A Journey into the Heart of Contemplation
Centering Prayer is a contemplative practice deeply rooted in the Christian tradition, inspired by the early Desert Fathers and Mothers who sought God in the silence and solitude of the desert. The prayer developed as a response to the request in 1. Tess 5,17: "Pray without ceasing."
This ancient practice has been revitalized in modern times by figures such as Johannes Dyckhoff, John Main, and Thomas Keating. Centering Prayer invites practitioners to open their hearts to the divine presence and deepen their relationship with God through silence, stillness, and a simple sacred word or phrase.
Historical Roots: The Desert Fathers and John Cassian
The origins of Centering Prayer go back to the early Christian hermits of the 3rd and 4th centuries, known as the Desert Fathers and Mothers. These men and women emphasized "pure prayer" — a form of prayer that transcended words and thoughts, focusing instead on resting silently in the presence of God. John Cassian, a 5th-century monk, captured these teachings in his writings, particularly in his "Conferences." Cassian described prayer as a way to experience God directly, through interior quiet and stillness. His teachings laid the groundwork for what we now call Centering Prayer, emphasizing simplicity, silence, and the love of God.
Modern Revivals: Dyckhoff, Main, and Keating
Several modern spiritual teachers have contributed to the revival and popularization of contemplative prayer practices, adapting them for contemporary Christian life.
Johannes Dyckhoff and the "Ruhegebet" (Prayer of Rest): Dyckhoff, a German theologian, developed the "Ruhegebet," or "Prayer of Rest," which is closely aligned with the practice of Centering Prayer. In Ruhegebet, the practitioner uses a sacred word or phrase — a "prayer word" — to call upon God or express a heartfelt intention. This word might be "Jesus Christ," "Abba," or a short request for mercy, like "Jesus Christ, have mercy on me and the whole world." The prayer word serves as a tool to gently refocus the mind whenever thoughts start to wander, drawing the practitioner back into God's presence. It's recommended to not change the once chosen sacred phrase throughout the years of practicing the Prayer of Rest.
John Main and Christian Meditation: John Main, a Benedictine monk, revitalized Christian meditation by promoting the repetition of a mantra or sacred word. Drawing from the ancient practices of the Desert Fathers, as well as from the Buddhist practice of Zen meditation, Main emphasized a single word, such as "Maranatha" (Aramaic for "Come, Lord"), to center the mind and facilitate an encounter with God. His method emphasizes regular, disciplined practice and a deep trust in God's presence within.
Thomas Keating and Centering Prayer: Thomas Keating, a Trappist monk, was instrumental in developing the modern Centering Prayer movement. Keating's approach involves selecting a simple sacred word, such as "Love" or "Peace," as a symbol of one's intention to consent to God's presence and action within. Practitioners gently return to this word whenever they notice themselves becoming distracted by thoughts, emotions, or sensations. Keating's method has made the ancient practice of contemplative prayer accessible to laypeople around the world.
Comparing Centering Prayer and the Jesus Prayer
Centering Prayer shares similarities with the Jesus Prayer, a contemplative practice that evolved in the Eastern Orthodox Church. The Jesus Prayer, often recited as “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner,” is a short, repetitive prayer used to focus the mind and open the heart to God’s presence. Practitioners repeat the prayer continuously, either silently or aloud, until it becomes an almost automatic part of their consciousness, helping them enter into the deeper awareness of God's presence.
Key Similarities:
Repetition of a Sacred Word or Phrase: Both practices involve the repetition of a word or phrase to center the mind and focus on God's presence. In Centering Prayer, this word could be "Love," "Jesus," or "Peace," while in the Jesus Prayer, the phrase directly invokes the name of Jesus and asks for mercy.
Interior Silence and Stillness: Both practices emphasize moving beyond thoughts, words, and concepts, into a place of inner silence and stillness. The goal is to enter into deeper communion with God, letting go of distractions and attachments.
Simplicity and Accessibility: Both forms of prayer are simple and can be practiced by anyone, anywhere. They do not require special knowledge or rituals, only a willingness to be open to God's presence.
