Welcome back to the final episode of Opening Minds, Opening Hearts for this season! We have enjoyed the thought-provoking conversations we’ve had with our guests this season and today we are excited to speak with Cynthia Bourgealt. Cynthia is a modern-day mystic, Episcopal priest, writer, and internationally known retreat leader. She divides her time between solitude and sailing the waters around her seaside hermitage in Maine, and a demanding schedule traveling globally to teach and spread the recovery of the Christian Contemplative and Wisdom paths. She believes that the strength of a lineage depends on the strength of its students. She has taken an active interest in mentoring the new generation of Wisdom teachers and leaders.To learn more about Father Thomas Keating’s guidelines for service and principles visit www.contemplativeoutreach.org/vision. To connect with Rev. Dr. Cynthia Bourgeault: Visit her website: www.cynthiabourgeault.orgEncountering Evil online web course: www.wisdomwayofknowing.orgBooks mentioned in this episode: Lost Christianity by Jacob NeedlemanOpen Minds, Open Hearts: The Contemplative Dimension of the Gospel by Father Thomas KeatingFrom the Mind to the Heart by Father Thomas KeatingGod is all and all: The Evolution of the Contemplative Christian Spiritual Journey by Father Thomas KeatingThat We May Be One - Christian Non-duality: A Companion Book by Father Thomas KeatingTo connect further with us:Visit our website: www.contemplativeoutreach.orgFind us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/contemplativeoutreachltd/Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/contemplativeoutreachCheck out our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/coutreachSeason 2 of Opening Minds, Opening Hearts was made possible by a grant from the Trust for the Meditation Process, a charitable foundation encouraging meditation, mindfulness, and contemplative prayer.This episode of Opening Minds, Opening Hearts is produced by Crys & Tiana LLC www.crysandtiana.comStream and Download the Opening Minds, Opening Hearts Podcast NOW for FREE on Apple Podcast, Google, Amazon and Spotify!

Centering Prayer is a practice that changes the way we see the world from the inside out and is important for our well-being both physically and mentally. To help us reflect on this important principle, we are excited to welcome Fr. Greg Boyle, the founder of Homeboy Industries, the largest gang intervention, rehabilitation, and re-entry program in the world. Fr. Greg was born and raised in Los Angeles and was a Jesuit priest from 1986 to 1992. He served as pastor of Dolores Mission Church, the poorest Catholic parish in Los Angeles that had the highest concentration of gang activity in the city. After witnessing the devastating impact of gang violence on his community, peaking at 1,000 gang-related killings in 1992, he was inspired to adopt a radical approach at the time, treating gang members as human beings. Homeboy Industries employs and trains former gang members in a range of social enterprises, and provides critical services to thousands of individuals who walk through its doors each year seeking a better life.To connect further with Fr. Greg Boyle:Visit his website: www.homeboyindustries.orgLike him on Facebook - www.facebook.com/HomeboyIndustries/Follow him on Twitter - www.twitter.com/homboyindFind him on Instagram - www.instagram.com/explore/tags/homeboyindustries/Connect with him on LinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/company/homeboy-industries/Check out his YouTube Channel – www.youtube.com/user/JobsNotJailsFr. Boyle is the author of the 2010 New York Times bestseller Tattoos on the Heart: The Power of Boundless Compassion. Followed by Barking to the Choir: The Power of Radical Kinship (2017) and The Whole Language: The Power of Extravagant Tenderness (2021). Most recently, he authored Forgive Everyone Everything, an anthology of writings accompanied by Fabian Debora’s artwork. To connect further with us:Visit our website: www.contemplativeoutreach.orgFind us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/contemplativeoutreachltd/Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/contemplativeoutreachCheck out our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/coutreachTo learn more about Father Thomas Keating’s guidelines for service and principles visit www.contemplativeoutreach.org/vision. Season 2 of Opening Minds, Opening Hearts was made possible by a grant from the Trust for the Meditation Process, a charitable foundation encouraging meditation, mindfulness, and contemplative prayer. This episode of Opening Minds, Opening Hearts produced by Crys & Tiana LLC www.crysandtiana.comStream and Download the Opening Minds, Opening Hearts Podcast NOW for FREE on Apple Podcast, Google, Amazon and Spotify!

