posted 03-17-2003 02:36 PM            

I am sure there are various techniques to help us center but the most common is similar to the buddhist use of the 'Om' chant, a word is chosen and repeated as thoughts creep into our conscious as we try to center ourselves. (In my church we distinguish between meditation and contemplation, where 'meditation' is an active way of praying and understanding the bible by placing oneself in the scene itself; this is very good and effective but different than 'contemplation'. But others may not have this distinction.) Obviously my few paragraphs of explanation can't do the subject justice so I would suggest finding books on 'centering' or 'contemplation' or 'meditation'.

This centering prayer is extremely powerful and taps into the deepest reaches of our soul and subconscious. As with anything it takes time, patience, and practice to reap significant rewards, but some immediate effects are noticeable such as a feeling of being refreshed. The long term (lifelong) affect/goal is how it taps into our beginnings and helps us to regain our purity, and the power of love associated with purity, that we lost as we grew up. This can be perilous and it is important to have someone to discuss feelings with as they arise.

Here is the basic procedure:

1. Find a tranquil place and time where you won't be disturbed for 20-30 minutes.
   
2. Get yourself in the mood of relaxation by reading poetry or a passage from the bible or by saying some prayers.
   
3. Determine in your consciuosness how long you wish to center yourself. After relaxing for a few minutes, close your eyes and begin slowly repeating your centering word.
   
4. As thoughts creep into your consciousness let them go and repeat your centering word. Imagine that you are lying on a raft/innertube floating down a river, occasionally thoughts/issues will float up along side of you, do not try to solve them or think about them, instead let them keep floating on by and you will keep floating on down the river. Even if you think or feel like you are experiencing something mystical do not try to capture or hold on to that feeling or experience, continue to quiet yourself.
   
5. Your subconscious will remind you of your conscious timetable decision for that session. When you feel like the session should end slowly bring yourself out of your centering prayer by saying a prayer.
   
6. Follow up the session by doing some spiritual reading. DO NOT followup by watching the news, but we all have lives so it is OK to just go forward, just don't fill your quietness with a bunch of negativity.
   
7. For real progress commit to centering at least once per day for 20 - 30 minutes. It is not advisable to do it immediately before bed because the process will both relax and revive you. If you do it in the evening followup with some reading. Follow your heart and take a respite from it if need be. I stopped for a while because I wasn't sure if I could handle where this was taking me, but I think I read this and replied because it is time for me to get back to this healing. As I said, it can bring real intensity to you as you begin to connect to your lost self.

I have studied and practiced this, but as I said I can't do it justice so try to read some on the subject. Also, look into your church to see if they have a prayer group that practices this.

Good luck and God Bless, and let us know if any of you try it and find it beneficial.