Clip from Cynthia Bourgeault talk at SAND’12, California.
This talk will explores Centering Prayer—a relatively newcomer to the great Christian tradition of contemplative prayer—from the perspective of the contribution it has to bring to the growing body of data confirming the neurological underpinnings of nondual consciousness. What Christian mystics have long known as the practice of surrender, powerfully encapsulated in Centering Prayer’s distinctive method of meditation, proves itself to be a powerful foundation for the movement beyond the dualistic perception (with the subect/object dichotomy as its driveshaft) into a unified—i.e., nondual—field of perception. In addition to exploring Centering prayer Itself, we will consider the practice of surrender as a gateway to nondual perception: not only theologically, but neurologically.
About Cynthia Bourgeault
Episcopal priest, writer, and internationally known retreat leader, Cynthia Bourgeault divides her time between solitude on Eagle Island, Maine, and a demanding schedule traveling globally to teach and spread the recovery of the Christian contemplative path. She is the founding Director of both The Contemplative Society and the Aspen Wisdom School. Cynthia is the author of seven books: The Meaning of Mary Magdalene, The Wisdom Jesus, Centering Prayer and Inner Awakening, Mystical Hope, The Wisdom Way of Knowing, Chanting the Psalms, and Love is Stronger Than Death.. She has also authored or contributed to numerous articles and courses on the Christian spiritual life. She is a past Fellow of the Institute for Ecumenical and Cultural research at St. John’s Abbey in Collegeville, MN, and an oblate of New Camaldoli Monastery in Big Sur, California.
