I just finished reading Open Mind, Open Heart, as well as Invitation to Love, both by modern day Catholic contemplative Thomas Keating.
These books were recommended to me by Dave, a spiritual director whom I met through Randy, a Facebook friend. He and I will be talking on Monday about the possibility of me being mentored by him.
The subject of the books is Centering Prayer, which is a modern term for a practice that dates back centuries to John of the Cross‘ Dark Night of the Soul, which I read years ago, Teresa of Avila’s The Interior Castle, which I also read years ago, and The Cloud of Unknowing, by an anonymous author, which I’ve yet to read.
I started this morning after breakfast with the Dwell app reading Psalms 1-4, attempting to settle my heart for a short time… a first time… of Centering Prayer.
…ponder in your own hearts on your beds, and be silent.
Psalm 4
So I set the timer for 11 minutes, snuggled into the couch, and waited without thought or emotion.
Yeah.
That lasted about 30 seconds.
Do you have any idea how hard that is? I was having thoughts about not having thoughts, and that disturbing itch on my neck.
The simplest way I feel that I as a novice can explain centering prayer is a period of time without thought to commune with God at the level of Spirit to spirit. In modern terms, to listen, not talk. To just “be” in Presence.
I feel like I failed. But Open Heart, Open Mind, warned me of this, and told me to not be discouraged. God sees my intent, and it has brought the Trinity great joy.
If interested, I would recommend reading Open Heart, Open Mind first.
At Rest In Him 