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Finding Grace at the Center (3rd Edition): The Beginning of Centering Prayer
A new edition of the classic that helped launch the Centering Prayer movement.
Centering Prayer is a precious part of the ancient spiritual traditions of the West. When Finding Grace at the Center was first published in 1978, people all over the world welcomed this practical guide to a simple and beautiful form of meditative prayer. Reflections and advice on Centering Prayer's possibilities―and its pitfalls―are presented with clarity and simplicity, with a vision of the deeper life of the soul that contemplative prayer can bring about. Now, with a new foreword by Rev. Cynthia Bourgeault, PhD, another generation will discover the amazing difference Centering Prayer can make in their lives.
Centering Prayer is a precious part of the ancient spiritual traditions of the West. When Finding Grace at the Center was first published in 1978, people all over the world welcomed this practical guide to a simple and beautiful form of meditative prayer. Reflections and advice on Centering Prayer's possibilities―and its pitfalls―are presented with clarity and simplicity, with a vision of the deeper life of the soul that contemplative prayer can bring about. Now, with a new foreword by Rev. Cynthia Bourgeault, PhD, another generation will discover the amazing difference Centering Prayer can make in their lives.
128 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 1, 1978
31 people are currently reading
139 people want to read
About the author
M. Basil Pennington
101 books24 followersDom M. Basil Pennington O.C.S.O. (1931–2005) was a Trappist monk and priest. He was a leading Roman Catholic spiritual writer, speaker, teacher, and director.
Pennington was an alumnus of the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas Angelicum where he obtained a licentiate in Theology in 1959.[1] He also earned a licentiate in Canon Law at the Pontifical Gregorian University. Pennington became known internationally as one of the major proponents of the Centering Prayer movement begun at St. Joseph's Abbey in Spencer, Massachusetts, during the 1970s.
Pennington was an alumnus of the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas Angelicum where he obtained a licentiate in Theology in 1959.[1] He also earned a licentiate in Canon Law at the Pontifical Gregorian University. Pennington became known internationally as one of the major proponents of the Centering Prayer movement begun at St. Joseph's Abbey in Spencer, Massachusetts, during the 1970s.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
November 22, 2017
A good introduction to centering prayer and the uniqueness of Christian approaches to contemplation/meditation as opposed to Eastern approaches. However the book lacks practical guidance and left me feeling contemplation is for the mystic not the average person, though the authors claim otherwise.
June 26, 2012
Glad to discover Clarke. Mighty fine writing.
February 22, 2019
A superb little introduction to the Christian contemplative practice of centring prayer, consisting of a collection of four essays by Basil Pennington, Thomas Keating and Thomas E Clarke.
It transpires that, historically speaking, the practice underwent a renaissance in the 1970s, partly in response to the flourishing of eastern meditative techniques. It had its roots in a long Christian tradition that had begun to wane in the 18th and 19th centuries. But interestingly, Pennington links the rediscovery to the charismatic renewal (or as Pennington puts it, 'the second pentecost') that impacted the Catholic church (as well as other mainstream denominations) in the last third of the 20th century. I was a child of the charismatic movement and, by way of coincidental context, this book was first published the year after I was born. It felt like a pulling together of my threads to hear of contemplative practice historically situated in this way.
Briefly, centring prayer draws the pray-er towards the core of their being where God dwells (God and the pray-er are not the same thing BTW). Then the pray-er simply sits in the stillness of that place. There are no petitions and minimal words - just presence. As thoughts arise they are quietened and allowed to drift away by the use of a chosen centring word, such a 'love' or 'God' or 'Jesus' - in fact the technique is very similar to the way in which mindfulness focuses on the breath. And actually, given the theo-metaphorical significance of breath, I don't see why the two methods shouldn't be interchangeable. Mindfulness is wonderful, for this very reason, when a God-consciousness is part of the mix.
The first two essays in the book are introductions to the concept and method of centring prayer written by Pennington and Keating (two of the pioneers of the modern movement). The third essay is a history of the method of prayer by Keating, and the fourth is a fascinating theological / philosophical exploration of the Centre, and what it might mean, by Clarke.
For your edification and as a little taster of the wealth of Clarke's essay, a little quote about the interplay of theology and contemplation: "It is the deficiency of much theologizing, both professional and popular, that it is conducted at the more superficial levels of human discourse. Bringing theology to the center is like dipping a fabric in a liquid which restores and transfigures its inherent beauty. This is the place where the great doctors of the Church carried on their pondering of the mystery. Only to the degree that theology takes place in the stillness of the Center will it be capable of nourishing the Church."
I shall be reading this book again at some point. Worth many readings.
It transpires that, historically speaking, the practice underwent a renaissance in the 1970s, partly in response to the flourishing of eastern meditative techniques. It had its roots in a long Christian tradition that had begun to wane in the 18th and 19th centuries. But interestingly, Pennington links the rediscovery to the charismatic renewal (or as Pennington puts it, 'the second pentecost') that impacted the Catholic church (as well as other mainstream denominations) in the last third of the 20th century. I was a child of the charismatic movement and, by way of coincidental context, this book was first published the year after I was born. It felt like a pulling together of my threads to hear of contemplative practice historically situated in this way.
