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"The Transfiguration" by Armando Alemdar

 

Centering Prayer News  ~  August 2020


Heart of Texas Contemplative Outreach (HoTCO) is the local chapter of Contemplative Outreach, a spiritual network of individuals and small faith communities committed to living the contemplative dimension of the Gospel, primarily expressed through a commitment to a daily Centering Prayer practice.
 

 

"What our group is discovering in this time is that we are all having to “let go” of our normal—whatever that looks like--which is scary and freeing at the same time.  As we peel off those many layers of habitual action, thinking and responding, we feel a little raw and very vulnerable.  Knowing there are others sharing this journey with us is comforting."

Betsy Aylin, All Saints Episcopal Church 

 

What draws you to Centering Prayer?  A hope for peace?  A need for silence? A desire to enrich and deepen your sense of connection to the Divine?  A desire to escape the noise and business of the world?  A way to hear you own deepest thoughts?  Or something else?  For me, it was something else—Thomas Keating.  About 1996, I signed up for an event in Houston featuring Fr. Thomas Keating whom I knew nothing about except what was on the poster advertising the event.  When Fr. Keating first came out and sat down, I thought—this man is so old and fragile, he won’t have anything to say that will be meaningful to me.  Boy, was I wrong!  By the end of the hour, I was fully engaged and committed to try this practice of Centering Prayer as a path to a deeper spiritual life and freer self.  But I know myself, and my challenges in disciplinary commitments.  So, to help me (yes, it was all about me), I got an agreement from our church to start a group that would explore and practice centering prayer for the six weeks of Lent.  I decided from the beginning that I wouldn’t worry about the number who showed up—which in the past had been a mark of success for me.  In that first offering, 12 people showed up.  They came for various reasons, but the practice became very meaningful to all of us.

Fast forward 20 some years later, and that group is still going.  Several of the original members are still in the group, others have come and stayed, and still others will come for awhile, get what they need, and then move on.  The group includes women and men from our congregation, from other denominations, a Buddhist, and some who have no religious association at all.  But all are wise, open, and willing to explore this contemplative journey with open minds and hearts and support each other on this path. 

Our meetings vary, except that they always begin with a period of centering prayer.  Sometimes we read a book together.  We have read everything from spiritual classics like Theresa of Avila’s Interior Castle to books by Thomas Keating, Cynthia Bourgeault and Richard Rohr as well as books on personal spiritual development such as the Enneagram. Sometimes, we read and discuss short readings, such as one of Rohr’s daily readings as our discussion focus.  To create variety, we also view videos or video-segments including Keating, Pema Chödrön (Buddhist monk), and many others. During Lent and Advent, we often take a more contemplative turn, starting in silence with two periods of centering prayer and a short handout to take home.  No discussion or check in at those meetings.  Our meetings always conclude with an invitation for intercessions (prayer requests) and thanksgivings and then the Lord’s Prayer.

Ah, but now…. things are different.  Since March, our gatherings have been held virtually using the Zoom platform.  I have been on a steep learning curve that seems never to end.  I was sure on-line gatherings would be greatly diminished from in-person meetings.  That has turned out to not be the case.  While there are limitations with on-line meetings (harder for conversation to flow freely, initial learning to use the technology, no hugs, etc.), there are also benefits.  Our group has grown by more than 50% and now includes people in other parts of Austin as well as a new member from out of state.  Each of these new members has brought their own interesting perspective and wisdom and enriched our group.  Because people do not have to drive to meetings, there is more consistent participation. 

I think continuing Centering Prayer gatherings has been very important to all of us during this difficult time of COVID and social unrest.  It has given us a sense of connection and stability that helps us to remember what is really important.  Early on during the shut-down, we looked at Richard Rohr’s series (including other writers) on “liminality”—a time in-between what has been and an undefined future.  That framework helped us to see the potential richness of this between-time and to accept it with less anxiety than we might otherwise feel.  Our shared practice of centering prayer, along with other practices, helps to keep us from getting lost in the hubbub of our minds and our world.  Through our group and practice, we can be open to the pain of the world at this moment in time while being deeply settled in the love of God that is at the root of everything. 

Keating and Bourgeault talk about Centering Prayer as a practice within the “apophatic” aspect of the spiritual journey.  I love that word—apophatic-- for some perverse reason.  It suggests a spiritual dimension of letting go.  In the centering prayer practice, we are constantly letting go of thoughts, feelings, and sensations.  And in the spiritual journey, we are called to let go of those things that stand in the way of living out our true self and living in awareness of our grounding in the loving, trustworthy spirit that we call God.  What our group is discovering in this time is that we are all having to “let go” of our normal—whatever that looks like--which is scary and freeing at the same time.  As we peel off those many layers of habitual action, thinking and responding, we feel a little raw and very vulnerable.  Knowing there are others sharing this journey with us is comforting.  We are inspired by their wisdom and comforted by their presence—even virtual presence.  Our shared practice has been a gift during this unsettling time.  We would love to have you join us.

Betsy Aylin
All Saints Episcopal Church
Austin, TX 



 


During the current pandemic, our contemplative community has needed to shift its efforts from in-person events to virtual ones.  The HoTCO chapter will focus on publicizing these virtual events both in the newsletter and on our website for the time being.  Please help keep us informed of your virtual gatherings and we will be happy to post them.  Now more than ever, we need to both embrace our Centering Prayer practice and stay connected to our community.  Thanks for your help!

