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Let God Do the Heavy Lifting

2/13/2015

2 Comments

 
12 Steps for Centering Prayer
by Mary Lapham


The only "work" we do in Centering Prayer is consent.

I’ve attended so many 12 step meetings where people say they feel bad about how they are "working," or not working, the steps.

This orientation seems to trigger ego (false self), performance, and shame.

There are even people unwilling to sponsor others, because they feel they haven’t done their own program perfectly, or enough, or "right."

I hear a lot of focus on our own "effort" in meetings.

It is my experience, both in recovery and Centering Prayer, that God does all the heavy lifting. God does all the work, and that’s a good thing!

All I CAN do is be humble, open, and willing to consent to God’s Presence and Action within me.

Father Thomas Keating, in his book The Better Part, says:

   The heart of prayer is to recognize the presence and action of God and to consent to it. We
   do not have to go anywhere; God is already with us. Effort refers to the future and to what we
   do not yet have. Consent refers to the present moment and its content. Faith tells us we
   already have God - the divine indwelling.

It was this emphasis and thinking that motivated me to write a version of the 12 Steps from a contemplative perspective.

I have been in recovery 30 years, and practicing Centering Prayer for almost 20. At this point in my journey, I am coming to see how beautifully they work together, and how they might bring about a new level of transformation. As I see it, "restored to sanity" has come to mean freedom (from my false self), clarity, and emotional sobriety. This parallels the transformation into the mind of Christ that Keating describes as the goal of Centering Prayer. We are able to "Act - Not React" - no longer triggered by frustration of our old, familiar programs for happiness: the desires for security/safety, approval/affirmation, and power/control. Both motivation and intention have changed: I no longer have to go through life unconsciously trying to satisfy and pacify my wounded inner child. Instead, knowing I am unconditionally loved, and in constant relationship to the God within, I am free to fulfill the practical responsibilities of everyday life with gladness, and to serve others with love.

As you will see, I am still in process. For some of the steps, I have written several options. I am eager to receive feedback: I would love to know how this strikes you, and what, if anything, fits for you:

1. Admitted (accepted) we were operating out of old, learned programs for happiness, that will never satisfy spiritual hunger. 
1. Admitted our programs for happiness don’t work, and that living out of our false self makes life unmanageable, and makes us self-absorbed and useless to God.
1. Admitted we were looking outside ourselves for happiness, abandoning our True Self, and so, God.

2. Came to believe in our inherent Goodness, and the Divine Indwelling.
2. Came to accept God’s infinite love, by expanding our capacity to receive Him in Centering Prayer.

3. Made the intention to consent to God’s presence and action in every moment, beginning with our regular centering prayer practice every day.
3. Became willing to consent to God’s presence and action by practicing Centering Prayer everyday.

4. Allowed God to take our inventory, and accepted it.
4. Began to see how our old emotional triggers and patterns from childhood block God’s love, and hurt God, self, and others.

5. Came out of isolation to tell our stories: admitted our addictions, denials, defenses and pain to each other. Began to hear new ways to live.

6. Became honest and vulnerable. Expressed our truth, and allowed for emotional unloading.

7. Humbly consented to transformation in Divine time, without comparison or need for rational understanding.

8. Gradually practiced new ways to live God’s love: with compassion and forgiveness for self and others, especially when we fall down and miss the mark.

9. Went back to humbly repair the damage cause by the consequences of living out of our False Self. Accepted (consented) to God’s comfort and guidance.

10. Used the Welcoming Prayer and active prayer sentences to continue to grow in God’s love and acceptance of our own life and humanity, and letting go of the desire to change our thoughts, feelings, situations, others and ourselves.

11. Sought through Centering Prayer and Lectio Divina to expand our capacity to receive God’s love, by consent.

12. Having had a spiritual awakening, we live our lives out of the transformative presence of God’s love, and sharing it with every person we meet.
12. Allowed God to live our lives, to live through us.
12. Continued to take action in our lives, and to share the fruits of the spirit in service to others.

Thanks for reading this. Let me know what you think. It came to me on retreat, and the only thing I know to do is share it.

Mary Lapham volunteers on the board of the Minnesota Chapter of Contemplative Outreach and is in formation to become a Certified Presenter of Centering Prayer. To contact her by email, click here.
2 Comments

True Self/False Self

3/1/2011

 
By Carolyn Young

This Moment, by Carol Wachter

If only for this moment, I will be loved.
Not for what I say or do...but for who I am.
(And not for whom I strive to be but who I was created as.)
Not just the nicely wrapped parts, either. And the parts of me I understand.
But my jagged edges, too, and my bewildered musing about why I do what I do.
If only for this moment, I will be.
Space-filled. Spacious. Aware. Free.

If only for this moment, I will let myself trust and let myself hope.
Not so much because I want to feel happy and optimistic
(or be perceived as being happy and optimistic!)
But because I want to know, in this moment, that I am
Intentionally fashioned and intricately connected.