Key Differences:
Focus on Petition vs. Presence: The Jesus Prayer is more explicitly a prayer of petition, asking for mercy from Jesus Christ. It is both a form of contemplation and a continuous invocation of God's mercy. In contrast, Centering Prayer focuses less on petition and more on a silent, interior consent to God's presence and action within. It is a practice of surrendering one's thoughts and intentions, trusting that God knows our needs.
Use of a Sacred Word vs. Fixed Formula: In Centering Prayer, the sacred word is a personal choice, symbolizing the intention to be open to God. The word may change over time or with different sessions of prayer. The Jesus Prayer, however, is a fixed formula, a constant invocation that becomes a continuous rhythm in the heart of the practitioner.
Origin and Historical Context: The Jesus Prayer has its roots in the Eastern Orthodox tradition and is often associated with the practices of the Hesychast monks of Mount Athos. Centering Prayer, while drawing on ancient Christian practices, has been shaped and popularized in its modern form within the Western Christian context, especially within the Catholic tradition.
A Step-by-Step Guide to Centering Prayer
Find a Quiet Place: Choose a quiet spot where you will not be disturbed. Sit comfortably with your back straight and feet flat on the floor. Close your eyes to minimize distractions.
Select a Sacred Word or Phrase: Choose a simple word or phrase, such as “Jesus,” “Peace,” “Abba,” or “Jesus, my all in all,” to symbolize your intention to be open to God's presence.
Set a Time: Decide on a duration for your prayer, usually 20 minutes. Use a timer to help maintain focus without worrying about the time.
Ritual of Beginning: Choose a ritual that separates everyday life from prayer and helps you to let go of everything in order to be fully present before God. This can be a conscious bow, or a sign of the cross or another gesture of your choice.
Begin in Silence: Silently introduce your sacred word as a symbol of your intention to open yourself to God's presence and action within.
Return to the Word: Whenever you notice thoughts, distractions, or sensations, gently return to your sacred word. Do not fight your thoughts or judge yourself; simply let them go and refocus.
Conclude with Silence: After the set time, remain in silence for a few more moments to gently transition out of the prayer. You might end with a short prayer of gratitude or the “Our Father.”
Regular Practice: Practice Centering Prayer for 20 minutes once or twice daily to deepen your experience and openness to God.
Challenges and Benefits of Centering Prayer
Common Challenges:
Distractions and Wandering Thoughts: It is natural for the mind to wander during prayer. The key is to gently refocus on the sacred word without frustration.
Restlessness and Impatience: Physical discomfort or impatience can arise. Finding a comfortable posture and practicing deep breathing can help.
Doubt and Discouragement: Some may feel they are not doing it "right" or that nothing is happening. Trust in God's presence and the transformative power of the practice.
Benefits of Centering Prayer:
Deepened Relationship with God: Centering Prayer fosters a deeper, more intimate relationship with God beyond words and concepts.
Inner Peace and Calm: Regular practice cultivates inner peace, calm, and a sense of being grounded in God's presence.
Healing and Transformation: Opens the heart to spiritual growth, healing, and the release of emotional baggage and attachments.
Greater Compassion and Patience: Often leads to greater compassion, patience, and a more loving attitude toward oneself and others.
How Centering Prayer Complements Other Christian Practices
Centering Prayer fits harmoniously into the broader context of Catholic and Christian prayer traditions. It complements vocal prayers, other forms of christian meditation and liturgical worship by offering a method of contemplative stillness that allows for deeper communion with God. This practice aligns with the ancient Christian tradition of seeking God not only through spoken words and structured rituals but also through quiet, loving attentiveness to the divine presence within.
Conclusion: Embracing Centering Prayer as a Path to Divine Union
Centering Prayer is a profound spiritual practice that draws on the rich heritage of Christian contemplation, bringing together elements from the teachings of the Desert Fathers, the writings of John Cassian, and the insights of modern teachers. Through this practice, we open ourselves to the mystery of God, trusting that in the silence, God speaks most profoundly.
By embracing Centering Prayer, we participate in a timeless tradition that nourishes our souls and deepens our relationship with God.
Comentarios