--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: One of the values of centering prayer is…" description: "\"One of the values of centering prayer is that you are not thinking about God during the time of centering prayer so you are giving God a chance to mani..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/40a/thomas-keating-10246_centering_one-of-the-values-of-centering-prayer-is_612986.jpg" --- # One of the values of centering prayer is that you are not… ![“One of the values of centering prayer is that you are not thinking about God during the time of centering prayer so you are giving God a chance to manifest. In centering prayer there are moments of peace that give the psyche a chance to realize that God may not be so bad after all. God has a…” quote by Thomas Keating](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/40a/thomas-keating-10246_centering_one-of-the-values-of-centering-prayer-is_612986.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/40a/thomas-keating-10246_centering_one-of-the-values-of-centering-prayer-is_612986.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/40a/thomas-keating-10246_centering_one-of-the-values-of-centering-prayer-is_612986.jpg) > “One of the values of centering prayer is that you are not thinking about God during the time of centering prayer so you are giving God a chance to manifest. In centering prayer there are moments of peace that give the psyche a chance to realize that God may not be so bad after all. God has a chance to be himself for a change.” [Thomas Keating](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-keating/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The practice creates mental quiet, allowing divine presence to emerge without conscious effort, fostering a more authentic perception of God. **In simple terms:** Quiet mind lets God appear naturally. Key Takeaway Embrace silence to experience God. Themes spirituality prayer inner peace Mood calm reflective Type spiritual contemplative When to use this quote - personal meditation - spiritual retreats - counseling sessions - daily quiet time Key Concepts centering prayer divine manifestation psychology Questions to Reflect On - How does silence change your view of the divine? - What inner obstacles arise in quiet moments? A Different Perspective Silence may also amplify inner anxieties rather than reveal divinity. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Centering](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/centering/) [Centering prayer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/centering-prayer/) [Chance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/chance/) [Change](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/change/) [Giving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/giving/) [God](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/god/) [Manifest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/manifest/) [Manifest Centering](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/manifest-centering-4974841/) [May](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/may/) [Moments](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/moments/) [Peace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/peace/) [Prayer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/prayer/) [Prayer Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/prayer-thinking-788312/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [Values](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/values/) [Values Centering](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/values-centering-4974840/) ## Related quotes > [Centering prayer is a training in letting go.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-keating/centering-prayer-is-a-training-in-letting-go/) [Thomas Keating](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-keating/) > [While doing centering prayer, the practice is to let go of any thought or perception. The priority is to be as silent as possible…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-keating/while-doing-centering-prayer-the-practice-is-to-let-go-of-any-thought/) [Thomas Keating](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-keating/) > [I've practiced centering prayer. I've contemplatively prayed. I've prayed liturgically... I've benefited from each, and I still do. In ways you'll see, elements of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/larry-crabb/i-ve-practiced-centering-prayer-i-ve-contemplatively-prayed-i-ve/) [Larry Crabb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/larry-crabb/) > [“Centering Prayer is an opening, a response, a putting aside of all the debris that stands in the way of our being totally present…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/basil-pennington/centering-prayer-is-an-opening-a-response-a-putting-aside-of-all-the/) [Basil Pennington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/basil-pennington/) > [Other forms of relating to God that have unique value in connecting us to Him include contemplative prayer and centering prayer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/larry-crabb/other-forms-of-relating-to-god-that-have-unique-value-in-connecting/) [Larry Crabb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/larry-crabb/) > [In centering prayer, the sacred word is not the object of the attention but rather the expression of the intention of the will.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-keating/in-centering-prayer-the-sacred-word-is-not-the-object-of-the/) [Thomas Keating](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-keating/) > [“Prayer is thinking deeply about something in the presence of God.