Today we will discuss the evolving and expanding community of Contemplative Outreach and Centering Prayer. We have a special guest, The Very Reverend Michael Battle, Ph.D. a theologian, professor, author, and speaker. He is the author of 11 books including his most recent title, Desmond Tutu, A Spiritual Biography of South Africa’s Confessor. We explore “ubuntu” the African proverb that teaches we are all interdependent on one another. We also explore how we can expand the contemplative life to people of color, his experience spending time with Desmond Tutu, and how our different spiritual gifts are all important. To connect further with The Rev. Michael Battle:Visit his website: www.michaelbattle.comRead his works including his most recent book Desmond Tutu, A Spiritual Biography of South Africa's Confessor at www.michaelbattle.comTo connect further with us:Visit our website: www.contemplativeoutreach.orgFind us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/contemplativeoutreachltd/Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/contemplativeoutreachCheck out our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/coutreachTo learn more about Father Thomas Keating’s guidelines for service and principles visit www.contemplativeoutreach.org/vision.Season 2 of Opening Minds, Opening Hearts was made possible by a grant from the Trust for the Meditation Process, a charitable foundation encouraging meditation, mindfulness, and contemplative prayer. This episode of Opening Minds, Opening Hearts is produced by Crys & Tiana LLC www.crysandtiana.com Stream and Download the Opening Minds, Opening Hearts Podcast NOW for FREE on Apple Podcast, Google, Amazon and Spotify!

On today’s episode, we will explore the changing needs of Christian contemplatives through a thought-provoking conversation with our guest, Keith Kristich. Keith is a writer, retreat leader, and founder of the online contemplative community, Closer Than Breath. His mission is to help people unlearn rigid religion, reimagine what is divine, and see God everywhere. Keith is a commissioned presenter of Centering Prayer through Contemplative Outreach and trained with the Shalem Institute for Spiritual Formation in leading contemplative prayer groups and retreats.To learn more about Closer Than Breath, visit their website www.closerthanbreath.comTo connect further with us:Visit our website: www.contemplativeoutreach.orgFind us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/contemplativeoutreachltd/Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/contemplativeoutreachCheck out our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/coutreachTo learn more about Father Thomas Keating’s guidelines for service and principles visit www.contemplativeoutreach.org/vision.Season 2 of Opening Minds, Opening Hearts was made possible by a grant from the Trust for the Meditation Process, a charitable foundation encouraging meditation, mindfulness, and contemplative prayer. This episode of Opening Minds, Opening Hearts is produced by Crys & Tiana LLC www.crysandtiana.comStream and Download the Opening Minds, Opening Hearts Podcast NOW for FREE on Apple Podcast, Google, Amazon and Spotify!

On today’s episode of Opening Minds, Opening Hearts, we hear from Dr. Rory McEntee, a religion scholar and philosopher-theologian working at an intersection of contemplative life, education, social justice, and culture. Today we will discuss the support and difficulties that come with being in community, how empathy comes from our own uniqueness and manifestation of God on Earth, and what Rory feels is the greatest challenge of our time. To connect further with Dr. Rory McEntee:Visit his website: https://charisinterspirituality.org/To connect further with us:Visit our website: www.contemplativeoutreach.orgFind us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/contemplativeoutreachltd/Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/contemplativeoutreachCheck out our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/coutreachTo learn more about Father Thomas Keating’s guidelines for service and principles visit www.contemplativeoutreach.org/vision.Season 2 of Opening Minds, Opening Hearts was made possible by a grant from the Trust for the Meditation Process, a charitable foundation encouraging meditation, mindfulness, and contemplative prayer. This episode of Opening Minds, Opening Hearts is produced by Crys & Tiana LLC www.crysandtiana.comStream and Download the Opening Minds, Opening Hearts Podcast NOW for FREE on Apple Podcast, Google, Amazon and Spotify!