HoTCO Newsletter:  Jan Reed and Kristi Michener
HoTCO Website:  Dan Michener
 


"The Great Reality Deep Within" 
12-Step Zoom Weekend Retreat

Friday, August 14 to Sunday, August 16

This retreat is for those in 12-Step recovery who have a desire to learn a method of meditation and companion practices, as well as for experienced meditators who wish to deepen their established practices. Registration due by August 7th.

Read more and register
 here.


 


Joining a Zoom Meeting


You must first download the free Zoom app at Zoom.us.  Once you have the app, you can click on the Zoom link on your computer to join a meeting.  When you enter a Zoom meeting, first locate the video and microphone icons to make sure they are on.  You may also click on the gallery grid to see all the participants in the meeting.  You should mute your microphone during the Centering Prayer period.

For more information about joining or hosting a Zoom group, please visit this link.

 




The Church of Conscious Harmony services, retreats and workshops are all being offered virtually on Zoom and can be found here



A Virtual 1-Day Centering Prayer Retreat- August 8,  9am-3pm.  This retreat is being offered through Zoom.  Please register through this link:  REGISTER or call the office at 512-347-9673, and you will receive instructions and the Zoom meeting number. This retreat is being offered for free.

A Virtual 4-Day Centering Prayer Retreat - Vestibules to the Practice of Centering Prayer:  The Five Dimensional Approach with Jim Reale - September 11-14
Weaving movement, breath, and chant with Centering Prayer as the pinnacle, this retreat will create a contemplative tapestry of profound calm to enrich, deepen, and ground our experience on multiple levels. This will take place along with numerous periods of prayer each day.
 
Participants will be emailed instructional handouts to enable you to continue with these vestibules at home.  Please register here or call the church office at 512-347-9673.
 
Jim has been teaching contemplative practice for over 20 years. He created The Five Dimensional Approach to prayer incorporating movement, breath, and chant. He has taught at conferences with Fr. Thomas Keating and Fr. Richard Rohr.

A Virtual 1-Day Centering Prayer Retreat- September 26,  9am-3pm.  This retreat is being offered through Zoom.  Please register through this link: 
 Please call the office at 512-347-9673 to register, and you will receive instructions and the Zoom meeting number. This retreat is being offered for free.

A Virtual Introduction to Centering Prayer Workshop - September 26, 10am - Noon
**With option to join the 1-Day retreat in the afternoon 1-3pm.
Please call the office at 512-347-9673 to register, and you will receive instructions and the Zoom meeting number. This retreat is being offered for free.

 

Centering Prayer Services at Church of Conscious Harmony on Zoom:  


Sundays, 10 AM and Wednesdays, 6:30 PM
Zoom meeting link: https://zoom.us/j/254442699

Sundays, 8 AM Lectio Divina Service
Zoom meeting link:   https://zoom.us/j/4909914302

Daily Centering Prayer Services, 7 AM
Zoom meeting ID:  490-991-4302

**If a password is required for these Zoom meetings, the password is:  CCH
 


All Saints Episcopal Church Centering Prayer Group


These Centering Prayer Groups will be holding virtual meetings on social media: 
 

University United Methodist Church - Sundays, 9:45 AM
Zoom meeting link:  https://us04web.zoom.us/j/598379558?pwd=cGNodk5JVjIvM0dCUUdqZjVnRG00QT09
Leader:  Jan Reed

All Saints Episcopal Church - Sundays, 4:30-6 PM 
Zoom meeting link:  https://zoom.us/j/406974457?pwd=cXYxUjZpekszeVJjR1hScUpYUWdzQT09
Leader:  Betsy Aylin

Lake Travis Area Centering Prayer - Mondays, 7-8 PM
Zoom meeting link 

Leader:  Marcia Dilly

Cedar Park United Methodist Church - Mondays, 7:30 PM
Zoom Meeting ID #199-984-027
Password 094478

Leader:  Steve Hamman

St. Michael's Episcopal Church - Tuesdays, 6:30 PM
Zoom meeting link:
  https://zoom.us/j/158321072
Leader:  Phyllis Blees

First United Methodist Church, Boerne, TX - Wednesdays, 4:55-6:30 PM
Zoom Meeting ID # 940 062 4582
Password Russ8555

Leader:  Jenny Russell



 



 

HoTCO’s Mission is to support individuals and groups in our area who want to deepen their relationship with God through the practice of Centering Prayer. This Newsletter encourages the spirit of a larger contemplative community by communicating and promoting activities that serve this mission.  Visit the HoTCO website for information on contemplative services, prayer groups, introductory workshops, retreats, and events.  Connect with the HoTCO Facebook page or the HoTCO MeetUp page.
 
Centering Prayer Resources:  HoTCO has resources for prayer groups, such as the 28 DVD set of The Spiritual Journey with Fr. Thomas Keating, a collection of appropriate books to sell at workshops and retreats, and trained presenters willing to conduct a seven-week course on The Introduction to Centering Prayer.  For more information, please contact Chapter Co-Coordinators, Kristi Michener or Lynne Roy.
 


If your church or organization has information on contemplative activities that are appropriate for the newsletter, please submit information to jjllreed@sbcglobal.net.  If you would like to be more involved with HoTCO, please consider attending a quarterly membership meeting.
 
Copyright © 2020 Heart of Texas Chapter - Contemplative Outreach, Ltd.