Off Centering Prayer - part 2

In a previous post, Off-Centering Prayer - part 1 We discussed the four degrees of Ordinary Prayer; vocal; meditation; affective; and prayer of simplicity, the last two of which border on the mystical states. Also how Contemplative prayer is above and beyond ordinary prayer.

It is important to remember that because of concupiscence, there are 3 axioms about humanity
1. We have an infinite capacity for self-delusion
2. Our Self-assessments tend always to be towards what we aspire to and not what we are
3. We give ourselves credit for good intentions

Satan is always at work breeding sadness and anxiety while providing obstacles that prevent souls from making spiritual progress.
This is why it is ultra important not to be seduced into a false and easy path to contemplation as is offered by Centering Prayer.

If Centering Prayer is faithful Catholic contemplation then the fidelity of its founders must be inspected, specifically the fidelity of Abbott Thomas Keating, RIP of St. Joseph's Trappist Monaster in Spencer, MA. In a Youtbue video entitled Keating and Wilber answer questions about person of Jesus Christ, Abbott Keating denies the divinity of Christ, albeit in a subtle and disguised manner. Starting at 1m30s-2m11s Keating is answering a former Cathoilc about the person of Jesus Christ being God, where he states that there is No apodictic evidence * that Jesus is God [1m51s]...and Jesus never expected anyone to accept him on this basis except as the Father has called them, except through faith[2m11s]. This word jumble begs the question, Does our faith make Jesus God? Keating goes on, it's faith that equates to the Tantric idea of trusting yourself to a person who is very enlighted. He adds that the person that emerges through contemplative prayer is not the historical person of Jesus so much as the eternal word of God that posseses this persons, in other words moves through the core of mystery that far exceeds the grasp, The difference between God-likeness and actually being God. This incredible lack of clarity lays a solid foundation for self-deliusion

Sticking with devotions and meditation techniques founded by saints is the sure and much safer path to sanctity


Remember the only way that you know your rear brake light is out is that someone else tells you. This is why community is extremely important, especially for priests, religious and lay people. Every Catholic community, and that includes families, needs to pray the rosary every day.

Check out Dan Burke's concise yet powerful book on Discernment of Spirits, which presents the venerable, time-tested wisdom of Catholic mystics to help you understand the influence of the Enemy on your mind and heart, and the tactics you need to combat him.


* Apodictic evidence: A matter of essence, an originary givenness that is adequate. Involves the "intellectual seeing" of an essence.