BETO: CENTERING PRAYER

Step 1: Choose a sacred word

Step 2: The discipline of doing the practice

Step 3: Other things you need to know about centering prayer

Centering Prayer is a method of silent prayer that prepares us to receive the gift of contemplative prayer. Centering Prayer is not meant to replace other kinds of prayer. It is used for verbal, mental or affective prayer, into a receptive prayer of resting in God. The source of Centering Prayer, as in all methods leading to contemplative prayer, is the Indwelling Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The effects of Centering Prayer are ecclesial, as the prayer tends to build communities of faith and bond the members together in mutual friendship and love.

Felipe Marquez Centering Prayer

Like silence and God, Centering Prayer contains all things and nothing. As a method of

prayer, it is paradoxically simple and powerful. Centered in the heart and in the body,

Centering Prayer has been described as quietly “resting in God,” a rest that begins and ends

in our hearts and which is held together by a simple word, image, or breath. God is central,

not the word, image, or breath. Our aim in Centering Prayer is to open to God’s presence

and action within us through the silence of our own being, to simply let all else pass by

(harder than it sounds!), so that our entire attention is turned toward union with the

Divine in a most holy, negative space of silence.

Ale J: Centering Prayer

Centering Prayer is a way or praying that prepares us to receive God's presence within us in a prayer called Contemplative Prayer. This method of prayer is both a relationship with God and a discipline to foster that relationship. Centering prayer adds depth of meaning to all prayer. This way of praying emphasizes prayer as a more personal relationship with God. To preform Cetering Prayer you sit comfortably with your eyes closed and relax. then you choose a sacred word that best supports your intention to be in God's precense. you let that word be present as a symbol of your sincere interests to have God in you. when you turn to be aware of anything other than prayer you go back to your sacred word. 

Centering Prayer, by Gabriel

Centering prayer is prayer in which you do nothing, not even think.  You have to make your mind blank, and have no thoughts at all.  This prayer requires lots of concentration and practice.  It is used in order to relieve stress, and for whatever reason it is you are praying for.  In my opinion this prayer is really hard to do because there is never really a time when I am doing nothing, not even thinking.  Although, I think this type of prayer is truly great and relaxing once achieved because it is a time when you truly are doing nothing, so your body rests.  This does not even happen during sleep because during sleep you are dreaming, while in centering prayer you are doing nothing.

Centering prayer by Ale R.

Centering prayer is best known as the method used to create a strong emphasis on interior focus and reflection. Some people believe that the roots of centering prayer can trace back to Lectio Divina, but most people believe that Centering prayer came from a catholic movement initiated by Saint Joseph Abbey, and three other catholic Fathers. The practice of centering prayer is very similar to the practice of Lectio Divina. the purpose of centering prayer is to clear the mind in order to focus and try to feel the presence of God. There are 4 main steps to practice centering prayer:

1. Sit comfortably with your eyes closed, relax, and quiet yourself. Be in love and faith to God.
2. Choose a sacred word that best supports your sincere intention to be in the Lord's presence and open to His divine action within you. 
3. Let that word be gently present as your symbol of your sincere intention to be in the Lord's presence and open to His divine action within you.
4. Whenever you become aware of anything (thoughts, feelings, perceptions, images, associations, etc.), simply return to your sacred word, your anchor.

 

JULIO (i did copy paste)

Centering Prayer is a method of silent prayer that prepares us to receive the gift of contemplative prayer, prayer in which we experience God's presence within us, closer than breathing, closer than thinking, closer than consciousness itself. This method of prayer is both a relationship with God and a discipline to foster that relationship.

Centering Prayer is not meant to replace other kinds of prayer. Rather, it adds depth of meaning to all prayer and facilitates the movement from more active modes of prayer — verbal, mental or affective prayer — into a receptive prayer of resting in God. Centering Prayer emphasizes prayer as a personal relationship with God and as a movement beyond conversation with Christ to communion with Him.

The source of Centering Prayer, as in all methods leading to contemplative prayer, is the Indwelling Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The focus of Centering Prayer is the deepening of our relationship with the living Christ. The effects of Centering Prayer are ecclesial, as the prayer tends to build communities of faith and bond the members together in mutual friendship and love.

