Jesus, Thomas Keating.
$14.95.
Intimacy with God, Thomas Keating. A must-read (and re-read) for any Centering Prayer practitioner.
$16.95.
The Path of Centering Prayer, Deepening Your Experience of God, David Frenette.
$19.00,
Reduced pricing on various praxis topics in
The Contemplative Life Program.
Read more about the program and see a product listing here.
Find a Retreat, or a Local Contact
Visit our easy-to-use
online calendar for full listings of retreats, workshops and special events. New events are added each week. You can also search our worldwide
Community section of the website for local contacts and local websites. These people are also a source for event and prayer group information.
For more information on events, retreats, local Centering Prayer contacts, an online store and teachings from Contemplative Outreach, go to our website.
Q: ... Recently, the conversations with God seem to have changed ... Sometimes, but not all the time, when I am experiencing that wonderful, heart-swelling sense of closeness with him, I sense words coming out of my heart. Please understand that this is not a heard voice, as in an auditory hallucination, but rather a felt knowledge of words, which are often "spoken" to my heart simultaneously alongside questions I may ask ... Is what I'm describing even possible? Does God ever work this way, or am I just being naive?