Centering Prayer and the 12 Steps

Centering Prayer is a simple method of prayer rooted in ancient Christian practice that opens us to God’s presence and divine healing. For those who practice the 12 Steps of any 12-Step program, striking parallels can be found between the process that Centering Prayer encourages and the process initiated in the practice of the 12 Steps – the process of human transformation.

The way we seek God is through letting go of “self.” The action part of the 12 Steps is an exterior surrender. The 11th Step provides for an interior surrender through prayer and meditation. Since Centering Prayer specifically responds to the “prayer and meditation” language of the 11th Step, it can also deepen our experience of the 12 Step practice.

We believe that Centering Prayer, as a practice, goes even further and, when practiced daily with the 12 Steps, provides a contemplative dimension to the Steps and to life, where the promises are realized.

Centering Prayer is not meant to replace other kinds of prayer, rather it casts new light and depth of meaning on all types of prayer.

About the Retreat

Out respect for our anonymity, attendance at this retreat is limited to those who are in one of the 12-Step programs of recovery. During the retreat you will learn the four simple steps of Centering Prayer, be given an opportunity to practice the prayer, and learn the significance it will have on your daily life and your recovery program. There will be time for reflection, sharing, silence, solitude and 12-Step meetings. A video on “The Contemplative Dimensions of the 12-Steps” featuring Fr. Thomas Keating, the founder of Contemplative Outreach Ltd., will be presented and discussed as to how it applies to our own experiences.

Fr. Thomas is a member of the International Committee for Peace Council, which fosters dialogue among the world religions, and the Snowmass Inter-Religious Conference, a group of teachers from world religions who meet annually to share their experience of the spiritual journey in their respective traditions.

BROCHURES AVAILABLE

For Registration Information please contact:
Nancy Cord-Baran at ncb612@aol.com or 814-237-1002
OR
Roberta Oster at robertaoster@bellsouth.net or 404-299-2670

This directed retreat is a one-on-one experience, based upon the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. A director will guide the reflections of each retreatant by meeting with them each day. The director will assign Scripture passages, specific meditations, and will assist the person in processing their prayer and in discerning the movement of the Holy Spirit. There is time for personal prayer, reflection, and liturgy all within the atmosphere of silence. Directors to be announced.
Brochures available.