19 episodes

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.

Opening Minds, Opening Hearts Contemplative Outreach Limited

    • Religion & Spirituality
    • 4.9 • 33 Ratings

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.

    Rev. Dr. Cynthia Bourgeault: A Common Sense of Shared Oneness

    Rev. Dr. Cynthia Bourgeault: A Common Sense of Shared Oneness

    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.org
    Books 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 Keating
    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/coutreach
    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!

    • 50 min
    Fr. Greg Boyle: Everybody is Unshakably Good. No Exceptions.

    Fr. Greg Boyle: Everybody is Unshakably Good. No Exceptions.

    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/JobsNotJails
    Fr. 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...

    • 48 min
    Rev Michael Battle: Speaking Out of the Heart of God

    Rev Michael Battle: Speaking Out of the Heart of God

    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!

    • 47 min
    Keith Kristich: A New Generation of Seekers

    Keith Kristich: A New Generation of Seekers

    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.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.com

    Stream and Download the Opening Minds, Opening Hearts Podcast NOW for FREE on Apple Podcast, Google, Amazon and Spotify!

    • 46 min
    Dr. Rory McEntee: Deepening Relationships with the Spirit and the Community

    Dr. Rory McEntee: Deepening Relationships with the Spirit and the Community

    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.com

    Stream and Download the Opening Minds, Opening Hearts Podcast NOW for FREE on Apple Podcast, Google, Amazon and Spotify!

    • 50 min
    Heather Ruce: The Wisdom Way of Knowing

    Heather Ruce: The Wisdom Way of Knowing

    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.com

    Stream and Download the Opening Minds, Opening Hearts Podcast NOW for FREE on Apple Podcast, Google, Amazon and Spotify!

    • 46 min

Customer Reviews

4.9 out of 5
33 Ratings

33 Ratings

dan4940 ,

Wonderful

Thank you, this is such a wonderful podcast.

sonomaHH ,

New insights

I have been practicing meditation for most of my adult life, Centering Prayer for ten years. I have been touched by listening to the people being interviewed on this podcast. It has introduced new points of view that have helped deepen and renew my practice.
A source of wisdom I didn’t know I needed, have received with gratitude.

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