On today’s episode of Opening Minds, Opening Hearts, we are delighted to welcome Heather Ruce who will help us dive into the deepening practice of Centering Prayer, a Wisdom Spiritual Director who facilitates Wisdom Practices and hosts retreats at schools focused on the Christian Wisdom Tradition. Heather weaves the lineage of teacher, Cynthia Bourgeault, into her work and training including Family Systems Therapy, Systematic Experiencing, Organic Intelligence, and her spiritual direction. Her approach to teaching is guiding people in practice with wisdom and in the service of the Christian Wisdom Tradition. Join us as we explore our relationship with everything around us through Centering Prayer.To connect further with Heather Ruce::Visit her website: https://www.heatherruce.com/To connect further with us:Visit our website: www.contemplativeoutreach.orgFind us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/contemplativeoutreachltd/Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/contemplativeoutreachCheck out our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/coutreachTo learn more about Father Thomas Keating’s guidelines for service and principles visit www.contemplativeoutreach.org/vision.Season 2 of Opening Minds, Opening Hearts was made possible by a grant from the Trust for the Meditation Process, a charitable foundation encouraging meditation, mindfulness, and contemplative prayer. This episode of Opening Minds, Opening Hearts is produced by Crys & Tiana LLC www.crysandtiana.comStream and Download the Opening Minds, Opening Hearts Podcast NOW for FREE on Apple Podcast, Google, Amazon and Spotify!

On today’s episode, we speak with Gigi Ross, who began practicing Centering Prayer after attending an introductory workshop in 1998. Gigi has been a Spiritual Director since 2000 and worked as an Associate Director at the Shalem Institute for Spiritual Foundation. She also served on the leadership team for Contemplative Outreach of Maryland and Washington from 2003 to 2005. She is currently working at the Center for Action and Contemplation (CAC) as the Living School Student Experience Manager. We are so grateful for our long-standing partnership with CAC and the tremendous work she is doing there. To connect further with us:Visit our website: www.contemplativeoutreach.orgFind us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/contemplativeoutreachltd/Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/contemplativeoutreachCheck out our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/coutreachTo learn more about Father Thomas Keating’s guidelines for service and principles visit www.contemplativeoutreach.org/vision.Season 2 of Opening Minds, Opening Hearts was made possible by a grant from the Trust for the Meditation Process, a charitable foundation encouraging meditation, mindfulness, and contemplative prayer. This episode of Opening Minds, Opening Hearts is produced by Crys & Tiana LLC www.crysandtiana.comStream and Download the Opening Minds, Opening Hearts Podcast NOW for FREE on Apple Podcast, Google, Amazon and Spotify!

On today’s episode, we talk with Phileena Nikole who is well known in contemplative communities and spaces where she works as a Spiritual Director and Centering Prayer Practitioner. Phileena spent her early adult life in social justice work with poor and marginalized communities. This work led her to more than 70 countries where she helped to build community among victims of human trafficking, HIV and AIDS survivors, abandoned children, child soldiers, and war brides. She is passionate about spirituality and making the world a better place. She shares how she came to the practice of Centering Prayer, how it changed her life, and has shaped her work. To connect further with us:Visit our website: www.contemplativeoutreach.orgFind us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/contemplativeoutreachltd/Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/contemplativeoutreachCheck out our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/coutreachTo learn more about Father Thomas Keating’s guidelines for service and principles visit www.contemplativeoutreach.org/vision.Season 2 of Opening Minds, Opening Hearts was made possible by a grant from the Trust for the Meditation Process, a charitable foundation encouraging meditation, mindfulness, and contemplative prayer. This episode of Opening Minds, Opening Hearts is produced by Crys & Tiana LLC www.crysandtiana.comStream and Download the Opening Minds, Opening Hearts Podcast NOW for FREE on Apple Podcast, Google, Amazon and Spotify!

