Article:

PRAXIS: Centering in the Heart
(Taken from the Journal of Contemplative Reflection, Vol. 1, Issue 2, September 1998).

Techniques in centering prayer are increasingly known and used by men and women who seriously practice contemplative prayer. Briefly, centering prayer is a methodology that entails the repetition of a word or phrase in meditation to center focus and attention. When attention begins to fade it is repeated in order to remain in a constant state of spiritual awareness. Similar to this, countless other methodologies exist using many forms of body prayer, breath prayer, chanting, the use of rosaries, icons, etc., to achieve focus. Central to each of these methods, however, is a single goal, to come to a deep and open awareness with what has been traditionally called, "the mind in the heart."

To understand what this phrase means we must begin with a clearer definition of the term "heart." In contemporary society the heart is associated with emotions or affections. In its classical biblical use the meaning is much deeper. Traditionally the heart is understood to be the seat of an intelligence greater than rationality including conscience and intuition, and is itself the center of human being where the body-soul complex interfaces with the world of spirit.

To go to the level of the heart and to remain there in conscious awareness necessitates an inner journey to our center. Centering in the heart means arriving at a deep place of awareness where we encounter the divine within. These centering methodologies enable us first to find the place of the heart. Second, we then learn how to return there over and over again. Third, we discover how to remain in the heart with an open, balanced awareness. Fourth, we come to meet and interact there with the "Lord" of our being, our ultimate, intimate Friend.

So for someone beginning the practice of centering in the heart, how do we find the place of the heart? An adequate answer assumes correctly that it is in fact a "place," an actual location within our being, different from our heads (or awareness in our heads). One way of finding that place is to become aware of various experiences in the course of normal life. We may have experienced being caught in awe at the sight of something of immense beauty, or listening to a piece of music which is so stunningly beautiful that it almost "stops our hearts." At that moment we are usually centered and aware "in the place of the heart." Knowing where that place is means that we can usually find our way back. Before we can do that, however, we must be fully aware that it exists and learn to identify those moments in life when we have been literally drawn there, almost by accident. In the course of a week look for those moments when you are caught in wonder and awe, when you are suddenly drawn to your deep, inner center. Identify that place. Mark it consciously as critical inner territory.

Lynn C. Bauman