Gabriel & Ale J: Lent

During Lent we are going to give up unhealthy things and we are not going to use our time playing video games, being with friends, watching TV, and on the computer but rather dedicate it to Christ and to prayer.

Beto and Phill

Lectio Divina is Latin for divine reading, spiritual reading, or "holy reading," and represents a traditional Christian practice of prayer and scriptural reading intended to promote communion with God and to increase in the knowledge of God's Word. It is a way of praying with Scripture that calls one to study, ponder, listen and, finally, pray and even sing and rejoice from God's Word, within the soul.Lectio is typically practiced daily for one continuous hour. A selection from the Holy Scriptures is chosen ahead of time, often as a daily progression through a particular book of the Bible. Lectio Divina has been likened to "Feasting on the Word." The four parts are first taking a bite (Lectio), then chewing on it (Meditatio). Next is the opportunity to savor the essence of it (Oratio). Finally, the Word is digested and made a part of the body (Contemplatio).Prior to reading, it is important to engage in a transitional activity that takes one from the normal state of mind to a more contemplative and prayerful state. A few moments of deep, regular breathing and a short prayer inviting the Holy Spirit to guide the prayer time helps to set the tone and improve the effectiveness of the lectio.

Once the stage is set it is time to begin the prayer. There are four phases of the prayer, which do not necessarily progress in an ordered fashion. One may move between different phases of the prayer very freely as the Holy Spirit guides.

Gabriel and Ale

Lactio Divina is the Latin word for divine reading, or holy reading.  This practice consists of traditional Christian practice of prayer and scriptural reading.  It is meant to increase communion and knowledge with God. It requires intense study and devotion. It also requires lots of time. We think that this is good because we grow closer to God and our communication with him improves. We also learn more about Him through this.

Lectio Divina by Ale R

The meaning of Lectio Divina in English is divine, spiritual, or holy reading. It a traditional Christian practice created so that people could increase their knowledge about God and his word, and to promote Communion. At first the monastic rules of Saint Agustine, Benedict,etc. promoted the practice of divine reading, together with manual labor and participation in liturgical life, the base of monastic life. Lectio Divina is typically practiced daily for one continuous hour. A selection from the Holy Scriptures is chosen ahead of time, often as a daily progression through a particular book from the bible. Time and Place: Selecting a time for lectio divina is important. Typical methods are to pray for one hour in the morning, or to divide it into two half-hour periods, one in the morning and one in the evening. The key is to pre-select the time that will be devoted to the prayer and to keep it. Using the same time every day leads to a daily habit of prayer that becomes highly effective. The place for prayer is to be free from distractions. This means it should be isolated from other people, telephones, visual distractions, etc. Some find an icon to be helpful. The same place should be used for lectio if possible, especially as one first begins to practice it. Familiarity with a location reduces the possibility of distraction away from the prayer. Or, one may wish to pray in an unaccustomed place, for the express purpose of finding a place that will be dedicated to prayer alone and not other daily activities. Some practitioners conduct other devotions, such as praying before the Catholic Eucharist, as a preparation for Lectio Divina. 

Meditation by Ale R.

Meditation has been medically-proven to reduce stress, create calmness and inner peace, and even eliminate or reduce the symptoms of many illnesses. Just for this reason alone, meditation should be a part of a healthy lifestyle. The word meditation has come to have two different meanings: (1) continued, intent, focused thought; and (2) a state of quiet, intentionally unfocused, "content less" awareness. This double meaning has contributed to misunderstanding and disagreement about the nature, role, and even the appropriateness of Christian meditation. Traditionally, the word meditation (meditatio) had the first meaning, and another word, contemplation (contemplatio) was used for the second. Christian Meditation is basically like any other form of meditation used in any other religions, the idea is the same. We should practice meditation no matter our religion, because it is a healthy practice that we can all benefit from.  

Gabriel Ale J and Phill, Christian Meditation

There are many different ways of meditating. You can do it quietly. You can do it with you eyes closed or with your eyes open. You can also do it with music. Meditation helps you reduce stress. it is especially good whenever you are having a bad day. you can meditate as many types as you want a day but its is easier and more effective when you are not busy.