Briefly, centring prayer draws the pray-er towards the core of their being where God dwells (God and the pray-er are not the same thing BTW). Then the pray-er simply sits in the stillness of that place. There are no petitions and minimal words - just presence. As thoughts arise they are quietened and allowed to drift away by the use of a chosen centring word, such a 'love' or 'God' or 'Jesus' - in fact the technique is very similar to the way in which mindfulness focuses on the breath. And actually, given the theo-metaphorical significance of breath, I don't see why the two methods shouldn't be interchangeable. Mindfulness is wonderful, for this very reason, when a God-consciousness is part of the mix.
The first two essays in the book are introductions to the concept and method of centring prayer written by Pennington and Keating (two of the pioneers of the modern movement). The third essay is a history of the method of prayer by Keating, and the fourth is a fascinating theological / philosophical exploration of the Centre, and what it might mean, by Clarke.
For your edification and as a little taster of the wealth of Clarke's essay, a little quote about the interplay of theology and contemplation: "It is the deficiency of much theologizing, both professional and popular, that it is conducted at the more superficial levels of human discourse. Bringing theology to the center is like dipping a fabric in a liquid which restores and transfigures its inherent beauty. This is the place where the great doctors of the Church carried on their pondering of the mystery. Only to the degree that theology takes place in the stillness of the Center will it be capable of nourishing the Church."
I shall be reading this book again at some point. Worth many readings.
May 4, 2018
This book was my first formal foray into learning about centering prayer. The first chapter was quite helpful, but it rapidly devolved into a style of writing I personally find annoying: mystical language intended to sound deep that fails to communicate anything substantive. However, I do understand that there are people for whom this language will be exactly what they need to understand what centering prayer is about...it is to those people that I recommend this book. However, if, like me, you are someone who looks for logical arguments rather than emotional ones, this one will likely not convince.
October 27, 2023
This short read is a compilation of four separate writings drawn together around the concept of centering prayer. The positives for me were the ways in which each writer expressed a spiritual fervency for God. The desire for intimacy is evident as they explore the dynamics of centering prayer.
On a more negative note, there is a certain opaqueness in select sections that caused me to lose the train of thought. The narrative at times demonstrates a more esoteric viewpoint — especially in the engagement of Eastern religious practices.
The solid nuggets, especially in Keating’s two chapters, made the read beneficial.
On a more negative note, there is a certain opaqueness in select sections that caused me to lose the train of thought. The narrative at times demonstrates a more esoteric viewpoint — especially in the engagement of Eastern religious practices.
The solid nuggets, especially in Keating’s two chapters, made the read beneficial.
December 4, 2019
Finding Grace
This book is a compilation of three peoples views on Centering prayer. Parts of the book were a bit deep others very similar to previous books and articles that 8 have read. As a participant in centering prayer I found this book a little bit of a let down.
This book is a compilation of three peoples views on Centering prayer. Parts of the book were a bit deep others very similar to previous books and articles that 8 have read. As a participant in centering prayer I found this book a little bit of a let down.
April 27, 2025
Very simple introduction to Centering Prayer. Will require follow up. Brief history of Christian Prayer also a summary that clarifies and calls to mind for those familiar rather than in depth explanation for the uninitiated
December 27, 2020
The first two chapters are very good at explaining Centering Prayer. And the introduction was very interesting background for someone new to the subject. The final chapters were not that good.
September 23, 2021
Was more of a defense for contemplative prayer until the very last two pages. A quick read, but not as helpful for the practice. More about understanding it’s history.
meditation-contemplation
May 3, 2023*2 copies available*
*author listed as T. Keating*
*author listed as T. Keating*
October 3, 2024
The first chapter is all I read. Not much new but a very simple approach, easier to process than the Cloud of Unknowing, which I enjoyed.
March 1, 2025
Only useful book on prayer I've read in ages
August 2, 2010
Maybe I was expecting too much, or maybe I have read much of the same thing in more recent books, but this book was a bit of a disappointment. It certainly is not a bad book, but is is not as helpful or as stimulating as I anticipated.
The book contains four essays by three authors and is about centering prayer.
The book contains four essays by three authors and is about centering prayer.
September 6, 2018
The idea of centering prayer is okay, but I thought this author took things way out of left field and I felt like I was reading mystical spiritual Buddhism techniques. Nothing personal against Buddhism techniques, just not what I expected from a general Christian read.
July 9, 2016
Suggested for those establishing a practice of Centering Prayer.
May 22, 2019
Three different authors, and I think the first part of this book is the easier to understand. It focuses on the method of centering prayer; whereas the second part looks at the evolution of contemplative prayer through the middle ages and Reformation. Perhaps not the best entree to centering prayer, but still I found some good things to reflect on
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews