There will be times when contemplatives feel they cannot pray anymore. All that is left to them is the desire to pray, sometimes buried under enormous difficulties in daily life along with interior purification. They need to be reminded again and again that the desire to pray is itself a prayer. St. John of the […]
The practice of meditation is indeed an authentic experience of dying to self … it is like a “mini-death,” at least from the perspective of the ego … We let go of our self-talk, our interior dialogue, our fears, wants, needs, preferences, daydreams, and fantasies. These all become just “thoughts,” and we learn to let […]
“Forgiveness is central to the Christian religion. It was Jesus’ chief concern on the night of his resurrection when he revealed himself to the apostles … breathed on them, and said, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them. Whose sins you retain are retained’ (John 20:22-23). … “God is nothing but […]
There is something very simple about God. Simple like a child’s laughter that breaks forth, spontaneously, without guile. Simple like when you act, immediately and directly, to help someone who falls in front of you. … God is simple like the way every moment of time, in its ordinariness, holds the gift of your life […]
Monday, August 29 – Friday, September 2, 2022 Catherine’s House: Mercy International Centre, 64A Baggot Street, Dublin 2 Fionnuala Quinn O.P. Suzanne Ryder RSM Maire Hearty RSM A Silent Introductory Retreat to Centering Prayer with Readings from Catherine McAuley Retreatants will participate in the full Introduction to Centering Prayer, suitable for newcomers and […]
Sunday July 10 – 15, 2022 ENNISMORE RETREAT CENTRE, Montenotte, Cork Fionnuala Quinn O.P. Lesley O’Connor Listen to the Spirit Speaking to your Heart This contemplative retreat welcomes those who are drawn to silence and yearn to learn more about the ancient Christian practices of Monastic Lectio Divina and Centering Prayer. The retreat will be […]
In the experience of silence, especially if it is deep, you may experience at times a certain pure awareness. Even if it is brief, you are in contact with That Which Is, and this Reality is obviously in love with you. Thomas Keating God is Love: The Heart of All Creation Thoughts about […]
October 2020“Because we are members of one species, all of whom are interconnected and interdependent, our every thought, word and deed affect everyone else in the human family instantaneously, regardless of space and time. Hence we are accountable to each other as well as to God.” Thomas Keating, Reflections on the Unknowable In Memoriam We […]
“Deep prayer increases our trust in God so that we can acknowledge anything and are not blown away by it.” Thomas Keating, Intimacy with God Unloading of the Unconscious Posted on September 10, 2020 (September 10, 2020) Q: I have practiced Centering Prayer for years now and I was wondering if you could […]
August 2020 “Contemplative prayer allows the hunger and thirst for God to well up.” Thomas Keating Voices of the Community Pulsing with Life by Sandy Hilger Saints Simon and Jude Centering Prayer Meeting Huntington Beach, CA I saw a tree in the park. The young leaves were bright green, through and through. “That’s nice,” I […]