Nothing is more beautiful than the uniqueness that God has created. | You don’t have to create the beauty – you’ve got the beauty. | You don’t have to create the freedom – you’ve got it. | You don’t have to create the image of God in you – you have it. | You don’t have to win over God’s love-you have more than you know what to do with.
From “Heartfulness: Transformation in Christ,” Thomas Keating.
“Centering Prayer” Retreat by ‘Contemplative Outreach UK’,
Buckfast Abbey, Feb. 25. To 4th March 2019.
Reflections by Kathie Salter
I am here on this retreat, for a small group, based on the teachings of Fr Thomas Keating. O.C.S.O. The retreat by Contemplative Outreach UK used the teaching of Fr Keating, described in his books, “Open Mind, Open Heart” and “Invitation to Love”.
Fr. Keating based his theory and method of Centering Prayer on the classic spiritual manual, ‘The Cloud of Unknowing’. We were told that the easiest translation into modern English is by Carmen Acevedo Butcher, by Shambala. Obtainable through Amazon.
“The method of Centering Prayer talk 1” by Thomas Keating
This talk gives the basics you need to practise this form of prayer at home.
I have found that the general idea in every retreat has been to get quiet inside, so that God can find me and interact with me, and change me as He wishes, so that I go home much more able to stay close to him as I go about my life, and so to bring His love and peace and joy etc. to others. Each retreat has had long periods of silence to make this possible.
It is a wonderful experience to spend uninterrupted time with God among other people all doing the same thing, away from my normal responsibilities. The accommodation and food at Buckfast were excellent.
This Retreat had videos of instruction and sessions with the group and leader each day, to help us to grow spiritually and to master the method, and many sessions of the practice of Centering Prayer together in silence.
Basically, the method of Centering Prayer involves being quiet, accepting whatever thoughts come, but letting them go by repeating a “sacred word” of our choosing. Not judging ourselves. Opening to “God’s presence and action within us” in silence.
Doing this twice a day over months and years, Fr. Thomas teaches, enables God to bring about real change for the better in our personalities. Fr Keating called it “the Divine Therapy”. This retreat is helping me to get established in the practice and giving me quiet time with God.
Weekend and longer Retreats can be arranged by contacting Elizabeth at infocouk@btinternet.com. If you would like to host an Introductory Day, please contact E.M. Smith at infocouk@btinternet.com
Newsletter Contribution
If you would like to contribute to the Newsletter, tell us how you came to Centering Prayer or write about your group, review a book or write a poem. Please do and send your work to infocouk@btinternet.com marked “Newsletter” and don’t forget to include your name.
Twilight of the Self”
A poem by Thomas Keating.
My heart is solitary now.
It finds no companionship anywhere
And no wish to find any.
My sole desire is You,
And you are always absent.
Can one love absence so intensely
That even your presence
Seems like an intrusion?
I move around in aimless circles.
Rituals and sacred symbols,
Once treasured sources of relating to You,
Are meaningless to me now.
They communicate nothing of You,
Who are everything to me,
But for whom and from whom I feel no love,
Nor hope of fulfilment.
I am as one turned inside out,
And there is nothing there – not You, not me.
If this is union, there is neither two in One,
Nor one without another.
I long to relate to everyone,
Yet lack the capacity to relate to anyone.
There is only Your boundless presence
That treats me like a thing without a heart,
Except perhaps a broken heart.
For the God I thought I knew
No longer exists.
Reprinted here by kind permission of Peter C. Jones
A Rising Tide of Silence LLC | 30745 Pacific Coast Highway | Suite 279 | Malibu | C.A 90265
Ann O’ Donnell
27th July 1933 – 28th March 2019.
It is with sadness that I pass on the news of Ann’s death. Ann was one of the first to join C.O.UK and was very committed and faithful to the practise of Centering Prayer and the teachings of Thomas Keating which supports the practise. Ann’s group met in her house since she started. She was one of the first Co-ordinators having gone through the programmes and training required and set out by Thomas Keating.
I am sure of you will remember Ann for her fund raising efforts for C.O.UK especially the beautiful silver medallions she made of the Logo. As special commissions Ann also did a few in gold. Ann also gave a monthly donation to C.O.UK.
Her funeral was held on Thursday 11th April in Leeds.
Ann will be greatly missed for her talents and her wisdom. I shall miss her for her loyalty and integrity and support throughout the many years. Elizabeth
Can you help C.O.UK?
This Newsletter is the first since last year. In May 2018, as some of you may know, I had a major operation to have a kidney removed because of a cancerous growth on it. This took some time to recover from especially as it came quickly on a previous operation again for cancer in November 2017. Thankfully both operations have been a success and at the moment I am clear of cancer.
This year 2019 I have not done as much as usual. It has made me think in terms of making provisions for C.O.UK to continue when I retire.
Many of the original group that started C.O.UK with me over 30 years ago are now too ill to continue or have died. These generous people all worked as volunteers and gave their time freely.
