lory_enterenchanted's review against another edition
Reviews and more on my blog: Entering the Enchanted Castle
After Bourgeault's Centering Prayer and Inner Awakening, this was another very thoughtful and thorough exploration of the simple, yet profound practice of Centering Prayer. The book brings together three different types of presentation, from an introductory workshop to an in-depth analysis of the foundational medieval text The Cloud of Unknowing, but all are clearly related to the central theme.
After several decades of this practice developing as a recovery of the contemplative tradition for the Western Christian world, it is time to take stock and consider how to bring it further into the future. The author has some strong opinions and some reservations about some points of view that muddle or weaken the practice, and she does a good job of conveying these in an objective way.
After Bourgeault's Centering Prayer and Inner Awakening, this was another very thoughtful and thorough exploration of the simple, yet profound practice of Centering Prayer. The book brings together three different types of presentation, from an introductory workshop to an in-depth analysis of the foundational medieval text The Cloud of Unknowing, but all are clearly related to the central theme.
After several decades of this practice developing as a recovery of the contemplative tradition for the Western Christian world, it is time to take stock and consider how to bring it further into the future. The author has some strong opinions and some reservations about some points of view that muddle or weaken the practice, and she does a good job of conveying these in an objective way.
ajlewis2's review
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
5.0
There is a good section on the practice of Centering Prayer with tips on some common misunderstandings which I know, because I have misunderstood. Most of the book is about the real purpose for doing Centering Prayer which is not what we normally consider reasons for meditation. The author has practiced this form for many years and has a lot to say about nondual perception. She has a large section on The Cloud of Unknowing with some commentary on different translations which she can do since she has a background in the language of the period when the book was written. Combining this with her own experience of Centering Prayer, she gives deep insights. Some of the material I grasped and some I will assume I am too much a newbie to Centering Prayer to have a real good idea of what she is saying. No matter. I got enough from the book to keep on the path of Centering Prayer and see what I see.
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