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Centering Prayer groups are most often formed by participants at an Introduction to Centering Prayer program. Others may join the group as they hear about Centering Prayer. The group may offer their first experience of Centering Prayer and chance to share the Christian contemplative journey.
Groups meet at various times and locations throughout the Chicagoland area on a weekly or bi-weekly basis to support one another in the practice of Centering Prayer. The primary purpose of a Centering Prayer group is to support members' commitment to a regular practice of Centering Prayer.
Meetings usually include one or more periods of Centering Prayer, some form of formational "input" (DVD/video, book excerpt, article) and time for sharing experiences, observations and questions.
"While centering prayer is done privately most of the time, a weekly sharing of the experience in a small group (up to fifteen) has proven to be very supportive, as well as a means of continuing contemplative education. The weekly meeting also serves as a means of accountability. Just knowing that one's group is meeting together each week is an enormous encouragement to keep praying and an invitation to return to the practice of centering prayer if circumstances such as illness, business, family problems, or urgent duties have prevented one from carrying out one's commitment to daily practice for a time.
By sharing the experience of centering prayer with others, one's own discernment of the ups and downs of the practice is sharpened. The group not only serves as a source of encouragement but also can normally solve problems that arise regarding the method (of centering prayer). The collective discernment of the group tends to be well balanced."
Open Mind, Open Heart (2006 edition), page 173.
To see a list of all centering prayer groups within a certain geographic area, please select one from the drop-down menu:
Don't see a Centering Prayer group that is convenient for you? Perhaps you should start one of your own! For more information on how to do that, please contact Phil Jackson at phil@centeringprayerchicago.org.
Guidelines for Sharing in a Centering Prayer support group:
To read the suggested guidelines for sharing in small Centering Prayer groups, click here.
CLICK HERE for "Vision Statement and Theological Principles of Contemplative Outreach."
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