An Interview with Lindsay Boyer
about Centering Prayer for Everyone

 Why did you write Centering Prayer for Everyone?

Contemplative prayer can be a bit intimidating because it's so different from our regular way of being.  I wanted to write a book that would show that it can be simple and easy to begin practicing right away.  I have gathered in one small volume everything needed to practice contemplative prayer: concise, simple instructions, formats that can be tailored to daily individual and group practice, an anthology of readings, and suggestions for further exploration for those who would like to go deeper.

This book is also designed to be helpful and encouraging for contemplative group leaders, providing detailed, practical advice based on twenty years experience of leading groups, workshops, and retreats.

Who is Centering Prayer for Everyone for?

This book is written in inclusive language to appeal to anyone who would like to meditate in the presence of God, including Christians, meditators from other traditions, and twelve step members.  I’ve met many people who were drawn to spending time in silent meditation, but who had trouble finding the right meditation practice for them.  Some people who were raised in the Christian tradition turn away from the God language of their childhood towards Buddhist and mindfulness meditation and that can be a very healing place for them.  But at a certain point those same people may find that they still believe in God and experience the presence of God in their meditation, and they may find themselves longing for language that acknowledges their sense of the sacred.  I try to offer the silence of centering prayer in a way that acknowledges people’s longing for God while being sensitive to their possible discomforts about religion. This can include Christians with a sensitivity to religious language and those who aren't sure what they believe.  It can also include people from the twelve-step tradition who are looking for an eleventh step practice that acknowledges their higher power but who are uncomfortable with strongly religious language.

What is contemplative prayer?

The meditation practices described in this book come from the Christian tradition, rooted in scripture and in classic Christian spiritual writings.  I’ve used inclusive language to describe them so that they can be used by anyone who believes in God and is drawn to spending time in silence. They differ from more secular forms of meditation in that they are based on a faith in God and are all ways of saying yes to God’s transformational presence. 

How did Centering Prayer for Everyone come into being?

This book arose out of thirteen years of experience of leading a contemplative prayer group at Grace Church Brooklyn Heights. Grace Church practices radical welcome and our group has always been extremely friendly and inclusive, explicitly welcoming all those who would like to sit with us in silence and inviting them to bring all of themselves, whatever their doubts or beliefs.  Our group combines inclusive language with a appreciation of ritual, incorporating chanting, beautiful prayers and readings, and our approach has evolved into the programs offered in this book.

How is Centering Prayer for Everyone organized?

The book begins with a key chapter, “Who is God for You?”  The sixteenth century mystic Teresa of Avila believed that all difficulties in prayer come from praying as if God is absent.  This chapter invites readers to reflect on their own living sense of God, whatever that might be, as they embark on the practices described in the book. 

The book is organized into four sections. First there are concise guides to five different contemplative practices: centering prayer, a form of silent, wordless meditation; lectio divina, a way of listening to a reading with the ear of the heart; visio divina, a form of divine seeing in which we contemplate an image with the eye of the heart; walking meditation, a method of moving through space while remaining fully present, bringing meditation into action; and chanting the psalms, a simple practice of singing ancient prayers.  Plus there are chapters on how to share in a group, some tips for practicing at home, and reflections on the need for practicing in community. 

Second, there is a section of very practical, specific advice for group leaders on how to begin a centering prayer group, how to lead an online group, how to lead a quiet day, and what it means to be a contemplative leader.  

The third section collects programs that can be used by a regular group, a digital group, or by an individual practicing at home.  These programs incorporate beautiful prayers as well as instructions and formats for the practices. This section can be used as a prayer book for groups who would like to follow the programs it contains., either in person or online.

The book ends with an anthology of readings in inclusive language that can be used in the programs and in lectio divina, including passages from scripture and the spiritual classics, poems, and readings from the Buddhist meditation tradition, plus a list of resources for those who would like to go deeper into the practices described in the book.  

My hope is that the book collects in one place everything readers need to engage in these practices.  I want to encourage everyone to plunge right into the practices and provide practical advice to those who feel drawn towards contemplative leadership.

Tell us about Centering Prayer for Everyone’s timely emphasis on online centering prayer groups.

I’ve been leading contemplative prayer groups on Skype and Zoom for eight years now.  I teach on digital spiritual practice at General Theological Seminary and have been a leader in helping meditation groups come online during the coronavirus crisis.  The book has two chapters specifically on digital groups, a guide for leaders of digital prayer groups, and a program of specific instructions adapted for use in groups by videoconference.  I find the practice of contemplative prayer in digital groups very moving and many people have told to me how surprised they are to discover that online groups can have the same powerful energy as in person groups.

What would you most like people to know about Centering Prayer for Everyone?

This is a book for people who are drawn to spending time in silence.  It describes meditation practices that can help people to rest in silence in a fruitful way. It doesn't make any assumptions about what you believe. It tries to make room for you to bring yourself as you are, with all your longings, doubts and fears. 

There are seekers out there filled with deep spiritual longing who aren't even sure quite what they're longing for. I hope this book offers them some clues and encouragement.

At the same time there are many people who have devoted years to these contemplative practices who may be drawn to leadership roles yet hesitant to put themselves forward.  This book has a lot of practical advice and encouragement to offer these leaders as they continue to come into their authority.