In your Light,
I see only Light.
— Psalm 36

In the back of Open Mind, Open Heart, the seminal book by Father Thomas Keating (1923 - 2018) published in 1986, he lists 42 guidelines which he described as a "tentative effort to restate the Christian spiritual journey in contemporary terms [and] provide a conceptual background for the practice of Centering Prayer." He also advised that they be read in the manner of Lectio Divina — in other words, not as information, but as prayer for revelation and inspiration from the Holy Spirit, and as a call to embodiment in daily life.

In the years since these were published, much evolved in the thinking and teaching of Thomas Keating and in the lived experience of the worldwide Centering Prayer community. The intention of this course is to ponder and pray these guidelines together from a contemporary perspective.

During this journey, originally designed for the season of Lent but meaningful at any time of year, you can expect:

  • An email for each of 46 sessions, scheduled with a start date you choose and at a pace that works for you.
  • Each email will include an image, Scripture passage, one or more of the 42 guidelines, a brief commentary, and a practice suggestion.
  • Every seventh email (originally, these were the Sunday emails) will offer a review of the past segment and an image to contemplate.
  • An invitation to reflect in a personal journal on what you are discovering.
  • An invitation to take part in a Zoom-enabled meditation chapel.

This course is presented by Pamela Begeman, Mary Anne Best and Julie Saad, Contemplative Outreach facilitators. Partial scholarships are available from Contemplative Outreach by filling out this online form.

(6 CEHs for Chaplains available.)

Available On-Demand
(choose your own start date and frequency)

$65.00

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