The Vision of Contemplative Outreach<\/p>\n\n\n\n
by Thomas Keating<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and\nwith all your soul, We embrace the process of transformation in Christ, both in ourselves and in others, through the practice of Centering Prayer.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Theological Principles with Commentary<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n 1.\nContemplative Outreach is a network of communities and individuals seeking the\ninspiration and guidance of the Holy Spirit and to contribute to the renewal of\nthe Christian contemplative tradition through the practice of Centering Prayer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 2.\nA commitment to the practice of Centering Prayer is the primary expression of\nbelonging.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 3.\nThe theological foundation of Centering Prayer is the Divine Presence in every\nmember of the human family.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 4. \nConsenting to the Divine Presence and action within us is the heart and soul of\nCentering Prayer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 5. \nThe indwelling Divine Presence affirms our innate core of goodness and is expressed\nfully in the theology of the Most Holy Trinity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 6.\n The Divine action is the healing process of transformation in Christ,\nenabling us to experience an ever-deepening intimacy with God and the practical\ncaring for others that flows from this relationship..<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n 7. \nThe conceptual background of Centering Prayer grounds and supports the growing\nsilence and stillness of contemplation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 8.\nListening to the word of God through the practice of Lectio Divina is\nencouraged, particularly its movement into contemplation which the daily\npractice of Centering Prayer facilitates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 9. \nWe believe that the Christian contemplative tradition and its expression in\nservice is the common ground for Christian unity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 10.\nWhile formed by our respective denominations, we are bonded through the\nexperience of Christ in Centering Prayer and in daily life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 11. \nWe affirm our solidarity with the contemplative dimension of other religions\nand sacred traditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 12. \nThe practice of Centering Prayer deepens our awareness of the oneness of all\ncreation and our compassion for the whole human family.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 13.\nFollowing the teaching of Jesus, we endeavour to exercise leadership in a\nspirit of service, utmost charity, and unity..<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n 14.\nThe good accomplished through Contemplative Outreach is the gift of the Holy\nSpirit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Guidelines for Contemplative Outreach Service There are different kinds of spiritual gifts but the same Spirit; 1.\nContemplative Outreach is an evolving community with an expanding vision and\ndeepening practice of Centering Prayer that serves the changing needs of\nChristian contemplatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 2.\nThe integrity of the teaching of the method of Centering Prayer is contained in\nthe Four Guidelines and their conceptual background as described in the Method\nof Centering Prayer brochure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 3.\nWe share Centering Prayer by appealing to interior attraction rather than\nproselytizing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 4.\nThose who serve in leadership ordinarily do so in a voluntary capacity. We\nemploy staff and contractors <\/p>\n\n\n\n 5.\nAll who provide Contemplative Outreach services do so in consideration of their\npersonal, family, and professional responsibilities, which come first.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 6.\nContemplative Outreach avoids indebtedness and owning real estate in order to\nbe free to devote all its resources to sharing the gift of Centering Prayer..<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n 7.\nWe reach decisions through prayerful discernment, aiming toward consensus\nespecially in matters of major importance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 8.\nWe collaborate with our respective church authorities, but do not seek to\nbecome a religious or lay institute. <\/p>\n\n\n\n 9.\nTo remain accessible to everyone, Contemplative Outreach does not endorse\nparticular causes or take part in public controversies, whether religious,\npolitical, or social. As private individuals, we act according to our\nconscience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 10.\nWe maintain a spiritual relationship with St. Benedict\u2019s Monastery in Snowmass,\nCO.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Vision The Vision of Contemplative Outreach by Thomas Keating Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbour as yourself. Luke 10: 27 We embrace the process of transformation in Christ, both in ourselves and in others, … Continue reading About Us<\/span>
\nand with all your strength, and with all your mind;
\nand your neighbour as yourself.<\/em>
\nLuke 10: 27<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n
\nwith Commentary<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
there are different forms of service, but the same Lord;
there are different workings but the same God who produces all of them in everyone.<\/em>
<\/p> 1 Corinthians 12:4-6 <\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n