On this episode, we welcome Mary Dwyer who has been practicing Centering Prayer for over 30 years. In the early 1990’s she lived in Chrysalis House, a contemplative community experiment blessed by Father Thomas, which became an incubator of practice and programs in the early years of growth for Contemplative Outreach and Centering Prayer. She attended Georgetown University and majored in economics, later she went back to school and became a licensed social worker. Mary is currently in private practice as a social worker, while serving Contemplative Outreach as a member of the community, welcoming service team, a chairperson for Contemplative Outreach, and a member of the faculty. Mary has been in complete service to the Contemplative Outreach community. We are so grateful to have her on the show. To connect further with us:Visit our website: www.contemplativeoutreach.orgFind us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/contemplativeoutreachltd/Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/contemplativeoutreachCheck out our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/coutreachTo learn more about Father Thomas Keating’s guidelines for service and principles visit www.contemplativeoutreach.org/vision.Season 2 of Opening Minds, Opening Hearts was made possible by a grant from the Trust for the Meditation Process, a charitable foundation encouraging meditation, mindfulness, and contemplative prayer. This episode of Opening Minds, Opening Hearts is produced by Crys & Tiana LLC www.crysandtiana.comStream and Download the Opening Minds, Opening Hearts Podcast NOW for FREE on Apple Podcast, Google, Amazon and Spotify!

In today’s episode, we welcome Father Justin Lanier, a Priest in the Episcopal Church. He was born in Louisiana and grew up in Delaware where he went to Methodist, Roman Catholic and Episcopal churches. Early in his formation, Father Justin entered the St. Benedict’s Trappist monastery community in Snowmass under Abbot Joseph Boyle where Father Thomas Keating was resident. Fr. Justin was under the direction of these two men until their deaths in 2018. Fr. Justin was also sent to train in a Rinzai Zen monastery in Japan as part of his formation. Throughout his formation, he has been in touch with Contemplative Outreach teachers and presenters. In this episode, we will focus on the expanding vision of the community of Contemplative Outreach.To connect further with us:Visit our website: www.contemplativeoutreach.orgFind us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/contemplativeoutreachltd/Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/contemplativeoutreachCheck out our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/coutreachTo learn more about Father Thomas Keating’s guidelines for service and principles visit www.contemplativeoutreach.org/vision.Season 2 of Opening Minds, Opening Hearts was made possible by a grant from the Trust for the Meditation Process, a charitable foundation encouraging meditation, mindfulness, and contemplative prayer. This episode of Opening Minds, Opening Hearts is produced by Crys & Tiana LLC www.crysandtiana.comStream and Download the Opening Minds, Opening Hearts Podcast NOW for FREE on Apple Podcast, Google, Amazon and Spotify!

Welcome back to season two of Opening Minds, Opening Hearts. We are your hosts, Colleen Thomas and Mark Dannenfelser and our hope this season is to open the door for you to explore more deeply this powerful practice of Centering Prayer. Each week we will talk with a guest from the contemplative community and unpack Father Thomas Keating’s principle: “Contemplative Outreach is an evolving community with an expanding vision and deepening practice of Centering Prayer that serves the changing needs of Christian contemplatives.”To connect further with us:Visit our website: www.contemplativeoutreach.orgFind us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/contemplativeoutreachltd/Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/contemplativeoutreachCheck out our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/coutreachTo learn more about Father Thomas Keating’s guidelines for service and principles visit www.contemplativeoutreach.org/vision.Season 2 of Opening Minds, Opening Hearts was made possible by a grant from the Trust for the Meditation Process, a charitable foundation encouraging meditation, mindfulness, and contemplative prayer. This episode of Opening Minds, Opening Hearts is produced by Crys & Tiana LLC www.crysandtiana.comStream and Download the Opening Minds, Opening Hearts Podcast NOW for FREE on Apple Podcast, Google, Amazon and Spotify!

