Centering Prayer…As an 11th Step Practice
Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God…
About Centering Prayer and the 12 Steps
Centering Prayer is a simple method of prayer rooted in ancient Christian practice that opens us to God’s presence and divine healing. For those who practice the 12 Steps found in any 12-Step program, there are striking parallels between the process that Centering Prayer encourages and the process initiated in the practice of the 12 Steps – the process of human transformation.
The way we seek God is through surrender of self. The action part of the 12 Steps is an exterior surrender. The 11th Step provides for an interior surrender through prayer and meditation. Since Centering Prayer specifically responds to the “prayer and meditation” language of the 11th Step, it can also deepen our experience of the 12 Step practice.
We believe that Centering Prayer as a practice goes even farther and, when practiced daily with the 12 Steps, provides a contemplative dimension to the Steps and to life, where the promises are realized.
Centering Prayer is not meant to replace other kinds of prayer, rather it casts new light and depth of meaning on all types of prayer.
Resources: 11th Step Meditation 12 Step Meeting
Many of our members attend an 11th Step Meditation Meeting held on Monday evenings at the Conerstone Center (see address on main page) at 7 PM. This is an open 12 Step meeting with 20 minutes of silence followed by a discussion. We adhere to the AA Traditions in having no opinion on religious practices…everyone is free to do any type of meditation they wish, although, this is an opportunity for those practicing Centering Prayer to do so with the support and enrichment of a group.
12 Step Centering Prayer Group
A group meets every other Wednesday in Tempe. If you would like to learn the practice or if you’d like to join others in recovery in the prayer, join us (call Dave D. at 480 966-5955). We start with a 20 minutes of Centering Prayer followed by a video, tape, or text reading with discussion.
Watch our website or write us to find out about our next Introduction to Centering Prayer Day or retreat opportunities.
Save the Date! Upcoming conference exploring the addictive processes and the use of Centering Prayer to access our "inner room"
Download the Brochure or visit www.cacradicalgrace.org.
Thomas Keating and Richard Rohr will be together in Albuquerque the weekend of June 27-29 for a Conference exploring the addictive processes and the use of Centering Prayer to access our "inner room". Fr. Bill Sheehan who lead the Spring 12 Step Retreat in Cornville AZ last May will also be there giving a workshop on the Welcoming Prayer. The event is specifically for those of us in 12 step recovery, but is open to everyone.
You will notice on the registration fees there is a substantially lower price for a group of 10 people or more. We ask that you start a list of 10 people (more than one group is even better) of people from your area.
Attached is a pdf of the brochure that can be printed or emailed. We have these professionally printed that we can send to you if you like. There is also a group kit file that we can send you to print out and begin collecting names, or pass on to others who might be able to assemble a group of 10.
This is truly a grass roots effort and we depend on you to spread the word one addict/ alcoholic/ alanon to another. Let either Dave Dierig ddierig@cox.net, Jim McElroy jmac150@sbcglobal.net, Jenny Adamson adamsonje@cfu.net, or Herb K herbk12@hotmail.com know if you have any questions. Thanks for your service and support.