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Why I Center
 Sunflower Symbolism
Stories of Faith in Real Lives
This page is intended to represent the many individual spiritual journeys taking place across the Triangle. Though the great spiritual writers remind us that each journey is unique as the soul is unique, they also tell us that the journeys we take have similar points that can be an inspiration to others. In the spirit of faith sharing, we present these personal accounts.
If you have a personal account of what centering has meant to you or of an experience that particularly touched your group, please share it with us. Send to judi_gaitens@bellsouth.net or call 919-469-3895.
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A Grandfather's Story, Told in a Centering Prayer Group
Bill Peters, St. Andrew Parish
It was during the last chapter of Esther De Waal's Seeking God that our conversation turned to Spiritual Attentiveness that warm summer night. Our Centering Prayer group had been reading De Waal's book and were trying to explain our individual attempts at being aware of God in our daily lives, of practicing the presence of God. Given that the awareness begins with openness and that openness is difficult to describe, as is our experience of the presence of God, we were wandering around the topic a bit. One of our members, Bill, said he had a grandfather story to tell. He quickly had our attention. This is my retelling of his story.
"I was watching my grandson Kyle the other day. He's not quite two years old and he loves trucks. He has quite a collection of matchbox cars and trucks. He was getting ready for a nap and was arranging his cars among his pillows. He took great care with each car or truck and they all had to be arranged just so before he could rest. It warmed my heart to watch him.
But the best part was when he woke. He likes to awaken gradually, just cuddling in my arms. He just quietly rests on my lap, my arms around him and lets the world slowly reclaim him from sleep, safe in Grandpa's arms. I smile and hold him and love him, just enjoying his presence. And he smiles and loves me back.
It occurred to me one day that our relationship to God is somewhat like that. We arrange the "trucks" of our lives, our activities and projects with great care, being very busy about many things before we finally come to rest in God. And God really doesn't care about our trucks, our projects. All he wants is for us to rest in him. He wants us to realize he loves us and love him back, unconditionally.
I think about that often when getting ready to do Centering Prayer. And sometimes that's my sacred word, the image of God with his arms around me, holding me gently, loving me, unconditionally."
As Bill completed his story, he had captured everyone in the room. Heads started nodding, voices agreed, "Yes, yes." It was a great metaphor and keeps coming back in our discussions as a way to explain what we mean by resting in God.
That was a special moment for our group, one of many we have shared over the years. But the best part is that I know such moments occur in every Centering Prayer group, moments of insight, of caring, of heartfelt compassion, of gratitude that God has drawn us all together. In those moments we savor the presence of God, living our ordinary lives, as Father Keating would say, with extraordinary love.
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My Centering Journey
By Michelle Rose, St. Andrew Parish
"Be Still and Know that I am God." This is the essence of Centering Prayer, to lovingly surrender oneself to the Almighty dwelling within. This repeated practice helps one to become like our Blessed Mother and to be ready to answer God's call as well as patiently wait for God to work within. This readiness and patience do not happen overnight. Ideally Centering Prayer is done twice a day for 20 minutes each time. Slowly God removes preconceived notions and misguided thoughts. Through this process one becomes the person God originally designed .
My practice of Centering Prayer took 20 years just to begin! I heard about Centering Prayer in college. The idea of some peace and quiet in my hectic life was appealing. I equated Centering Prayer with meditation. I have since learned that there are similarities, but Centering Prayer is a relationship with God based on Monastic tradition. During my time at St. Andrew's I had heard of the Centering Prayer group, but had no clear idea what it was all about. I was brave enough to call once or twice and get more info, but too daunted by being quiet for 20 minutes to join. Then Fr. Thomas Keating, the leader of the Centering Prayer movement, came to speak at St. Francis in 2001. I was thoroughly fascinated by what he had to say and the diverse religious traditions that were represented. After this seminar I felt called to join the Centering Prayer group, but my Monday nights were already scheduled. In Spring of 2002, my commitment ended and I immediately started Centering Prayer.
