When I first learned Centering Prayer—a prayer of quiet and stillness during which the pray-er consents to the Presence and activity of the Holy One—I recall the instructions about how to deal with distracting thoughts. “Imagine them as clouds floating away as you let them go.” The instruction was accompanied by a hand gesture: up, off, and away, indicating some far-off place. I never found the instruction very helpful.
Prayer is Dappled
Much like when light shines on the branches and leaves of trees in the forest, the life of prayer is also dappled. Naturally, there are spots, patches, and blotches that cause patterns of light and dark to form.
Topics:
Contemplative Practice
Waiting and Expectation
Recently, I spoke with a friend about his process of waiting to be ordained in his tradition. While he expects that it will happen, he does not know when. I reflected how hard it must be to want something, to know it is coming sometime, and yet, not know exactly when it will be actualized. These are some of the dynamics of expectation, of knowing that the vista of “yes” is over the horizon, but not knowing when the sun will rise.
Topics:
Contemplative Practice
