Contemplative Outreach of Greater Vancouver (COGV) “Be still and know that I am God.” Psalms 46:10 Welcome Who we are OGV is a Chapter of Contemplative Outreach Ltd. an organization which provides resources to support the practice of Centering Prayer to a network of individuals and small faith communities throughout the world. ur Chapter currently serves 16 Centering Prayer groups. ("click" on "Centering Prayer Groups" on the navigation bar to locate groups.) or those seeking a deeper intimacy with God through the contemplative dimension of the Gospel, we bring the resources of the worldwide organization to groups and individuals who practice Centering Prayer locally. An important aspect of our service is to provide workshops, silent centering prayer retreats, and Introduction to Centering Prayer programs. Please see our "Coming Events" page for currently planned activities. To explore how you may begin the process of introducing Centering Prayer to your faith community, please see our brochure “Centering Prayer for Congregations and Parishes... Supporting the Inner Life of your Faith Community.” For information, please contact: Judith Donaldson, Coordinator Contemplative Outreach of Greater Vancouver Email: juditha_donaldson@telus.net OGV shares the Vision and Theological Principles of Contemplative Outreach Ltd. and is privileged to be guided by that organization's philosophy and underlying principles. We invite you to visit the designated page of the Navigation Bar to gain an understanding of what shapes the worldwide network of Contemplative Outreach, including COGV. What is Centering Prayer? When you want to pray, go to your inner room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. Matthew 6.6. Centering Prayer is a method of prayer that prepares us to receive the gift of God’s presence, traditionally called contemplative prayer. It consists of responding to the Spirit of Christ by consenting to God's presence and action within. Centering Prayer facilitates the movement from more active modes of prayer into a receptive prayer of resting in God. It is at the same time a relationship with God and a discipline to foster that relationship. Centering Prayer is drawn from ancient prayer practices of the Christian contemplative heritage, notably the Mothers and Fathers of the Desert tradition, Lectio Divina (praying the scriptures), The Cloud of Unknowing, and the writings of St. John of the Cross, St. Teresa of Avila and Thomas Merton, among many others. Centering Prayer does not take the place of other prayer and devotions. Rather it may deepen the experience of other forms of worship by offering a way of quieting our faculties and preparing us to be more receptive to God’s presence. What is Contemplative Outreach, Ltd. Silence, Solitude and Service “Transforming the Heart of the World” For over 25 years, Contemplative Outreach has been dedicated to transmitting the living tradition of the contemplative Christian heritage through the teachings of Fr. Thomas Keating and through programs and offerings that support the contemplative life for those in ordinary life. Its principal purpose is to share the method and conceptual background of Centering Prayer. Contemplative Outreach seeks relationship with the Ultimate Reality through listening to God's first language, seeking also to listen to the promptings of the Spirit and to respond accordingly. Today, Contemplative Outreach annually: Serves over 40,000 people Supports over 120 active chapters in 39 countries Supports over 800 prayer groups with over 5,000 group members Teaches over 15,000 new people the practice of Centering Prayer and other contemplative practices through local hosted workshops Provides training and resource to local chapters and volunteers Communicates and archives the wisdom teachings of Fr. Thomas Keating through books, audio and visual media, the internet, teleconferences, articles and more. “We wait patiently; in silence, openness, and quiet expectancy, motionless within and without. We surrender to the attraction to be still, to be loved, just to be.” - Thomas Keating, Open Mind Open Heart “Silence is God’s first language; everything else is a poor translation. In order to hear that language, we must learn to be still and to rest in God.” - Thomas Keating, Invitation to Love “Total response to Christ is only possible when we hear his word on every level of our being, including the deepest level, which is that of interior silence.” - Thomas Keating, Heart of the World Navigate COGV Home Centering Prayer Groups Vision & Theological Principles of Contemplative Outreach Our Logo Coming Events Contemplative Life Program Lectio Divina Reflections Book Reviews Links Chapter News Contemplative Outreach E–NEWS Bulletin Contact Us Bookmark Us Copyright & Privacy Info Support COGV STAY CONNECTED Sign up for monthly E-news from Contemplative Outreach Ltd. Enter your email address below. THE GIFTING PROCESS Help build and sustain the Centering Prayer movement. © Contemplative Outreach of Greater Vancouver