Ways we Serve

 

Father Thomas saw contemplative prayer as a gift from God accessible to the whole human family.  This inspired his fellowship with the men of Folsom Prison and his respect for 12 step spirituality. 

 

Our service extends the belief we must constantly reach our in concrete and practical ways to those in need.

 

"To be in the kingdom is to participate in God's solidarity with the poor by sharing with them the good things that have been given to us.  In the New Testament the great sin is to be deaf to the cry of the poor whether that cry springs from emotional, material, or spiritual need.  Although we cannot help but partake in some degree in social injustice because we live in this world, we must constantly reach out in concrete and practical ways to those in need.  Divine love is not a feeling, but a choice."  -- Thomas Keating, Meditations on the Parables of Jesus

 

Our Voices United

a statement of solidarity

 

In the spirit that exclaims, “we are all created equal,” Contemplative Outreach unites its voice with those who have been oppressed, violated, discriminated, abused, exploited, and who now are asking to be considered normal human beings! At the same time we reject the use of violence in the struggle to achieve equality. We acknowledge that those who discriminate are also human beings and in need of healing as well.

 

Contemplative Outreach recognizes that discrimination, being part of our cultural conditioning, can be healed by contemplative practices like Centering Prayer. We invite all of us who consciously or unconsciously recognize that we participate or have participated in acts of discrimination to open our hearts to the healing power of God, so that united with those who have been the victims of discriminatory acts, we can all be healed together.

 

Governing Board of Contemplative Outreach, Ltd

 

Prison Fellowship

 

"Through the practice of centering prayer, a miraculous transformation takes place that I have not experienced in any other spiritual practice.  In my opinion, it seems that this transformation can only happen through contact with God's divine grace and love.  Centering Prayer is a conduit to God's love and caring nature.  Given time, the manifestation of these principles is tangible."   - Michael as quoted in Finding God Within: Contemplative Prayer for Prisoners by Ray Leonardini

 

In the late 1990's Father Thomas Keating was invited to sit in Centering Prayer with a group of prisoners in Folsom State Prison.  To this day, Centering Prayer is a spiritual discipline practiced by hundreds of prisoners throughout the nation.

 

Following in Fr. Thomas's footsteps, Contemplative Outreach of Colorado has active prison fellowship programs with both men and women.  These are founded on our 12th Theological Principle, "We are invited to make available the gift of Centering Prayer to everyone, particularly to the needy and the marginalized."  In the prisons we visit, we come together for prayer, spiritual reflection and sharing the Spirit that says we are all beloved by God.

 

12 Step Spirituality

 

In 2001, The 12 Step Outreach program of Contemplative Outreach was established to offer Centering Prayer to people in all 12 Step fellowships as an 11th Step prayer/meditation practice. We help individuals and groups establish contemplative prayer practices through workshops, retreats and formation programs. The practice of Centering Prayer, and the spiritual, historical and psychological basis of it, are described and elaborated in several of Thomas Keating’s works, including Open Mind, Open Heart and Invitation to Love. The practice of Centering Prayer has parallels with other traditional practices, and is simple and easy to do. For those who live by the 12 Steps found in AA, Al-Anon, SCA, OA, DA, NA, GA, and other programs, a Centering Prayer practice can be a key support system in the process of recovery and transformation. Centering Prayer can help deepen our application of the 12 Steps generally, and the 11th Step specifically, through daily immersion in prayer and meditation. We believe that, when applied as a daily supplement to the 12 Steps, Centering Prayer open us to the deepest dimension of spirituality.