Centering Prayer June Update (New Free course)

Greetings friend in Christ,

I hope you are well.

I'm looking forward seeing you at our next monthly gathering on June 8th at 10 am (eastern) (see below for link).

Questions I'm Pondering

I've learned three simple questions that help me refocus and recenter when I feel stuck. Perhaps they will help too. They are perfect to ask after sitting in silence for 15–20 minutes:

What must I stop doing?

What must I start doing?

What must I keep doing?

1. Our next Centering Prayer Gathering will be June 8 at 10am (eastern) 

Please note the shift in time to 10 am eastern. 

Our topic for June will be "Centering Prayer and Hearing God's Call"

Respond to this email to get link.

If you have friends who are interested in joining us, please have them email me so that I can add them to the list: deepdivespirituality@gmail.com or they can sign up at: www.centeringprayerbook.com

2. I've launched a new course to help you learn how to practice centering prayer or to improve your present practice. It's free and available here: How To Practice Centering Prayer for Spiritual Growth

3. On my YouTube channel during January, I created a new Playlist of 31 Transformational questions to help you grow in love for God and neighbor. These are a series of 1 minutes videos to help you move forward in 2024. They are the most powerful questions that I've been asked or asked myself. If you are interested, check out the playlist here: 31 Transformational Questions to Help You Grow

4. My latest book Astonished by the Word: Reading Scripture for Deep Transformation is available now: https://amzn.to/3DQ427A 

 I reflect on lessons for reading Scripture that combine contemplative spirituality with all that I've learned teaching, preaching, and writing on the Bible for the last 30 years. Thank you for your support.

If you've already read it, I'd be truly grateful if you'd leave a review on Amazon or Goodreads as it will help others to find the book.

Also if you use the book in a group setting of at least 10 people and my schedule permits, I am willing to attend (via zoom) one of the meetings to answer questions. Of course my presence is complimentary as a way of thanking and serving my readers. By the way, I offer this same option for groups using my Centering Prayer: Sitting Quietly in God's Presence Can Change Your Life.

5. Links to Previous Gatherings in 2023-24 (Teaching Segments only):

February 2023 Gathering: Divine Therapy: How God Heals Through Silence

March Gathering: Answering Common Objections and Obstacles to Centering Prayer

April Gathering: Insights from the Cloud of Unknowing

May Gathering: Practicing God's Presence After Centering Prayer

July Gathering: Letting Go and Letting God

August Gathering: Reflections on O'Madagáin's Centering Prayer and the Healing of the Unconscious

October Gathering: Reflections on the Experience of Divine Union

November Gathering: Showing Up as Your God Given Self 

December Gathering: Centering Prayer and the Elimination of Hurry

February 2024 Gathering: Reflections on the Meaning of "Be Still and Know that I am God"

March 2024 Gathering: How to Anchor Your Soul in the Divine

May 2024 Gathering: Observing and "Owning" Our Inner World

6. Additional Resources

a. If you have questions about centering prayer, send them my way and I’ll answer them via email or create a video that answers the question.

b. I'm continuing to build a playlist on centering prayer on YouTube: Dr. Brian Russell’s Centering Prayer Playlist

c. Here are my recommended books for deepening your understanding and practice of centering prayer: Brian's Top Ten Favorite Resources

d. I’m also happy to join any groups using my book Centering Prayer for an hour of reflection and prayer time. Email me: deepdivespirituality@gmail.com to set up a time for a Zoom call with your centering prayer group.

Blessings on your life and ministry! 

Peace,

Brian Russell