Finding Grace at the Center: The Beginning of Centering Prayer

A 25th Anniversary 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 Father Basil Pennington, another generation will discover the amazing difference Centering Prayer can make in their lives.

Finding Grace at the Center explains:

The prayer of The Cloud of UnknowingPosture and relaxationThe three simple rules of Centering PrayerHow to cultivate Centering Prayer throughout all aspects of your lifeWhether you're familiar with Centering Prayer or just learning about it for the first time, this inspirational and informative guide will introduce you to the practice and show you how Centering Prayer can strengthen your connection to faith.

"Basil Pennington is a gifted, creative, powerful and wise teacher—one of the truly precious souls of our generation." -Lawrence Kushner, author of Invisible Lines of Connection: Sacred Stories of the Ordinary

"Father Keating writes with the simplicity and depth that emerges from more than fifty years of practicing to become a 'friend of God.'…Those of us who learn from him are grateful for—and blessed by—his gifts." -Elaine Pagels, author of Adam, Eve, and the Serpent

M. Basil Pennington, ocso was a monk for more than fifty years. He lived at St. Joseph's Abbey in Spencer, Massachusetts and was the author of many modern spiritual classics, including Lectio Divina and Centering Prayer.

Thomas Keating, ocso, is a monk, priest, and former abbot who currently lives at St. Benedict's Monastery in Snowmass, Colorado. His books include Open Mind, Open Heart and Intimacy with God.

Thomas E. Clarke, sj, is a well-known Jesuit writer and spiritual father. He now resides at Bethany Retreat Center in Highland Mills, New York.