If only for this moment, I will let wholeness find me.
In my head. In my body. In my heart
In my entire being.

Even in my ‘self’.

◆◆◆

Carol Wachter, a member of a Soul Friends group, a group practicing Centering Prayer wrote this poem after the group spent time reflecting on the concept of the true self and the false self. What is the true self ? Thomas Keating defines it as the image of God in which every one of us is created. When we live out our life in God with intentionality, we think and act from our true self. So what is the false self? We all have a false self. Its creation starts when we are children and things don’t go our way or we are hurt and bruised living in relationships with other imperfect humans. From these disappointments we develop all sorts of defenses which are in automatic drive. Most of the time we are not even aware of them. This false self is amplified by a culture that supports competition, material success, over consumption, divisiveness and fear. It is amazing how well most of us adjust to this life style and go along with it not realizing how little joy it brings us.

For most people who daily practice Centering Prayer and other contemplative prayer forms, life changes. This often happens in ways of which they are not even aware. They grow more confident in God’s love and discover new personal freedoms. No longer do they judge themselves and others from the culture’s viewpoint. The world’s forms of failures loose importance and their own definition changes. Slowly the self-critical spirit erodes. These people of intention become more open to all kinds of people they might not have accepted when responding from the false self. Their God given gifts and uniqueness begin to be discovered. The contemplative qualities of peace, love, joy and others begin dwelling within them.

When someone first starts a daily practice he/she may have doubts and questions about its value. They may be troubled by too many thoughts or the need to be doing something else. Questions arise such as, “Why isn’t something happening?” "Is God really there?" Even though we don’t know it, through this process we are learning to "let go and let God” into daily life. Sadly though, they may convince themselves to give up their practice. It is so hard for us humans to do what is the best for ourselves."

In order to avoid discouragement and doubt that ends a God centered regular practice, it is important to be part of a group where others are sojourning or have traveled the path long enough to know the fruits of the journey. These fellow travelers can offer assistance, reassurance and hope as well as a new kind of friendship. Carol’s poem arose from the experience of sharing with others a deep exploration of a relationship with God. Perhaps, God sets things up this way so that we come together in His name to find out who He is and who we are in our lives together.

Carolyn Young is a trained presenter of Centering Prayer and a member of the Minnesota Contemplative Outreach planning group.

Pilgrimage of the Heart

2/14/2010

 
By Diane Boruff

On Saturday, February 13 over 70 people gathered at Colonial Church in Edina to hear Susan Komis from Contemplative Outreach International present a full day workshop on The Human Condition, The Welcoming Prayer and The Prayer of Forgiveness. Prayer was central to the day as there were 2 sessions of centering prayer in addition to sessions practicing the welcoming prayer and the prayer of forgiveness.

The morning session was devoted to The Human Condition and Divine Therapy as described by Fr. Thomas Keating in his book Invitation to Love. She illustrated out illusions and delusions; how we look for happiness in all the wrong places as well as our lack of awareness of the presence of God in our life. The DIS-ease and suffering of the False Self value system keep us from the happiness that we seek and keep us rooted in fear. Susan spoke of transformation and the desire to know when we have "arrived."

After reviewing the False Self, Susan introduced the three primary steps of letting go that allow us to be open to the process of transformation.

1. Awareness: a peaceful acknowledgement of our self. Ever so gently make friends with your false self.
2. Realization: you are powerless to change the way you are. It is bringing this to God. A regular practice of Centering Prayer or interior process facilitates this.
3. Consent: to allow the Holy Spirit to move and work in our heart and life.

Two means of bringing the gifts of centering prayer into daily life are the welcoming prayer and the prayer of forgiveness. The Welcoming Prayer deals with the wounds of the false self. It is a method that helps forestall the false self on a daily basis. Vilkommen can translate as come and make welcome. This prayer engages the body, mind and spirit as we focus, feel and welcome the divine indwelling by letting go. “Welcome. I let go of the desire for security, affection, and control. Welcome, I let go of the desire to change this feeling/sensation.” This prayer deals with the reality of what is happening now. The Prayer of Forgiveness is a guided meditation that allows a letting go of wounds and hurts from the past. Forgiveness is the name of love in a wounded world. Both of these prayers, as does centering prayer, have a simple format but are life-changing when practiced.

For me the day was energizing, inspiring, and challenging. My heart sings in joy with the gift of praying with so many people. The challenge of being faithful to the practice of centering prayer and extending it into daily life seems easier when supported by friends. The lovely setting and the wonderful hospitality at Colonial Church allowed us to relax and listen with open hearts. I am grateful for Susan’s presence and teaching and for all of you who shared in this beautiful and meaningful day of prayer and enrichment.

Diane Boruff is a presenter of Centering Prayer and a member of the Minnesota Contemplative Outreach Leadership Team.

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    MN Contemplative Outreach publishes articles written by, and for, practitioners.  They are designed to deepen understanding of the Centering Prayer Practice and its power to change lives.

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