Posted by John Theobald on February 26, 1999 at 22:31:33:
In Reply to: Centering Prayer and Contemplation posted by Phil on October 28, 1998 at 08:07:58:
I think Centering Prayer has several stages which match the various categories. Using the word is a simplified form of meditation (in the western sense).Once the word is transcended, it then would seem to move into contemplation. I think it's source more resembles Hindu forms of meditation than Zen but many of the practicioners are familiar with zen and see those similarities. Thomas Keating spent some time in Fairfield conversing with the Maharishi University which teaches Transcendental Meditation. I therefore think the semantics can lead to many ways of understanding cp, which seems to be unique in the sense that one is transcending on an intention to be open to God rather than on a sensory mode such as a sound or body sensation like breathing.
John Theobald
: The following is from the innerexplorations.com web site, and was written by Jim Arraj. I think it has the potential to spark some interaction.