Turning to the Mystics with James Finley A Coaching Session on Centering Prayer
May 9, 2022
The hosts delve into the transformative practice of Centering Prayer and its roots in The Cloud of Unknowing. They discuss how distractions during meditation reveal deeper awareness and the importance of patience when facing frustration. A moving story about a dying sister inspires a commitment to embody love. The conversation highlights how physical discomfort can arise during practice and how it's tied to stored emotions. Finally, they explore the connection between ordinary life and spiritual growth, reminding listeners that progress unfolds gradually.
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Prayer As A Stance Of Vulnerable Receptivity
- The practice aims to establish a stance of vulnerable, self-donating love receptive to God's abiding presence.
- Jim emphasizes intention, patience, humility, and using a sacred word to reground attention when distracted.
Practice Steps For Centering Prayer
- Sit in a quiet place, recall the stirring, turn interiorly to that place, and give yourself in a self-donating act of love.
- Use a single word or phrase to reground yourself whenever thoughts or memories carry you away.
Hospital Vigil That Sparked A Vocation
- Kirsten describes a hospital vigil when her sister-in-law died and she felt God and Meg say, "I'm not leaving until you've put enough love in her heart for my son."
- That moment compelled her to commit to being a continual flow of that love for Will.
