Information
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Contemplative Outreach Vision and Principles
Vision
Be still and know that I am God.
Psalm 46:10

The intent of Contemplative Outreach is
to foster the process
of transformation in Christ in one another
through the practice of Centering Prayer.
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Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul,
and with all your strength, and with all your mind;
and your neighbor as yourself.
Luke 10:27
Theological Principles
  1. Contemplative Outreach is a network of communities and individuals seeking the inspiration and guidance of the Holy Spirit and to contribute to the renewal of the Christian contemplative tradition through the practice of Centering Prayer.
  2. A commitment to the practice of Centering Prayer is the primary expression of belonging.
  3. The theological foundation of Centering Prayer is the Divine Presence in every member of the human family.
  4. Consenting to the Divine Presence and action within us is the heart and soul of Centering Prayer.
  5. The indwelling Divine Presence affirms our innate core of goodness and is expressed fully in the theology of the Most Holy Trinity.
  6. The Divine action is the healing process of transformation in Christ, enabling us to experience an ever-deepening intimacy with God and the practical caring for others that flows from this relationship.
  7. The conceptual background of Centering Prayer grounds and supports the growing silence and stillness of contemplation.
  8. Listening to the word of God through the practice of Lectio Divina is encouraged, particularly its movement into contemplation which the daily practice of Centering Prayer facilitates.
  9. We believe that the Christian contemplative tradition and its expression in service is the common ground for Christian unity.
  10. While formed by our respective denominations, we are bonded through the experience of Christ in Centering Prayer and in daily life.
  11. We affirm our solidarity with the contemplative dimension of other religions and sacred traditions.
  12. The practice of Centering Prayer deepens our awareness of the oneness of all creation and our compassion for the whole human family.
  13. Following the teaching of Jesus, we endeavor to exercise leadership in a spirit of service, utmost charity, and unity.
  14. The good accomplished through Contemplative Outreach is the gift of the Holy Spirit.

So that they may all be one; just as You, Father, are in me, and I in you, may they also be one in us. John 17:21

Guidelines for Contemplative Outreach Service
  1. Contemplative Outreach is an evolving community with an expanding vision and deepening practice of Centering Prayer, that serves the changing needs of Christian contemplatives.
  2. The integrity of the teaching of the method of Centering Prayer is contained in the Four Guidelines and their conceptual background as described in the Method of Centering Prayer brochure.
  3. We share Centering Prayer by appealing to interior attraction rather than proselytizing.
  4. Those who serve in leadership ordinarily do so in a voluntary capacity. We employ staff and contractors as needed.
  5. All who provide Contemplative Outreach services do so in consideration of their personal, family, and professional responsibilities, which come first.
  6. Contemplative Outreach avoids indebtedness and owning real estate in order to be free to devote all its resources to sharing the gift of Centering Prayer.
  7. We reach decisions through prayerful discernment, aiming toward consensus especially in matters of major importance.
  8. We collaborate with our respective church authorities, but do not seek to become a religious or lay institute.      
  9. To remain accessible to everyone, Contemplative Outreach does not endorse particular causes or take part in public controversies, whether religious, political, or social.  As private individuals, we act according to our conscience.
  10. We maintain a spiritual relationship with St. Benedict’s Monastery in Snowmass, CO.

​Fr. Thomas Keating's commentary on each of these principles can be found on the Contemplative Outreach National site

For Further Study

First reads on Centering Prayer:
  • Keating, Thomas, Open Mind, Open Heart 20th Anniversary Edition, Bloomsbury Publishing Company, 2006
  • Bourgeault, Cynthia,  Centering Prayer and Inner Awakening , Cowley Publications, 2004
  • Keating, Thomas, Invitation to Love, The Way of Christian Contemplation, Element, 1992
  • Keating, Thomas, The Mystery of Christ, The Liturgy as Spiritual Experience, Continuum, 1987

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Deeper follow-ups on Centering Prayer:
  • Frenette, David, The Path Of Centering Prayer Deepening Your Experience of God, Sounds True, 2012
  • Bourgeault, Cynthia,  The Heart of Centering Prayer: Nondual Christianity in Theory and Practice, Shambhala, 2016

Lectio Divina:
  • Tasto, Maria, The transforming power of Lectio Divina, How to Pray with Scripture, 23rd Publications, 2013
  • Hall, Thelma,  Too Deep for Words , Paulist Press, 1988

Excellent descriptive works on Christian Contemplative Prayer going back to its Desert Monastic Foundations:
  • Laird, Martin, Into The Silent Land A Guide to the Christian Practice of Contemplation, Oxford University Press, 2006
  • Laird, Martin, A Sunlit Absence Silence, Awareness and Contemplation, Oxford University Press, 2011

Other Reads on Centering Prayer and Christian Contemplation:
  • Arico, Carl, a TASTE of SILENCE, A Guide to the Fundamentals of Centering Prayer, Continuum, 1999
  • Keating, Thomas, The Human Condition Contemplation and Transformation, The Crossroads Publishing Company, 2009
  • Keating, Thomas, Intimacy with God: An Introduction to Centering Prayer, Paulist Press, 1999
  • Keating, Thomas, The Daily Reader for Contemplative Living, Continuum, 2009
  • Rohr, Richard, The Naked Now Learning to See as the Mystics See, The Crossroads Publishing Company, 2009
  • Rohr, Richard, A Lever and a Place to Stand, Paulist Press, 2011
  • Rohr, Richard, Falling Upward: A Spirituality for the Two Halves of Life, Jossey-Bass, 2011
  • Rohr, Richard, Immortal Diamond: The Search for Our True Self, Jossey-Bass, 2013
  • Rohr, Richard, Yes, And … Daily Meditations, Franciscan Media, 2013
  • Rohr, Richard, Silent Compassion, Franciscan Media, 2014

Video Programs:
  • Keating, Thomas , Arico, Carl , Fitzpatrick-Hopler, Gail,  Centering Prayer Course, Sounds True, 2011

Cynthia Bourgeault offers deeper insights into Centering Prayer

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Released 12/27/2016
The Heart of Centering Prayer: Nondual Christianity in Theory and Practice is a wonderful book for Advanced Centering Practitioners to deepen their understanding of Centering Prayer.  At a time of growing fear and polarization, we desperately need a new way of thinking and being. Centering Prayer is one of the most practical methods for opening our minds and hearts to nondual, heart-centered awareness. Cynthia offers guidance for both beginners and seasoned practitioners as well as some tantalizing glimpses into the windows this practice opens upon Christianity’s well-hidden nondual path. During the live webcast, viewers may submit questions for Cynthia to address as time allows.

Several members of the Contemplative Outreach of Connecticut Chapter Leadership Team are currently reading this outstanding book and we highly recommend it.

Click here for: Cynthia's Recorded Boston College talks on topics from this book.

Richard Rohr's Daily Meditations for the week of February 12 - February 17, 2017 focused on Cynthia's Centering Prayer work. Click here for the Weekly Summary with links to daily insights.
Leadership team resources

Contemplative Outreach of Connecticut

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