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-cordeiro/prayer-is-thinking-deeply-about-something-in-the-presence-of-god/) [Wayne Cordeiro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-cordeiro/) > [“Thinking is indispensable on the path to passion for God. Thinking is not an end in itself. Nothing but God himself is finally an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-piper/thinking-is-indispensable-on-the-path-to-passion-for-god-thinking-is/) [John Piper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-piper/) > [Prayer, to the thinking person, is almost inescapable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marjorie-holmes/prayer-to-the-thinking-person-is-almost-inescapable/) [Marjorie Holmes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marjorie-holmes/) > [Prayer is thinking and thanking. It is thinking of our many blessings and accepting them with a thankful spirit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wilferd-peterson/prayer-is-thinking-and-thanking-it-is-thinking-of-our-many-blessings/) [Wilferd Peterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wilferd-peterson/) > [Prayer is first of all listening to God. It's openness. God is always speaking; he's always doing something. Prayer is to enter into that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-nouwen/prayer-is-first-of-all-listening-to-god-it-s-openness-god-is-always/) [Henri Nouwen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-nouwen/) > [ This mystical stream \[contemplative prayer\] is the Western bridge to Far Eastern spirituality. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tilden-edwards/this-mystical-stream-contemplative-prayer-is-the-western-bridge-to/) [Tilden Edwards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tilden-edwards/) > [“We are summoned not only to intimacy but to take possession of our very oneness with the Son of God in the inner life…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/basil-pennington/we-are-summoned-not-only-to-intimacy-but-to-take-possession-of-our/) [Basil Pennington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/basil-pennington/) > [“RESIST no thought; RETAIN no thought; REACT to no thought; RETURN to the sacred word.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cynthia-bourgeault/resist-no-thought-retain-no-thought-react-to-no-thought-return-to-the/) [Cynthia Bourgeault](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cynthia-bourgeault/) > [I also use that centering process I mentioned as a way to focus my mind and connect it to my physical body. I feel…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amanda-schull/i-also-use-that-centering-process-i-mentioned-as-a-way-to-focus-my/) [Amanda Schull](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amanda-schull/) ## More by Thomas Keating > [It is essential for world peace that the world religions make peace with each other. If they don't, we can hardly expect the nations…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-keating/it-is-essential-for-world-peace-that-the-world-religions-make-peace/) [Thomas Keating](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-keating/) > [In the Christian perspective, the love of God and of all other human beings invites us to share and enjoy not just the best…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-keating/in-the-christian-perspective-the-love-of-god-and-of-all-other-human/) [Thomas Keating](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-keating/) > [Science and technology have been embarrassed by two world wars, many smaller ones, and the spread of weapons that could destroy humanity. As a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-keating/science-and-technology-have-been-embarrassed-by-two-world-wars-many/) [Thomas Keating](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-keating/) > [“As St. Thomas Aquinas (1225–1274) taught, whatever we say about God is more unlike God than saying nothing. If we do say something, it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-keating/as-st-thomas-aquinas-1225-1274-taught-whatever-we-say-about-god-is/) [Thomas Keating](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-keating/) > [Humility is the forgetfulness of self.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-keating/humility-is-the-forgetfulness-of-self/) [Thomas Keating](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-keating/) > [God will bring people and events into our lives, and whatever we may think about them, they are designed for the evolution of His…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-keating/god-will-bring-people-and-events-into-our-lives-and-whatever-we-may/) [Thomas Keating](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-keating/) > [For human beings, the most daunting challenge is to become fully human. For to become fully human is to become fully divine.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-keating/for-human-beings-the-most-daunting-challenge-is-to-become-fully-human/) [Thomas Keating](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-keating/) > [The acceptance of all that God has given us and the willingness to let it go - to give it back to him at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-keating/the-acceptance-of-all-that-god-has-given-us-and-the-willingness-to/) [Thomas Keating](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-keating/) > [The complementary movement towards divine love is growth in humility which is the acceptence of the reality about ourselves, our own weakness and limitations.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-keating/the-complementary-movement-towards-divine-love-is-growth-in-humility/) [Thomas Keating](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-keating/) > [St. Teresa of Avila wrote: 'All difficulties in prayer can be traced to one cause: praying as if God were absent.' This is the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-keating/st-teresa-of-avila-wrote-all-difficulties-in-prayer-can-be-traced-to/) [Thomas Keating](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-keating/) > [I venture to say that it's not enough to respect and tolerate religions other than our own.