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Triangle Contemplative Outreach
Suggestions for forming and facilitating Centering Prayer groups
Printable version of guidelines: Facilitator Guidelines
Centering Prayer Groups
The network known as Triangle Contemplative Outreach is made up of individuals and groups dedicated to Centering Prayer. The Centering Prayer Group is a particular help in supporting an individual's practice of Centering. Though each group will develop according to the needs of its members, all groups generally include the following three elements:
- prayer together,
- some form of input (video, reading a book, audio tape), and
- faith sharing.
Prayer groups are formed when several people who practice (or want to practice) Centering Prayer have attended the full day introductory workshop or six evening sessions, and have found a place to meet, as well as someone who is willing to serve as facilitator. The Facilitator role can also be shared. Groups tend to stay together if they meet weekly or biweekly.
The Centering Prayer group usually becomes a small Christian community, devoted to Centering as a part of the deepening spiritual journey. Because each journey is personal and individual, faith-sharing usually involves speaking from one's own experience, as one voice in the group. Groups tend to remain faithful for a long period of time if they avoid becoming problem-solving sessions, doctrinal discussions, theology seminars or bible study.
Participants are received into a welcoming, non-judgmental, supportive and prayerful environment. From this imitation of the monastic charism, we all emerge enriched and inspired.
Facilitator's Role in the Centering Prayer Group
Service to others is an important part of a contemplative life and the facilitator is one of the network's most important servant leaders. Those who work in the Centering Prayer network use the phrase "servant leadership" to describe our efforts for and among the various members. Servant leadership means serving the needs of the group, in the spirit of love. It does not mean having all the answers.
The facilitator is committed to regular attendance, to being a good listener, and to creating a space for fellow-journeyers to deepen their spiritual life. Theology, scripture, and the history of the contemplative life are all available in the many books and videos by Fr. Keating that the group can study together. Indeed, the journey is undertaken together, by everyone in the network.
A facilitator generally agrees to undertake the following tasks in support of the group:
- prepare the room for prayer,
- establish a welcoming environment,
- privately introduce the method of Centering to new group members, encouraging them to attend the next available Introductory Session
- lead the prayer for the group by starting and ending the period of Centering Prayer
- monitor the time for the group, honoring the starting and ending times the group has agreed upon
- remind the group of its purpose when it moves off course,
- keep a roster of member names and contact information if the group desires to be part of Triangle Contemplative Outreach, and
- Pass on pertinent information about spiritual opportunities in the Triangle and Contemplative Outreach activities internationally
Preparation to Serve as a Facilitator
It is assumed that a facilitator will be committed to the regular practice of Centering Prayer and have attended an Introductory Workshop (all day Saturday, usually) or the six-week evening sessions.
Beyond that, it is helpful if facilitators have attended the Chapter's orientation for Facilitators.
As the group progresses, it will be helpful if the facilitator has a familiarity with the teaching of Fr. Thomas Keating as found in his books and video tapes. Generally, Open Mind, Open Heart is a very good place to start, followed by Invitation to Love and Intimacy with God. Fr. Carl Arico's book, A Taste of Silence, is also a good overview of the Centering Prayer Practice and its theological underpinnings. These books serve well as the "input" for a group meeting.
It is also helpful if the facilitator has a developing familiarity with the basic workshops and retreats offered by Contemplative Outreach: Introduction to Centering Prayer, The intensive and Post-Intensive Retreat, and Formation for Contemplative Outreach Service.
Resources
Resources may be found on the web site of Contemplative Outreach Ltd. www.centeringprayer.com or www.contemplaltiveoutreach.org
Triangle Contemplative Outreach also has a web site where some resources are listed and books are reviewed.
http://www.saintandrew.org/html/tco.html
If you have any questions, at any time, you can get a response by emailing centeringprayer@saintandrew.org Or by contacting a member of the leadership team.
Triangle Contemplative Outreach Leadership Team
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