Welcome back to season two of Opening Minds, Opening Hearts. Co-host Mark Dannenfelser and Colleen Thomas framed their conversation around one of Thomas Keating's guiding principles:“Contemplative Outreach is an evolving community with an expanding vision and deepening practice of Centering Prayer that serves the changing needs of Christian contemplatives.” Throughout the season, Mark and Colleen will unpack this principle with guests who are involved in the evolving contemplative community. To learn more about Father Thomas Keating’s guidelines for service and principles visit www.contemplativeoutreach.org/vision. To connect further with us:Visit our website: www.contemplativeoutreach.orgFind us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/contemplativeoutreachltd/Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/contemplativeoutreachCheck out our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/coutreachTo learn more about Father Thomas Keating’s guidelines for service and principles visit www.contemplativeoutreach.org/vision.Season 2 of Opening Minds, Opening Hearts was made possible by a grant from the Trust for the Meditation Process, a charitable foundation encouraging meditation, mindfulness, and contemplative prayer.This season of Opening Minds, Opening Hearts is produced by Crys & Tiana LLC www.crysandtiana.comStream and Download the Opening Minds, Opening Hearts Podcast NOW for FREE on Apple Podcast, Google, Amazon and Spotify!

Today, on this final episode of the first season of Opening Minds, Opening Hearts, our guest is Mark Kutolowski. He is an oblate of Saint Benedict and a Centering Prayer instructor committed to supporting the revitalization of Christian contemplation. Mark and his wife are the co-directors of Metanoia of Vermont, a lay contemplative homestead and ministry that seeks to nurture the way of Christ through work and prayer in relationship with the land. We discuss Mark's personal interactions with Father Thomas, the unity found in Centering Prayer, metanoia or a spiritual conversion that comes with contemplation, how our prayer practice is a bridge to all other areas of life and more. To connect further with Mark Kutolowski - Visit his website - Metanoia of Vermont www.metanoiavt.com - Visit Mark’s Substack https://metanoiavt.substack.com/ To connect further with us:- Visit our website: www.contemplativeoutreach.org- Find us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/contemplativeoutreachltd/- Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/contemplativeoutreach- Check out our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/coutreachStream and Download the Opening Minds, Opening Hearts Podcast NOW for FREE on Apple Podcast, Google, Amazon and Spotify!

On Today’s episode of Opening Minds, Opening Hearts, we welcome internationally acclaimed speaker, author, poet and translator of spiritual texts, Carmen Acevedo Butcher. Today she shares her thoughts on Centering Prayer practice, self-compassion, community with others, and how trauma can be turned into connection through meditation and contemplation.To connect further with Carmen Acevedo ButcherVisit her website: https://www.carmenbutcher.com/Visit her Linktree: https://linktr.ee/carmenacevedobutcherCheck out her YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/CarmenAcevedoButcherPresenceCarmen’s translations:Brother Lawrence’s Practice of the Presence (Broadleaf) now available on AudibleThe Cloud of Unknowing (Shambhala)To connect further with us:Visit our website: www.contemplativeoutreach.orgFind us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/contemplativeoutreachltd/ Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/contemplativeoutreach Check out our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/coutreach Stream and Download the Opening Minds, Opening Hearts Podcast NOW for FREE on Apple Podcast, Google, Amazon and Spotify!