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-keating/i-venture-to-say-that-it-s-not-enough-to-respect-and-tolerate/) [Thomas Keating](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-keating/) > [God's first language is Silence. Everything else is a translation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-keating/god-s-first-language-is-silence-everything-else-is-a-translation/) [Thomas Keating](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-keating/) > [Union with God is really possible. Unity with God I presume, is what is meant by Heaven, but that too is available in this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-keating/union-with-god-is-really-possible-unity-with-god-i-presume-is-what-is/) [Thomas Keating](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-keating/) > [Every time you have a major breakthrough in self-knowledge, and see the way the divine works within your own psyche, external events, and interior…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-keating/every-time-you-have-a-major-breakthrough-in-self-knowledge-and-see/) [Thomas Keating](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-keating/) > [“To live in the presence of God on a continuous basis can become a kind of fourth dimension to our three-dimensional world, forming an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-keating/to-live-in-the-presence-of-god-on-a-continuous-basis-can-become-a/) [Thomas Keating](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-keating/) [Explore all 67 Thomas Keating quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-keating/) ## More Centering quotes > [I also use that centering process I mentioned as a way to focus my mind and connect it to my physical body. I feel…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amanda-schull/i-also-use-that-centering-process-i-mentioned-as-a-way-to-focus-my/) [Amanda Schull](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amanda-schull/) > [By centering our lives on correct principles and creating a balanced focus between doing and increasing our ability to do, we become empowered to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/by-centering-our-lives-on-correct-principles-and-creating-a-balanced/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [Energy-fire experiences take us into ourselves only that we might reach outside of ourselves. Metanoia is a de-centering experience of connected-ness and community. It…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonard-sweet/energy-fire-experiences-take-us-into-ourselves-only-that-we-might/) [Leonard Sweet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonard-sweet/) > [“Probably the most important element in intricacy is centering. Good small parks typically have a place somewhere within them commonly understood to be the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-jacobs/probably-the-most-important-element-in-intricacy-is-centering-good/) [Jane Jacobs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-jacobs/) > [Live in this world, because this world gives a ripening, maturity, integrity. The challenges of this world give you a centering, an awareness. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rajneesh/live-in-this-world-because-this-world-gives-a-ripening-maturity/) [Rajneesh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rajneesh/) > [I try to influence this improvisation in two ways. One is by centering on reflections, in both senses of the word: acoustic reflections as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pauline-oliveros/i-try-to-influence-this-improvisation-in-two-ways-one-is-by-centering/) [Pauline Oliveros](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pauline-oliveros/) > [After doing this work or the past twelve years and watching scarcity ride roughshod over our families, organizations, and communities, I'd say the one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bren-brown/after-doing-this-work-or-the-past-twelve-years-and-watching-scarcity/) [Brené Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bren-brown/) > [In the beginning the church was a fellowship of men and women centering on the living Christ. Then the church moved to Greece where…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-halverson/in-the-beginning-the-church-was-a-fellowship-of-men-and-women/) [Richard Halverson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-halverson/) > [While doing centering prayer, the practice is to let go of any thought or perception. The priority is to be as silent as possible…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-keating/while-doing-centering-prayer-the-practice-is-to-let-go-of-any-thought/) [Thomas Keating](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-keating/) > [Happiness is self-generated as the mind becomes still. As we become involved with the desires of the world, we lose that centering, that stillness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/happiness-is-self-generated-as-the-mind-becomes-still-as-we-become/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [By centering our lives on timeless, unchanging principles, we create a fundamental paradigm of effective living. It is the center that puts all other…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/by-centering-our-lives-on-timeless-unchanging-principles-we-create-a/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [In time, after a dozen years of centering their lives around the games boys play with one another, the boys' bodies change and that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-pittman/in-time-after-a-dozen-years-of-centering-their-lives-around-the-games/) [Frank Pittman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-pittman/) > [“tending to household details is a centering activity equivalent to meditation,”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-ban-breathnach/tending-to-household-details-is-a-centering-activity-equivalent-to/) [Sarah Ban Breathnach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-ban-breathnach/) > [“The sensuality of her grief, thawing. Her power coming into focus, still so chaotic inside her. I love the way she splurged on this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurie-perez/the-sensuality-of-her-grief-thawing-her-power-coming-into-focus-still/) [Laurie Perez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurie-perez/) > [I've practiced centering prayer. I've contemplatively prayed. I've prayed liturgically... I've benefited from each, and I still do. In ways you'll see, elements of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/larry-crabb/i-ve-practiced-centering-prayer-i-ve-contemplatively-prayed-i-ve/) [Larry Crabb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/larry-crabb/) [Browse all 41 Centering quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/centering/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "One of the values of centering prayer is that you are not thinking about God during the time of centering prayer so you are giving God a chance to manifest. 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