This is a sad fact. It would be a pity to see the hard work of many silent practitioners come to nothing. If C.O.UK is to continue we need more volunteers and donors. It should be mentioned that Retreat fees only cover costs. This is to keep the price of Retreats as low as possible to enable people to attend. This means nothing remains for C.O.UK.
I am sure many have benefited because of what C.O.UK has offered in the past. What is C.O.UK worth to you? To pray costs nothing but to organise and support does come with a cost. Time is very precious to us all but one person doing everything makes what they can do very limited. We need more generous and willing volunteers
C.O.UK covers a wide area and tries to support those in the North of England, Wales, Scotland and Shetland. It would be great to have more contacts in these areas.
C.O.UK needs those who are willing to train as Presenters, and act as Facilitators. There are many but the labourers are few.
Opportunities
- It would be good to have a booking secretary to co-ordinate the days and retreats etc.
- A treasurer to keep the books and produce yearly accounts which at the moment is not a big job. If you can do a spread sheet you could do it.
- A network person to keep in touch with individuals and groups.
- A Newsletter editor.
- A person to network with the Volunteers
- Perhaps a few who have the time could be on a small informal committee.
Ideally all volunteers should have a regular practise of Centering Prayer for over a year.
If you have a talent which you think may help and the times please get in touch.
If you do not have time to volunteer could you support C.O.UK with a donation no matter how small? Is C.O.UK worth a cup of coffee or two?
If you would like to donate to help continue the work no matter how small please get in touch.
Without your help as a volunteer or a donator C.O.UK will in time disappear.
Do you want C.O.UK to continue? If so please respond by e-mailing infocouk@btinternet.com.
Return to the Basics
Before his death Thomas Keating encouraged all to return to the basics. C.O.UK offers the following Weekend/Day Programmes based on the core teaching by Thomas Keating on the Spiritual Journey. These are the foundations for all the other teachings by Thomas.
If your group is interested in any of these please get in touch by e-mailing infocouk@btinternet.com.
- Introductory Day or Weekend.
An introduction to the method of Centering Prayer. - The False Self.
Looking at the blocks we create to the spiritual life. - The Human Condition.
Understanding ourselves and others. Introduction to the Night of Sense. - The Divine Therapy.
God’s healing touch in the Dark Nights. - Purity of Heart.
The way to happiness. Letting go of the afflictive emotions. - Lectio Divina Weekend.
Going deeper into the Word of God. looking at the Classical and Scholastic ways of praying the Scriptures.Also: - An Introduction to St. John of the Cross.
Looking at the overview of the spiritual journey for to-day using St. John’s Spiritual Canticle.
Dates for your Diary 2019
May 2019
Centering Prayer in Preston.
What is it? How to do it? Is it for you?
Tabor Retreat Centre
Sharoe Green Lane, Preston, PR2 8HE
DATE: Thursday 9th May 2019
TIME: 6pm to 8:30pm
Suggested donation: £5.00 on the night to cover costs.
Presenter: Elizabeth Smith has 36 years experience with this prayer.
June 2019: Weekend Retreat.
That We May be One
DATE: Fri. June 21st, 5pm approx. to after lunch on Sun. June 23rd.
VENNE: Monastery of Our Lady and St.Bernard’s, Stroud
The Retreat continues and builds on the works of Thomas Keating over the past 30 plus years.
• Some of the topics include: The Western and Scriptural Models of Spirituality
• The Self and Evolving Consciousness,
• Christian Non-Duality and Unity Consciousness,
• The Present Moment and All that Is.
Time will be set aside for discussion in small groups on the above topics.
There is a moderate amount of Centering Prayer, Silence and Solitude.
Total cost is £120 per person in single room. A £25 deposit is required to secure a place before 20th May or sooner.
Payment by cheque payable to “Contemplative Outreach UK” or by Bank transfer. For Bank details email infocouk@btinternet.com
October 2019: Weekend Retreat
A Deeper Look at Centering Prayer and how to deepen our relationship with God.
DATE: Fri Oct.11th to Sun. Oct.13th 2019
VENNE: Hyning Hall, Carnforth, Lancs.
A time to reflect and take a deeper look at the Method of Centering Prayer. We will look at the four moments of Centering Prayer and the process it begins. Plus practises which extend the prayer into daily life.
There will be time for Centering Prayer, discussion, silence and solitude.
Total cost is £120 per person in single room. A £25 deposit is required to secure a place.
Payment by cheque payable to “Contemplative Outreach UK” or by Bank transfer. For Bank details email infocouk@btinternet.com
Open Mind; Open Heart
by Thomas Keating
“The root of prayer is interior silence. We may think of prayer as thoughts or feelings expressed in words. But this is only one expression. Deep prayer is the laying aside of thoughts. It is the opening of the mind and heart, body and feelings – our whole being – to God, the Ultimate Mystery.”
Open Mind; Open Heart. by Thomas Keating.