My desire to use this practice is first and foremost a response to God's call for a deeper relationship. God is the initiator, and I am the follower. Secondly, my most profound spiritual moments had come from reflective or meditative prayer experiences. I wanted more of these experiences. I quickly learned I had to let go of all expectations of what each prayer session will be like. If I have a spiritual union or high, it is a gift from God and not a reflection of my goodness.
I have been practicing Centering Prayer for over a year now. The Centering Prayer group at St. Andrew's is my primary faith community. We pray in silence for 20 minutes, read or watch a video by one of the contemplative masters (usually Fr. Keating) and then have faith sharing. I have learned much about myself and why I am the way I am. This group is a true blessing in my life.
I can also say that the practice of Centering Prayer has changed me. Most of the changes have come as surprises. Of course, I had ideas on what God should correct first. Since I was distracted by my own agenda, God could work on other parts of me unaided. One of the surprise changes was not caring what the house looked like when my family came to visit. This is a first and eliminated a lot of stress! Now I am able to get rid of some of my music collection. My music collection has been a sacred cow since my preteen years!
One article cannot begin to explain Centering Prayer or an individual's faith journey. If this article has piqued your interest, please join us. You can join at any time. We gather 7-9 PM on Monday nights in the CARE center. Contact Judi Gaitens at 469-3895 for more info.
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New Friends for the Journey--from Quarterly Days of Prayer
Excerpted from the Triangle Contemplative Outreach News, Summer 2003
Every Quarterly Morning of Prayer offered by Triangle Contemplative Outreach is a celebration of diversity and variety: a variety of faith traditions represented, areas of the Triangle from which people are drawn, the personal prayer habits and temperaments of participants, and the experience (or lack of it) with centering prayer. The March Quarterly was a good example of that variety, even in the new people who attended. Two women from the Triangle area came for the first time, both drawn by an article in local newspapers, both newcomers agreed to share their stories.
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Josephine (Josie) Rondone is no stranger to the idea of contemplation. Her bookshelves, housing an extensive collection of contemplative works, have many well-thumbed volumes of Thomas Merton. The books and her knowledge of contemplation result from a Catholic high school and college education, under the Religious of the Sacred Heart. Part of her education was a regular time in chapel, encouraging individuals to use whatever method suited them to find the God within.
Josie learned what the term "Centering Prayer" means from the newspaper feature, and was intrigued by the Triangle Contemplative Outreach network. Her own Durham parish has three Centering Groups, and of course, Contemplative Outreach Ltd. fosters centering prayer worldwide. The journey Josie began in the quiet chapels of her youth has brought her to centering and Thomas Keating. Now Fr. Keating's books have expanded her collection, and his books sit on her shelves, companions to those of Merton. In Josie's own life, she finds it essential to schedule a regular, quiet prayer time. She believes Contemplative Outreach is an important organization for helping people learn the "how to." Josie enjoyed meeting people at the quarterly, and hopes to see us again.
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Lisa Wachter-Harris had been thinking about developing a meditation practice. Specifically interested in the Christian tradition of meditation, she was intrigued when she saw a recent article about centering in the Raleigh News and Observer. The article, about centering groups in Miami, was shortly followed by John Kelsey's Letter to the Editor detailing centering contacts and activities in the Triangle, including the December morning of prayer at Holy Cross Church. They prompted Lisa to take trip from Wake Forest, where she lives, to Durham.
Though the media gave Lisa practical information about Centering actitivies, she had glimpsed her path long before that. As Lisa says, "sometimes God speaks to us in coincidences or subtle hints." One Sunday while worshipping at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, she opened the prayer book and came upon Matt 6:6--"When you pray, go to your inner room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret." Two days later, in her regular devotional, Lisa again found Matt 6:6.
When she saw the article and letter in the N & O, Lisa was convinced God wanted her to try this prayer form. She came to centering out of curiosity and found it a calming, peaceful experience. Since the quarterly meeting Lisa has continued to practice centering prayer. As the mother of two young children and a school counselor, she admits that "finding time is tricky." But she perseveres, partly because though traditional prayer is "self-focused, centering prayer is God-focused." Lisa feels that in centering she is listening to God rather than pleading with him. Most of all, the peace remains afterward.
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