"There is a direct linkage among self-examination, meditation, and prayer. Taken separately, these practices can bring much relief and benefit. But when they are logically related and interwoven, the result is an unshakable foundation for life."
-Bill Wilson
12 STEP OUTREACH
12 Step Outreach Is One of the Service Teams of Contemplative Outreach, Ltd.
Our Mission: We are 12 Step people who practice Centering Prayer as our 11th Step and pass it on to others in 12 Step recovery.
Our Purpose: The purpose of 12 Step Outreach is to support one another in the process of spiritual transformation through the practice of Centering Prayer.
Contemplative Outreach Ltd. was founded in 1984 to encourage the practice of Centerng Prayer, which is based on an ancient prayer practice. Thomas Keating, OCSO is one of the founders of the Centering Prayer movement and Contemplative Outreach, a spiritual network that teaches Centering Prayer and provides a support system for those who practice it. He is the author of many books and recorded presentations on Contemplative Prayer. The practice of Centering Prayer, and the spiritual, historical and psychological basis of it, are described and elaborated in several of Thomas Keating's works, including Open Mind, Open Heart and Invitation to Love.
In 2001, The 12 Step Outreach program of Contemplative Outreach was established to offer Centering Prayer to people in all 12 Step fellowships as an 11th Step prayer/meditation practice. We help individuals and groups establish contemplative prayer practices through workshops, retreats and formation programs. Thomas Keating's recent work, Divine Therapy and Addiction, reflects on the wisdom and the legacy of Alcoholics Anonymous and all 12 Step programs. The practice of Centering Prayer has parallels with other spiritual traditions and is easy to do.
For those who live by the 12 Steps found in AA, Al-Anon, SCA, OA, DA, NA, GA, and other programs, a Centering Prayer practice can be a key support system in the process of recovery and transformation.
Centering Prayer can help deepen our application of the 12 Steps generally, and the 11th Step specifically, through daily immersion in prayer and meditation. We believe that, when applied as a daily supplement to the 12Steps, Centering Prayer open us to the deepest dimension of spirituality.
News Story 1 TitleTHE GUIDELINES OF CENTERING PRAYER
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1. Choose a sacred word as the symbol of your intention to consent to God’s presence and action within.
2. Sitting comfortably and with eyes closed, settle briefly, and silently introduce the sacred word as the symbol of your consent to God’s presence and action within.
3. When engaged with your thoughts*, return ever-so-gently to the sacred word.
4. At the end of the prayer period, remain in silence with eyes closed for a couple of minutes.
*thoughts include body sensations, feelings, images, and reflections
1. The “sacred word” is sacred not because of its inherent meaning, but because of the meaning we give it as the expression of our intention and consent. Examples: Love, Let Go, Serenity, Peace, Silence, Faith, Trust, Gentle, etc. 2. “Sitting comfortably” means relatively comfortably so as not to encourage sleep during the time of prayer. 3. By “returning ever-so-gently to the sacred word” a minimum of effort is indicated. This is the only activity we initiate during the time of Centering Prayer. News Story 3 TitleBOOKS AND DVD'S
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Centering Prayer and the Twelve Steps In this major new work Thomas Keating reflects on the wisdom and legacy of the Alcoholics Anonymous Twelve Step Method and its connections to, and similarities with, the Christian mystical traditions of centering prayer and Lectio Divina. In conversion with long-time member of AA meetings, Father Thomas talks insightfully about surrendering to one's Higher Power and the journey that must be undertaken for the healing of the soul to begin.
Contemplative Outreach and Sounds True are pleased to present the first complete home study course in learning Centering Prayer, the silent Christian prayer practice for consenting to the presence and action of the Divine Indwelling. Includes more than nine hours of guidance and teachings on CD and DVD from Fr. Thomas Keating, Gail Fitzpatrick-Hopler and Fr. Carl Arico. View in US & Canada Store News Story 5 Title12-STEP OUTREACH AT CONTEMPLATIVE OUTREACH ANNUAL CONFERENCE
News Story 512-Step Outreach has been invited to present informational sessions at the Annual Conference in San Francisco, CA on September 30 thru October 2, 2011. Topics that will be covered include the history of 12-Step Outreach, our relationship to Contemplative Outreach and ways in which 12-Step Outreach can serve the local chapters of CO. There will be three open 12-step meetings and an information booth with 12-Step Outreach literature. For more info or to register for conference News Story 7 TitleNews Story 7 |
News Story 2 TitleTHE EFFECTS OF CENTERING PRAYER
News Story 2The positive effects of the prayer are experienced in daily life and not necessarily during the prayer period itself. During this prayer, avoid analyzing the experience, or having expectations such as: continuously repeating the sacred word; having no thoughts; achieving a spiritual experience. It is important not to judge the success of your prayer period. The only thing you can do wrong in this prayer is to get up and leave. You may find yourself getting in touch with feelings of pain, lust, or fear, even remembering feelings or events you forgot about long ago. There is no way to change or repair the damage of a lifetime EASILY or QUICKLY.
Everyone moves at his or her own pace in Centering Prayer. Just doing the prayer and opening our self to the presence of our Higher Power in silence will encourage you to keep going.
2) If you notice slight physical or emotional pain arising during the prayer, pay no attention and return ever so gently to the sacred word.
3) It is suggested that you join a weekly Centering Prayer Group or find others in recovery willing to meet on a regular basis, to support one another in this practice. News Story 4 TitleUPCOMING EVENTS
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12 Step Silent Retreat in Virginia Dale, CO Thursday, August 18th thru Sunday the21st
for details go to events ********** St. Louis Annual 12 Step Weekend Retreat "The Contemplatve Dimension of the Twelve Steps" Friday, Nov. 11- Sunday, November 13, 2011 Helpful applications of the 11th Step in everyday life for growth and healing. Contemplative Outreach of Central Pa. presents:
"The Contemplative Dimension of the 12 Steps" August 26th through August 28th, 2011 for details go to events
********** 12 Hour Workshop & Retreat in Middleton, Wisconsin Saturday, November 5th, 2011 8am - 8pm
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