Who am I in God?

We begin this journey to know our true selves with the practice of Centering Prayer, an ancient contemplative practice that brings us into silent communion with the divine indwelling. We simply sit in silence with God—beyond thoughts, words and emotions, and open our mind, heart and whole being to the Ultimate Mystery. This prayer is the cornerstone in a series of teachings and practices that call us to surrender to God’s presence and action in our lives. (You can read more about Centering Prayer here.)

About the Spiritual Journey Courses
 

In the Spiritual Journey Series, Fr. Thomas unravels how the false-self forms, why we suffer, how unconscious emotional programs drive human behavior, and how divine grace gradually heals and transforms us. He understood that as people deepen their relationship with God through Centering Prayer and other contemplative practices, something profound begins to unfold. Over time, many experience psychological, emotional and spiritual changes that can be delightful, surprising, confusing and sometimes unsettling. Through decades of working with hundreds of practitioners, Keating recognized that many were undergoing a deep inner transformation without fully understanding what was happening—or why.

Fr. Thomas often compared the Spiritual Journey to a river—constantly flowing from its source toward its destination, with one bank formed by prayer and the other by the experiences and events of everyday life. To help people understand this unfolding journey, he created the Spiritual Journey Series. The series provides a framework for understanding the human condition, the false self, Divine Therapy, and the gradual awakening to our true identity in God.

The Spiritual Journey Series offers practical guidance and spiritual wisdom for living a contemplative life—a life increasingly in harmony with oneself, with others, and with the world around us. It teaches us how to respond more fully to God’s transforming grace in the midst of ordinary daily life.
 

The Spiritual Journey series consists of nine courses taught by Fr. Thomas Keating (via pre-recorded lessons) and facilitated by experienced guides on the journey. The first two courses—Centering Prayer and the Spiritual Journey, and The Human Condition—are foundational and set the stage for growing your relationship with God and your true self. All the courses are described in the links below. You may undertake this journey at your own pace, trusting the Holy Spirit to guide your schedule.

This program guides participants to the transformative awakening and healing to be found along the contemplative path. It incorporates both contemporary psychological and ancient spiritual concepts. We welcome seekers of all faith traditions—or no tradition. This journey is for anyone who wishes to gain wisdom and understanding of God’s action in their lives through the Christian contemplative path of transformation into Christ. To read how others have experienced this program, please read the testimonials below.

Who is Fr. Thomas Keating?

The Spiritual Journey series is the teaching legacy of Fr. Thomas Keating (1923-2018), who was one of the principal architects of the Centering Prayer movement. Keating was a Trappist monk who founded Contemplative Outreach to promote Centering Prayer and to enliven the contemplative dimensions of the gospels for 21st century pilgrims. You can read more about his journey here.

"The Spiritual Journey does not require going anywhere because God is already with us and in us. Just by the very nature of our birth, we are on a spiritual journey." 

—Thomas Keating

Where do I go from here?

After perusing this information, you may wonder where to begin, or you may wonder if this journey is right for you. We like to keep things simple, so we suggest you begin at the beginning. If you're ready to jump in, please register for both the free Introduction to Centering Prayer Workshop and the Centering Prayer and the Spiritual Journey class. The workshop teaches the prayer method so you'll be ready to start praying with your Centering Prayer Class.  

If you're not sure if this prayer is right for you, we invite you to register for the free Introduction to Centering Prayer Workshop. After the workshop, you may decide to register for Centering Prayer and the Spiritual Journey or you may want to practice the prayer on your own before starting the class. You can jump into the Spiritual Journey Series whenever you're ready.

If you're ready for Centering Prayer and the Spiritual Journey, but missed the free Introduction to Centering Prayer Workshop, please go ahead and register. You will be able to watch the recording of the Workshop and catch up with your class.

Follow your heart and let the Spirit guide you!

Please note: We begin the Spiritual Journey Series with Centering Prayer and the Spiritual Journey every January and again in September. Introduction to Centering Prayer Workshop may be offered throughout the year and will be listed on our events calendar.

What is the course format?

All courses are presented online via Zoom by our trained and experienced facilitators. Courses range from five to seven weeks and include an online class site rich with supporting and supplemental materials. Please click here to learn more about the class format. 

Can I repeat the courses?

Yes! Many students repeat any or all of the courses and find a uniquely rich experience each time they do. And we offer a great deal: You can repeat any Spiritual Journey class for half-price. Come renew your commitment and your practice! Contact us at Staff@Centeringprayer.net to receive your discount code.