We recommend you begin by attending an Introduction to Centering Prayer workshop (see below), and by reading Father Keating's book, Open Mind, Open Heart: The Contemplative Dimension of the Gospel.
The format for each workshop is a Saturday all-day session and then Six Continuing Sessions. All workshops are led by presenters trained by Contemplative Outreach, Ltd.
During the Continuing Sessions, you will see a 30 minute DVD of Father Keating which will deepen your understanding of the Christian contemplative heritage, have a period of Centering Prayer and have an opportunity for Q&A.
Centering Prayer Introductory Workshop
The workshop offers a contemporary presentation of the discipline of Centering Prayer as silent communion with God beyond concepts, words and images. Centering Prayer is a method of prayer, which prepares us to receive the gift of God's presence, traditionally called contemplative prayer. It consists of responding to the Spirit of Christ by consenting to God's presence and action within. It furthers the development of contemplative prayer by quieting our faculties to cooperate with the gift of God's presence.
Centering Prayer facilitates the movement from more active modes of prayer - verbal, mental or affective prayer - into a receptive prayer of resting in God. It emphasizes prayer as a personal relationship with God. At the same time, it is a discipline to foster and serve this relationship by a regular, daily practice of prayer. It is Trinitarian in its source, Christ-centered in its focus, and ecclesial in its effects; that is, it builds communities of faith.
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2012 Events will be posted soon
"Come to me all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest"
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Retreats
Centering Prayer retreats are for anyone who has completed the Introduction to Centering Prayer workshop or who otherwise has a Centering Prayer practice. Intensive Centering Prayer retreats are for people who have an established 6-12 month Centering Prayer practice, and who feel a longing to deepen their relationship with God through an extended time of silence and prayer.
While silence in community is observed a good portion of each day, there are opportunities for questions and comments. Retreatants will participate in worship, Centering Prayer, and instructional sessions. There will be ample opportunity for solitude and reflection, light exercise and private interviews, if desired, to facilitate an ever deepening level of interior silence and attentiveness to the presence of God.
Retreats at St. Mary's Retreat Center, Sewanne, TN
http://www.centeringprayermidtn.com/retreats.shtml
Retreats at St. Benedict's Retreat Center, Snowmass, CO
http://www.contemplativeoutreach-co.org/Snowmass.html