N.Carolina Catholics and Protestants Centering on Father Keating's Mysticism

From The Charlotte Observer: ‘Centering prayer' founder coming to Charlotte

Thomas Keating, a founder of the modern centering prayer movement, will make his first visit to Charlotte in September.

Meanwhile, hundreds of people are already practicing centering prayer at home and in small groups throughout Charlotte. In 2007, a group of Charlotte pastors and lay leaders joined to support the practice, which is especially relevant in a time when people are busy and stressed.

Centering prayer involves listening and silence rather than talking to God. The purpose is to let go of your own thoughts and words to give God access to yourself and allow for transformation.

“I think centering prayer helps people connect with interior silence,” said the Rev. Katie Crowe of First Presbyterian Church. “The more you practice centering prayer, as many have experienced, the more you can take that interior silence into those more chaotic places in your life, and what is inside of you will begin influencing the world.”

...Centering prayer groups now meet weekly throughout Charlotte. The Centering Prayer of Charlotte movement has an extensive Web site that lists resources for centering prayer, local contacts and meeting times.

Alice Johnson, a pastor at Sardis Presbyterian, wrote in an e-mail that people from all mainline denominations, including Presbyterian, Methodist, Episcopal and Baptist, attend the groups.

Editor's note: A visit to The Centering Prayer of Charlotte reveals the ecumenical appeal of mysticism. The CPC also has a strong following in western North Carolina.

The Baptist General Association of Virginia partner organization, Woman's Missionary Union of Virginia is also working at promoting ecumenical mysticism.

Apparently for many, the Bible is not sufficient.

Click to learn more about Roman Catholic priest and Trappist monk Thomas Keating . See why centering prayer and mysticism have nothing to do with the God of the Bible.

See related article: CONTEMPLATIVE SPIRITUALITY/MYSTICISM HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH SALVATION