Centering Prayer, one of the two core teachings emphasized at CCH. It is designed to give us a direct experience of God's presence and action in our life.

What is Centering Prayer?

Prayer is our relationship to God.  Centering Prayer is a method of exercising this relationship - it provides access to deep forms of prayer known in the tradition as contemplation or contemplative prayer.  This prayer may be described as silent communion with God.  It is the core practice for spiritual growth and transformation.  

We may think of prayer as thoughts or feelings expressed in words. But this is only one expression. Centering Prayer is the opening of mind and heart - our whole being - to God, the Ultimate Mystery, beyond thoughts, words and emotions. We open our awareness to God whom we know by faith is within us, closer than breathing, closer than thinking, closer than choosing - closer than consciousness itself. Centering Prayer is a process of interior purification leading, if we consent, to divine union.  

Centering Prayer is not meant to replace other kinds of prayer; it simply puts other kinds of prayer into a new and fuller perspective. During the time of prayer we consent to God's presence and action within, while at other times our attention moves outward to discover God's presence everywhere.

The foundational book describing the practice, fruits and experience of Centering Prayer is Fr. Thomas Keating's Open Mind, Open Heart.

Introduction to Centering Prayer course

For persons beginning a prayer practice and desiring a deeper relationship with God, we offer the Introduction to Centering Prayer course four times per year.  The course consists of:

A six-hour workshop.  This workshop includes four talks that introduce the method of Centering Prayer.  Centering Prayer practice sessions are also included.

Six weekly meetings.  Each ninety-minute meeting includes a Fr. Keating video and a Centering Prayer session.  Both the videos and the prayer sessions are instrumental in establishing a prayer practice.

Commitment to this seven-week course is also an experience in community.  In addition to deepening our prayer life, relationships to each other are deepened.  We support each other in learning and growing.  Therefore, signing up for this seven-week course is not only a commitment to one's own growth in God but is also a commitment to community.

When:  Dates for upcoming courses and retreats can be located on our Calendar page.

Centering Prayer Support Groups

The Centering Prayer support group meets weekly to strengthen and clarify Centering Prayer practices.  If you are establishing a Centering Prayer practice, you're welcome to share in this "mini-retreat."  The sixty to ninety-minute gathering is structured as follows:

Short reading from Open Mind, Open Heart
Twenty minutes of Centering Prayer
Brief meditative walk
Twenty minutes of Centering Prayer
The Lord's Prayer
Short reading from Open Mind, Open Heart
Brief period of sharing
Closing prayer

When:  Verify the weekly meeting date & time by visiting our Calendar page.

Centering Prayer Retreats

Centering Prayer retreats are the perfect way to take some time apart from the world, rest in the silence and deepen your relationship with God.  The Church of Conscious Harmony through Contemplative Outreach, hosts half-day, one-day, two-day, five-day, six-day, seven-day and ten-day retreats throughout the year.  

When:  Date and location information can be found in the "Centering Prayer: Retreats & Workshops" section of our Calendar page.

Logistics:  People registered for a retreat will receive a packet in the mail a few weeks prior to the start of the retreat.  The packet contains driving directions, information on what to pack, a description of the Centering Prayer periods, etc.  Some of this information is provided below for retreatant's convenience.

Driving Directions to Cedarbrake Retreat Center
Facility & Misc On-Site Logistics
Centering Prayer Periods
Volunteers Needed During the Retreat (non-staff)
Grand Silence on Retreats

Theosis Chapel - A chapel created specifically for Centering Prayer

Theosis ('divination of man') Chapel is located underneath the Sanctuary. It was constructed in 2007 and has space for approximately 30 people, for use with Centering Prayer. The chapel features strawbale wall and seating construction with plaster on the inside and stucco on the outside. The doors are secured with push button combination locks for 24/7 secure access to the CCH community.

Inside Theosis Chapel are two hand written icons, commissioned by the Church and completed in 2008. For more information about the meaning, history and use of the icons select the following links:

Theosis Chapel Icons - Artist Statement part 1.

Theosis Chapel Icons - Artist Statement part 2.

Theosis Chapel Icons - Artist Statement part 3.