On this episode of Opening Minds, Opening Hearts, Pastor Tia Norman, shares her perspective on incorporating gentleness during the practice of Centering Prayer, the relationship flow between prayer and the divine, and her thoughts on being a woman of color in the contemplative community. Tia is a teacher and guide specializing in the spirituality and practices anchored in the mystical teachings of the Christan Contemplative tradition. She serves as the Pastor of Awakenings, a contemplative community in Houston, TX and is a certified Embodied Yin and Yoga Nidra Teacher. To connect further with Pastor Tia Norman:Visit her website: https://tiaariane.comFollow her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/2btia/Check out her free Guided Meditation Download: https://mailchi.mp/9c19517d01a5/free-guided-meditation-from-tia-normanVisit Awakenings Website: http://awakeningsinc.org/Follow Awakenings on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/awakenings_inc/To connect further with us:Visit our website: www.contemplativeoutreach.orgFind us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/contemplativeoutreachltd/ Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/contemplativeoutreach Check out our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/coutreach Stream and Download the Opening Minds, Opening Hearts Podcast NOW for FREE on Apple Podcast, Google, Amazon and Spotify!

On this episode of Opening Minds, Opening Hearts, we are excited to welcome a friend of Contemplative Outreach, Father Adam Bucko. He shares how Father Thomas Keating helped shape his work and inspired him to write his new book Let Your Heartbreak be Your Guide: Lessons in Engaged Contemplation. We discuss how trauma can change how one practices Centering Prayer and the discernment that comes with remaining silent or speaking out against social justice. Father Bucko also shares his experience working with homeless youth in New York City and leading The Center for Spiritual Imagination at the Episcopal Cathedral of the Incarnation.⁣⁣𝐓𝐨 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐟𝐮𝐫𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐅𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐀𝐝𝐚𝐦 𝐁𝐮𝐜𝐤𝐨:⁣Visit his websites:⁣Father Adam Bucko: https://fatheradambucko.com/ ⁣The Center for Spiritual Imagination at the Episcopal Cathedral of the Incarnation: https://www.spiritualimagination.org/ ⁣The Buddhist-Christian Community for Meditation and Action: https://www.kairajewel.com/teaching/buddhist-christian-community-of-practice-and-actionReciprocity Foundation: https://www.reciprocityfoundation.org/⁣⁣Father Adam Bucko is the author of 𝘓𝘦𝘵 𝘠𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘏𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘣𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘬 𝘣𝘦 𝘠𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘎𝘶𝘪𝘥𝘦: 𝘓𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘌𝘯𝘨𝘢𝘨𝘦𝘥 𝘊𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘮𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯⁣And co-author of: 𝘖𝘤𝘤𝘶𝘱𝘺 𝘚𝘱𝘪𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘶𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘺: 𝘈 𝘙𝘢𝘥𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘭 𝘝𝘪𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢 𝘕𝘦𝘸 𝘎𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 and ⁣𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘕𝘦𝘸 𝘔𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘪𝘴𝘮: 𝘈𝘯 𝘐𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘱𝘪𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘶𝘢𝘭 𝘔𝘢𝘯𝘪𝘧𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘰 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘊𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘮𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘓𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨⁣⁣𝐓𝐨 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐟𝐮𝐫𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐮𝐬:⁣Visit our website: www.contemplativeoutreach.org⁣Find us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/contemplativeoutreachltd/ ⁣Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/contemplativeoutreach⁣Check out our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/coutreach⁣⁣This podcast is produced by Crys & Tiana LLC www.crysandtiana.com⁣⁣𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐦 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐃𝐨𝐰𝐧𝐥𝐨𝐚𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐎𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐬, 𝐎𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐬 𝐏𝐨𝐝𝐜𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐍𝐎𝗪 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐅𝐑𝐄𝐄 𝐨𝐧 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐏𝐨𝐝𝐜𝐚𝐬𝐭, 𝐆𝐨𝐨𝐠𝐥𝐞, 𝐀𝐦𝐚𝐳𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐩𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐲!

