centering prayer Archives - A Sacred Journey

S2:E3 | Mysticism with Amos Smith

The 13th Century Christian mystic Meister Eckhart declared, “I pray God to rid me of God.”

Eckhart, however, wasn’t throwing in the towel on his spiritual journey. Instead, his desire was to be rid of his own limited notions of God to make room for the true Mystery that is the Divine. This is the beginning of the mystical journey, and today author and minister Amos Smith shares with us his insights on the mystical path and how it is an everyday journey that can lead to both inner and outer transformation.

Silence, solitude, stillness—these postures are tools for the pilgrim and markers of the Contemplative Path.

Rich Lewis of silenceteaches.com has been entering silence daily for years through the practice of Centering Prayer and believes that silence can teach us both more of ourselves and of God. In today’s conversation, we talk about contemplation and the Contemplative Path and explore how the silence experienced in Centering Prayer can make the practice so transformative.

We’re one week into the season of Lent.

Have you been praying with us? Each week during Lent we’re exploring a different type of contemplative prayer together as a community. It’s called 40 Days to Pray , and every Wednesday on the blog I’m sharing background information on a type of contemplative prayer as well as steps to practice and resources to go further. Some of these prayers are new and others are ancient, but one thing is certain: they’ll bring you closer to the heart of God.

Last week we welcomed in the season and all that comes with it with Welcoming Prayer, and I shared some of my experience on Instagram. Welcoming Prayer offers a great entry point to other types of prayer, “clearing the space” so to speak and inviting us into the present moment so we can encounter God. It’s also a practice of the pilgrim, teaching us to welcome the stranger or “other” in the world by first cultivating a practice of welcoming the stranger within.

The 40 days of Lent mirror the 40 days of Jesus’ fasting in the wilderness, and I can imagine Jesus practicing a form of Welcoming Prayer during that trying season—welcoming the hunger, discomfort, and resistance into the presence of God and allowing them to become teachers. Can you, too? In this way, it’s not simply a prayer practice to engage in once a day, but rather a tool at the ready when we need it most and a reminder that all is welcome in the presence of God.

This week we turn to Centering Prayer—another practice with roots in the Contemplative Outreach community and one that has been near and dear to me for many years now. (Read about my own practice here.) Will you join me this week in the silence?

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With our phones being the one thing we most often have on hand these days, it’s no surprise that there’s an app for everything, including tools to promote spiritual practice.

I know, I know—I’m a lover of the tangible, too, and the physical practices of highlighting the pages of an inspirational book or ringing a singing bowl at the beginning of a time of prayer can’t be beat. However, in the active world in which we live, I’ve come to discover that many days I’m more likely to engage in spiritual practices when I have everything at my fingertips (read: phone), especially when I’m on the go.

Here are my favorite apps to enhance your spiritual practice, whether you’re curled up in your favorite chair or on your daily commute. The good news? They’re all free!

Even though it’s just in the 60s here in Seattle, I’m officially two weeks into my summer sabbatical.

And while I’m taking a break from blogging and social media through August, I had to chime in to let you know that our latest episode of the Sacred Ordinary Days Podcast is available for your listening pleasure! (Technically it’s been up for a week, but you know, sabbatical.)

This episode is really special because not only are we “sending” you into the season ahead—Ordinary Time, which just so happens to be the longest season of the year—we also recorded this episode in the same room! After we wrapped up the Sacred Ordinary Days Retreat in Waco, TX, at the end of May, we sat down together at Jenn’s dining room table, tea in hand, and after an enriching weekend with other members of the Sacred Ordinary Days tribe we couldn’t help but reflect on those who have joined us on our journeys.

In the season ahead, we want to invite you to do the same, too. Listen/download below or through iTunes or your favorite podcast app, and catch up on past episodes here. And if you like what you hear, would you mind sharing it with a friend and leaving a review? Jenn is giving away a free Sacred Ordinary Days Liturgical Day Planner (academic edition) once we reach 50, 75, and 100 reviews! Here’s how.

Which pilgrim path are you on?

Click on a path below to find your direction and discover practices to guide you along the way.
the pilgrim at home

the pilgrim abroad

S2:E3 | Mysticism with Amos Smith

The 13th Century Christian mystic Meister Eckhart declared, “I pray God to rid me of God.”

Pilgrim Podcast 08: Silence + The Contemplative Path with Rich Lewis

Silence, solitude, stillness—these postures are tools for the pilgrim and markers of the Contemplative Path.

How to Practice Centering Prayer

We’re one week into the season of Lent.

My Favorite Apps for Spiritual Practice

With our phones being the one thing we most often have on hand these days, it’s no surprise that there’s an app for everything, including tools to promote spiritual practice.

Sacred Ordinary Days Podcast, S1|E14: Sending + Travel Companions

Even though it’s just in the 60s here in Seattle, I’m officially two weeks into my summer sabbatical.

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