CENTERING PRAYER

Centering prayer in Christianity is apophatic in that it is a wordless union, a state of being in direct contact with God, who dwells within us.  Note: “God who dwells within us” is what Vedanta calls the Atman.

It is about intention, about being totally open to God, “not my will, but Your will,” as we consent to the presence and action of God within us.  Note: “Action of God within us” is unlike Vedanta as the Atman does not act.

Centering prayer is an exercise in letting go.  It is laying aside every thought, even that of looking for spiritual consolations.  Both the presence and the absence of God are experienced.

Advocates of centering prayer say it does not replace other prayer in Christianity but encourages silence and deeper connection to God. They say, moreover, that it is not an exercise in concentration, of focusing the attention on a mantra for instance, as in Vedanta.

Rather is it concerned with intention and consent.  The aim of the participant is to be present to the Lord, to consent to God’s presence and guidance during the time of prayer.