On this episode of Opening Minds, Opening Hearts, we are excited to welcome a friend of Contemplative Outreach, Dr. Lerita Coleman Brown. She walks us through how we can center down during our contemplative time so that we can focus on the silent space where we can hear from God instead of the chatter that pulls us away from stillness. She also encourages us to have an accurate self portrayal of ourselves and strengthen our inner, so that the prejudice and perceptions of others cannot enter. Dr. Brown promotes the renowned mystic and theologian, Howard Thurman, contemplative spirituality and uncovering the peace and joy in one’s heart. She is a professor of psychology emerita, spiritual director and companion, retreat leader, speaker, and author.To connect further with Dr. Lerita Coleman Brown:Visit her websites: www.leritacolemanbrown.com and www.peaceforhearts.comLike her on Facebook: Peace for Hearts | FacebookFollow her on Twitter: @peace4hearts Follow her on Instagram: Lerita Coleman Brown (@peaceforhearts) • Instagram photos and videosShe appears in the documentaries, Back Against the Wall: The Howard Thurman Story and The Black Church as well as several podcasts.Dr. Brown is the author of several articles, chapters, essays, and When the Heart Speaks, Listens: Discovering Inner Wisdom. Her newest book, What Makes you Come Alive: A Spiritual Walk with Howard Thurman will be released by Broadleaf Press in February and is available for pre-order now.To connect further with us:Visit our website: www.contemplativeoutreach.orgFind us on Instagram: Contemplative Outreach Ltd (@contemplativeoutreachltd) • Instagram photos and videosLike us on Facebook: (1) Contemplative Outreach | West Milford NJ | FacebookCheck out our YouTube channel: (1) coutreach - YouTubeThis podcast is produced by Crys & Tiana LLC www.crysandtiana.comStream and Download the Opening Minds, Opening Hearts Podcast NOW for FREE on Apple Podcast, Google, Amazon and Spotify!

On this very first episode of Opening Minds, Opening Hearts, we speak with author and spiritual leader, Carl Mcloman. Carl walks us through a deeper understanding of the relationships and distinctions between mystical traditions, Christian meditation, contemplation and Centering Prayer. He also helps us accept our humanness while building a healthy daily practice using silence, sacred words and the four guidelines of Centering Prayer as stated by Father Thomas Keating. Carl sees the elegance and simplicity of the method of centering prayer as a larger conversation that the Christian community is having about reclaiming this contemplative practice. To connect further with Carl McCloman:Visit his website: www.anamchara.comCheck out his course The Contemplative Study of Mystical Writings coming in January 2023 on Patreon.To provide financial support for Carl McCloman and to have access to his teachings visit his Patreon: www.patreon.com/carlmccolmanCarl McCloman is the author of many books including The Big Book of Christian Mysticism, Eternal Heart: The Mystical Path to a Joyful Life, and Unteachable Lessons: Why Wisdom Can’t Be Taught and Why That’s Okay. He is also one of the co-hosts of the Encountering Silence podcast. To connect further with us:Visit our website: www.contemplativeoutreach.orgFind us on Instagram: Contemplative Outreach Ltd (@contemplativeoutreachltd) • Instagram photos and videosLike us on Facebook: (1) Contemplative Outreach | West Milford NJ | FacebookCheck out our YouTube channel: (1) coutreach - YouTubeThis podcast is produced by Crys & Tiana LLC www.crysandtiana.comStream and Download the Opening Minds, Opening Hearts Podcast NOW for FREE on Apple Podcast, Google, Amazon and Spotify!

Are you seeking to deepen your interior life through the practice of Centering Prayer? Do you have a desire to develop a closer connection to the divine as well as those around you? Opening Minds, Opening Hearts is a podcast for both the curious meditator and long-time practitioner of Centering Prayer. On each episode, hosts Colleen Thomas and Mark Dannenfelser will reflect on the method of Centering Prayer with some friends of Contemplative Outreach who share their personal experiences of encountering God through the prayer, and through their work in the world. Topics discussed will include New Monasticism, the value of silence, the practice of contemplation and the call to social action. Through this podcast, we hope to provide new perspectives on the future of this prayer in the rapidly changing spiritual and technological landscape. Centering Prayer is a practice and a gift and we are excited to share this blessing with our listeners.